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Yantian to Long Beach Ocean Freight: 2026 Rates, Transit Time & Schedules

Direct FCL and LCL service from Yantian, China to Long Beach, CA (LBCT). 13-20 day transit, all major carriers (Matson, COSCO, OOCL, ZIM, MSK), and dock-to-door FBA delivery to ONT8, LAX9, SNA4, and Inland Empire warehouses.

Quick Facts: Yantian → Long Beach

Lane Snapshot
13-20dDoor-to-door
10-14dAt sea
$2.5-5K40HQ (off-peak)
8+Carriers

Service Snapshot: 8 Carriers on the Yantian-LB Lane

AllianceCarrierRoutesAvg TransitBest For
OAOOCLPVSC, PCC1 → LBCT14-18 daysReliable schedules, freezers
OACOSCOSEA, SEAX → LBCT14-16 daysBest standard service, fast pickup at LBCT
OACMAEXX, EX1 → LA14-18 daysTime-sensitive cargo, Oakland alternative
OAEMCHTW, CPS → LA13-14 daysStable schedules, fixed delivery
PremierONEPSW → LB14-18 daysAmple space, Hawaii transshipment
PremierYMLPSW → LB15-20 days45HQ available off-season
GeminiHPLPSW → LB15-18 daysAdvantageous prices
Indep.ZIMZEX e-commerce → LB12-14 daysFastest from Yantian, stable schedules
GeminiMSKTP6, Pearl15-22 daysAmple space, transparent pricing
PremierHMMPSW → LB15-20 daysBattery goods, dangerous goods, freezers
OtherMatsonCLX (from Shanghai)10-11 daysFastest overall, premium price
OtherWHLPSW → LB16-22 daysCheapest, longer transit

Note: Transit times are estimates. Actual times vary by vessel rotation, port congestion, and customs clearance. Contact us for current sailing schedules.

Alliance update (2025+): The former 2M and THE Alliances have been restructured. Current three major alliances: Ocean Alliance (OA) — COSCO, CMA CGM, Evergreen, OOCL; Gemini Cooperation — Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd (target >90% schedule reliability); Premier Alliance — ONE, HMM, Yang Ming. ZIM operates independently.

Port-to-Port vs. Dock-to-Door Service

Port-to-Port (CY to CY)

You book space on a vessel, the carrier loads at Yantian, and the container is discharged at LBCT (Long Beach Container Terminal). You arrange customs clearance, drayage, and final-mile delivery yourself. This is the cheapest option if you have a US entity, customs broker, and trucking partner.

Dock-to-Door (Recommended for FBA sellers)

The forwarder handles everything from Yantian port loading to final delivery at your Amazon FBA warehouse. This includes:

Container Types & Dimensions

ContainerInternal L×W×H (m)Door W×H (m)CapacityMax Cargo
20GP5.89 × 2.35 × 2.362.33 × 2.2626-28 m³*21,700 kg
40GP12.05 × 2.35 × 2.362.33 × 2.2668 m³26,500 kg
40HQ12.05 × 2.35 × 2.692.33 × 2.5976 m³26,500 kg
45HQ13.56 × 2.35 × 2.702.34 × 2.5885 m³27,600 kg

For FBA sellers, 40HQ is the most common choice — best balance of volume and cost. Use 20GP for heavy cargo (machinery, dense products). Use 45HQ for light, bulky goods where you need extra volume.

* 20GP theoretical capacity is ~33 m³, but in practice cargo stowage limitations, door clearance, and pallet arrangement reduce usable volume to 26-28 m³. Always plan loading based on practical capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship from Yantian to Long Beach?
Standard ocean freight takes 13-20 days door-to-door. At-sea portion is typically 11-14 days; the remainder is port handling, customs clearance, and final-mile delivery. Matson CLX express service is the fastest at 10-12 days.
Which carrier is fastest from Yantian to Long Beach?
Matson CLX (China-Long Beach Express) is fastest at 10-11 days, sailing from Shanghai. From Yantian specifically, ZIM ZEX e-commerce route takes 12-14 days with fast unloading at LBCT. COSCO SEA averages 14-16 days.
What is the cheapest way to ship from Yantian to Long Beach?
For FCL, MSK, HMM, HPL, ONE, and WHL are typically the cheapest. For LCL (less than container load), sea LCL is significantly cheaper than air freight. Off-peak season (Nov-July) offers the best rates; book 3-4 weeks ahead for space during peak season (Aug-Oct).
When is peak season for Yantian to Long Beach?
Peak season runs August through October (Black Friday and Christmas preparation), with a secondary peak in March-April. Expect 2-3x rate increases, space shortages, cargo rolling (cargo left behind), and longer transit times during peak.
Can I ship FBA cargo directly from Yantian to Long Beach?
Yes. With dock-to-door service, cargo unloads at LBCT and is delivered by truck to your assigned Amazon FBA warehouse. Inland Empire warehouses (ONT8, LAX9, SNA4) are 1-2 hours from LBCT — one of the fastest FBA lanes from China.
Do I need ISF (10+2) for Yantian to Long Beach shipments?
Yes. ISF (Importer Security Filing) must be filed at least 24 hours before vessel loading at Yantian. Your US customs broker or freight forwarder typically handles this. Missing ISF results in $5,000 fines per shipment.

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