Los Angeles, United States
Customs clearance in Los Angeles
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Los Angeles. Customs clearance in the United States is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Industries in Los Angeles and how we support them
Southern California imports large volumes of consumer goods, apparel and electronics from Asia and has a strong aerospace and defence industry around El Segundo, Long Beach and the high desert. The entertainment industry regularly ships camera, lighting and stage equipment on a temporary basis. We support these flows with air freight under our own air waybills via LAX and ONT, FCL and LCL sea freight through the San Pedro Bay ports, Next Flight Out for aerospace parts and On-Board Courier for prototypes. For temporary equipment we prepare the customs documents, including ATA carnets where applicable.
Operational logistics facts for Los Angeles
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Freighter and belly capacity to Asia and the Pacific | Main West Coast air cargo gateway |
| Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach | FCL/LCL containers from Asia | Busiest container port complex in the US |
| Ontario International Airport (ONT) | Air cargo close to Inland Empire warehouses | Shorter trucking to the main distribution centres |
| Alameda Corridor rail line | Port-to-rail container transfer | Efficient rail link for inland destinations |
Airports, seaports and connections in Los Angeles
- AirportLos Angeles International
LAX - AirportOntario
ONT - SeaportPorts of Los Angeles and Long Beach
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main air cargo airport on the US West Coast, with heavy freighter and belly capacity to Asia and the Pacific. Ontario International Airport (ONT), in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles, is a fast-growing cargo airport close to the region's large warehouse districts. By sea, the neighbouring Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in San Pedro Bay together form the busiest container port complex in the United States and the main US gateway for trade with Asia.
The Alameda Corridor is a dedicated rail line carrying containers from the San Pedro Bay ports to the rail yards near downtown Los Angeles, from where they continue east. Trucks use I-710, I-110, I-405 and I-5, while I-10 and State Route 60 lead to the Inland Empire distribution centres around Ontario, Riverside and San Bernardino. Traffic congestion is a real planning factor for delivery windows.
Clearance through the Ziem network in the United States
In the United States, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
Customs clearance in the United States
Ziem network
Customs clearance in the United States is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from the United States we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the United States need an importer of record number and, for most formal entries, a customs bond.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in the United States can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
Who handles customs clearance for shipments into Los Angeles?
Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures with the shipment data we prepare. You deal only with Ziem Logistics. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via ACE.
Can film and stage equipment enter the US temporarily via LAX?
Yes. Professional equipment can enter temporarily under an ATA carnet or a temporary importation under bond, provided it is re-exported within the permitted period. We check the equipment list and documents with you before the shipment departs.
What is required for ocean imports from Asia through Long Beach or Los Angeles?
The Importer Security Filing (ISF) must be filed before loading at origin. You also need an importer of record number, a customs bond for most formal entries, and a commercial invoice with correct HTSUS codes. Some goods also face additional duties depending on their origin.