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Get a quoteBonded Drayage at the Port of Los Angeles
In-bond pickups from San Pedro, Wilmington and Terminal Island terminals, carried across the harbor under our bond before demurrage starts.
Bonded drayage in Los Angeles: in-bond moves from the busiest U.S. port
Our bonded drayage Los Angeles service pulls containers that CBP has not yet released from Port of Los Angeles terminals and carries them under our bonded carrier authority to the destination on the in-bond. Most go across the harbor to our customs-bonded warehouse in Long Beach; others go to an inland port for entry or toward the border for export.
The Port of Los Angeles has been the top U.S. container port every year since 2000 and handled about 10.2 million TEUs in 2025. Its Harbor District covers 7,500 acres of land and water along 43 miles of waterfront, with terminals in San Pedro, Wilmington and on Terminal Island. At that scale, a meaningful number of containers on any vessel need bonded transportation in Los Angeles because their entries are not ready when free time starts running. Our Port of Los Angeles overview covers the port more broadly.
Port of Los Angeles geography for in-bond pickups
Where a container sits inside the Los Angeles harbor shapes the in-bond leg to our Long Beach facility.
| Area | What is there | Cross-harbor route to our Long Beach bonded warehouse |
|---|---|---|
| San Pedro (west side of the main channel) | Container terminals along the West Basin and the San Pedro waterfront, plus port administration | Across the Vincent Thomas Bridge (SR-47) to Terminal Island, then east into Long Beach |
| Wilmington (north end of the harbor) | Terminals and container yards near the inner harbor and the I-110 and SR-47 corridors | East on surface routes or SR-47 toward Terminal Island and Long Beach |
| Terminal Island | Large container terminals on the island the two ports share | Shortest cross-harbor leg; a direct move east into Long Beach |
Serving Los Angeles bonded freight from across the harbor
Our dispatch, chassis and bonded warehouse are in Long Beach, but the in-bond legs from Los Angeles terminals are short. Terminal Island is shared by both ports, and most Los Angeles container terminals are a single bridge crossing from Long Beach. For bonded trucking in Wilmington and San Pedro, that short distance matters: the container gets to a bonded facility the same day it out-gates, arrival posts in ACE well inside the two-business-day window, and the empty can go back to the ocean carrier quickly.
Because one company pulls the box and receives it, the in-bond names one bonded carrier and one destination. There is no transfer of custody between a Los Angeles trucker and a Long Beach warehouse to document, which removes a common source of arrival and seal discrepancies.
When the port of discharge, Los Angeles or Long Beach, matters
| Question | Why it matters for a Los Angeles in-bond |
|---|---|
| Which port does the bill of lading show for discharge? | The in-bond's origin must match where the cargo was unladen. A vessel that calls both ports may discharge your box at either, so confirm before filing. |
| Is the destination FIRMS code our Long Beach facility? | An IT from a Los Angeles terminal can name our Long Beach bonded warehouse as its destination. Filing it to the wrong facility forces an amendment or diversion. |
| Does the terminal show the in-bond release? | Los Angeles terminals each show CBP movement authorization and holds in their own systems. We check before booking the appointment. |
| Is the cargo going to an inland port instead? | The same pickup can start an IT to another U.S. port. Diversion later does not extend the 30-day in-transit limit. |
How a Los Angeles bonded drayage move runs
- 01Send the in-bond details
We need the in-bond number and type, bill of lading, container and seal numbers, terminal and last free day, and the destination FIRMS code.
- 02Terminal check and appointment
We confirm availability and holds at the Los Angeles terminal and book a pickup appointment, assigning one of our own 20', 40' or triaxle chassis.
- 03Gate, seal and cross-harbor move
The driver verifies the seal against the in-bond and brings the container directly across the harbor or to the in-bond destination.
- 04Arrival and next steps
We report arrival to CBP within two business days, notify your broker, and unload into bonded storage so the broker can file the warehouse entry within 15 days. Details of each rule are in our in-bond shipments guide.
Los Angeles in-bond pitfalls we watch for
- Discharge port changes. Some vessels call both San Pedro Bay ports. If the box is discharged at a different port than planned, the in-bond origin must be corrected before pickup.
- Terminal-specific holds. Each Los Angeles terminal shows customs, line and fee holds in its own system. An approved in-bond does not clear a freight or terminal fee hold.
- Bridge and gate timing. Cross-harbor traffic and gate queues peak at shift changes. We schedule appointments to keep the bonded move direct and same-day.
- Heavy boxes. Heavier 20' containers often need a triaxle chassis to stay within legal axle weights, and we confirm weight before dispatch.
- Free time. Filing the in-bond before the last free day is what keeps a delayed entry from turning into demurrage.
- Exam selections. A container selected for CBP examination moves under CBP direction first. The in-bond pickup follows once CBP authorizes it.
Example: a Wilmington pickup ahead of the last free day
Example with hypothetical numbers: a furniture importer's container discharges at a Los Angeles terminal on Monday with free time ending Friday. A partner-agency document is delayed about a week. The broker files an IT to our Long Beach bonded warehouse on Wednesday; we pull the box Thursday, report arrival the same day and return the empty Friday. The importer avoids roughly a week of terminal storage and files a warehouse entry, then withdraws the goods once the document clears.
More on bonded drayage and storage
For the full in-bond rules, pricing factors and how to choose a carrier, see our national bonded drayage page. Our home-port service is described on bonded drayage in Long Beach, and storage for Los Angeles cargo is covered on bonded warehousing for Port of Los Angeles imports.
Containers that clear customs before pickup move on our standard Los Angeles drayage service, and released freight can be transloaded near the Port of Los Angeles or delivered by full truckload.
Frequently asked questions
Can you move uncleared containers from the Port of Los Angeles?
Yes. We hold bonded carrier authority and pull in-bond containers from Port of Los Angeles terminals in San Pedro, Wilmington and Terminal Island to our Long Beach bonded warehouse or another approved destination.
How far is your bonded warehouse from the Port of Los Angeles?
Our customs-bonded warehouse is in Long Beach, across the harbor. Terminal Island terminals are the closest; San Pedro and Wilmington terminals are typically one bridge crossing away.
Can an in-bond from a Los Angeles terminal end at a Long Beach warehouse?
Yes. The in-bond's origin is where the cargo was unladen and its destination is the bonded facility's FIRMS code. Your broker files it to our facility, and we report arrival there.
Do you charge differently for Los Angeles and Long Beach pickups?
Pricing depends on the terminal, the destination and the container, so ask for a quote for your specific move. Cross-harbor in-bond legs are short in either direction.
How long do I have to deliver an in-bond from Los Angeles?
Delivery to the destination must happen within 30 days of arrival or movement authorization, whichever is later. A cross-harbor move to our warehouse normally takes a single day.
What if my container is at a Los Angeles terminal but the entry might clear in a day or two?
If release is likely before the last free day, a regular drayage pickup is simpler. If the entry problem could outlast free time, filing the in-bond early gives you the option to move the box without waiting. Your broker can advise which path fits the specific hold.
Can you handle T&E moves from Los Angeles to Mexico?
Yes. Under a T&E in-bond, we pull the container at the Los Angeles terminal and move it under bond toward the border, and the exportation is reported to CBP.