The Port of Tacoma is a major container gateway in the US Pacific Northwest (PNW), serving the Seattle-Tacoma market and providing excellent connectivity to Amazon FBA warehouses in Washington state. This guide covers everything you need to know about FCL shipping from China to Tacoma.
Port of Tacoma Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Commencement Bay, Washington State |
| Terminal Operators | Washington United Terminals (WUT), Husky Terminal |
| Annual Throughput | ~3.5 million TEU |
| Key Advantage | Less congestion than LA/LB, faster vessel turnaround |
| Rail Connection | BNSF and Union Pacific on-dock rail |
| Nearest Amazon FC | UWA1 (Sumner, WA) — 12 miles from port |
The Port of Tacoma is part of the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), which manages marine cargo operations at both Tacoma and Seattle ports.
Why Choose Tacoma Over LA/Long Beach?
| Factor | Tacoma (PNW) | LA/Long Beach (PSW) |
|---|---|---|
| Transit from China | 15-19 days | 13-16 days |
| Port congestion | Low-moderate | Moderate-high |
| Drayage cost | Lower ($300-450) | Higher ($350-550) |
| Warehouse access | UWA1, UWA2, SEA4, SEA6 | ONT8, LAX9, SBD1 |
| Rail to Midwest | Faster via BNSF | Longer transit |
| Peak season impact | Less severe | More severe |
When Tacoma is the better choice: If your Amazon FBA warehouse is UWA1, UWA2, or any Pacific Northwest FC, shipping via Tacoma saves 2-4 days and $200-400 per container in drayage.
Carrier Options: China to Tacoma
| Alliance | Carrier | Service | From | Transit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OA | COSCO | PNW → Tacoma | Yantian/Shanghai | 15-18 days | Stable, large volume |
| OA | OOCL | PNW → Tacoma | Yantian | 15-17 days | Reliable, good space |
| OA | Evergreen | PNW → Tacoma | Ningbo | 16-19 days | Cost-effective |
| Gemini | Maersk | TP7 → Tacoma | Shanghai | 16-18 days | >90% reliability |
| Gemini | Hapag-Lloyd | PNW → Tacoma | Ningbo | 16-19 days | Premium service |
| Premier | ONE | PNW → Tacoma | Yantian | 16-19 days | Flexible booking |
| Premier | HMM | PNW → Tacoma | Qingdao | 17-20 days | DG cargo specialist |
Container Types and Practical Capacity
| Type | External Dimensions | Practical Capacity | Max Payload | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 26-28 m³* | 21,700 kg | Heavy/dense cargo |
| 40GP | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 54-58 m³ | 26,500 kg | General cargo |
| 40HQ | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m | 65-68 m³ | 26,500 kg | Most FBA shipments |
| 45HQ | 13.72 × 2.44 × 2.90 m | 75-78 m³ | 27,600 kg | Light, bulky goods |
*20GP theoretical capacity is ~33 m³, but stowage limitations reduce usable volume to 26-28 m³.
Amazon FBA Delivery from Tacoma
| Warehouse | Location | Distance | Drayage Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UWA1 | Sumner, WA | 12 miles | $300-400 |
| UWA2 | Sumner, WA | 12 miles | $300-400 |
| SEA4 | Kent, WA | 20 miles | $350-450 |
| SEA6 | Kent, WA | 20 miles | $350-450 |
For more Amazon warehouse codes, see our FBA Warehouse Directory.
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Request a QuoteFAQ
How long does FCL take from China to Tacoma? Transit time is 15-19 days port-to-port, depending on origin port and carrier. Door-to-door including customs is 22-30 days.
Is Tacoma cheaper than Long Beach? Ocean freight rates are similar (±5%), but Tacoma offers lower drayage costs ($300-450 vs $350-550) and less congestion, especially during peak season. For PNW Amazon warehouses, Tacoma is significantly cheaper overall.
Which Amazon warehouses can I deliver to from Tacoma? UWA1, UWA2, SEA4, SEA6, and SEA49 are all within 25 miles of the Port of Tacoma. Drayage takes 1-2 hours and costs $300-450 per container.
