For any business shipping goods to, from, or through Los Angeles, understanding how freight transportation works in the area is crucial. However, this can be a complicated topic, especially for new businesses exploring it for the first time.
To help make things a little simpler, we’ve created this cheat sheet covering key aspects of freight shipping in Los Angeles.
While countless businesses transport freight here and there, some depend on cargo shipping more than others. Shipping companies in Los Angeles and Southern California play an integral role in supporting a wide variety of industries.
Here are some of the key industries and product types influencing shipping in Los Angeles:
Freight shipping brings the majority of consumer goods into Los Angeles for retailers to sell. A few examples are:
Local manufacturers also rely on freight shipping companies in Los Angeles to move their products out of the area to retailers across the country (and beyond). For example, for clothing manufacturers based in Los Angeles, apparel shipping is vital for delivering goods to retail suppliers in and out of the local area.
Freight shipping in Los Angeles frequently brings metals, woods, and supplies for agricultural work into the area.
Fuel and energy supplies often flow into California via Los Angeles.
Moving goods between countries is a major reason why so many companies depend on shipping service providers.
For example, US businesses often work with suppliers in Mexico to cost-effectively source products and supplies. Companies dealing with cross-border shipping into or out of Mexico may work with a reliable shipping company in Los Angeles to help manage international freight logistics.
Many agricultural products are shipped out of Los Angeles to other areas of the country and internationally. These include:
Businesses in manufacturing and other industries rely on freight shipping in Los Angeles to source everything from scrap metal to chemicals.
These are the main freight methods that shippers use to send cargo to or through Los Angeles.
Millions of tons of freight arrive on ships each year via the Port of Los Angeles, an enormous seaport covering more than 7,500 acres.
In 2023 alone, it had a trade volume of 8.6 million containers. In the same year, the major imports arriving at this Los Angeles shipping port were:
The biggest exports were:
Rail is another major shipping mode in the area. The Port of Los Angeles has America’s biggest network of on-dock and near-dock rail services. Around 35% of intermodal containers use the Port’s rail network, which serves all seven container terminals at the Port.
Trucking is a critical transportation method in the US, and L.A. (and Southern California in general) boasts many freeways that serve as major trucking routes. Some of the busiest freeways include Interstate 405, I-10, and Interstate 15.
In Los Angeles, peak shipping season is from mid-August to mid-October, though November to December is also busy (due to the holidays). See our guide to freight shipping seasons for more on how transportation patterns change during the year.
However, the Port of Los Angeles has seen an increase in shipping activity during months that are traditionally slower. Specifically, it processed almost 25% more freight in the first four months of 2024 than during the same period the previous year. Companies that rely on shipping in Los Angeles should keep in mind the high volumes of cargo that flow in and out of the area at all times of year when planning their shipments.
Shipping freight to and from LA can be complicated, especially for businesses unfamiliar with local freight operations. Partnering with reliable freight shipping companies in LA will help simplify the process, but how do you choose the right one?
Look for freight companies that offer a range of key shipping services, including:
They should also have experience dealing with businesses in your industry and can provide honest advice on shipping into and out of Los Angeles and Southern California.
DTS offers all of the above, with competitive rates, best-in-class proactive service, and more than 30 years of experience.
We help companies of all sizes across industries with shipping in the L.A. area and nationwide. Our dedicated team is ready to help. Get in touch to learn more.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
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