Urgent and higher-value cargo
Air freight + delivery
3–7 planning days
Air freight suits Xiamen to Los Angeles when inventory timing matters more than the lowest unit cost. Chargeable weight uses the greater of actual and volumetric weight, and batteries, liquids, magnets, oversized pieces and regulated products require separate acceptance.
Bulk cargo and planned replenishment
Ocean freight + inland delivery
19–26 planning days
Ocean freight suits Xiamen to Los Angeles when volume, density and cost control outweigh urgency. FCL and LCL have different origin charges, destination handling, minimums, cutoffs and delivery arrangements, so a per-kilogram reference must not be confused with a complete container quotation.
Decision points before booking
Origin-side planning
Compare first-mile access to Ezhou (EHU), Hong Kong (HKG), Xiamen, Yantian and Shanghai using supplier location, cargo-ready date and export cutoff. The lowest international rate can be offset by an inefficient China feeder.
Destination-side planning
Compare arrival through Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Long Beach and Oakland and include customs release, rail or truck handoff, destination charges and delivery access in the decision.
Service evidence
The matching sample includes SF Airlines — Ezhou–Los Angeles, Cathay Pacific / Cathay Cargo — Hong Kong–Los Angeles, Cathay Pacific / Cathay Cargo — Hong Kong–San Francisco, Sentosa and Orient. These labels document route possibilities; schedules, allocations and operating status must be reconfirmed before dispatch.
Customs responsibility
Decide who will act as importer, who supplies classification and permits, and whether duties and taxes are included. DDP, DAP and broker-managed imports create different responsibilities.
Delivery handoff
Matching last-mile methods include Local truck, Truck/air transfer, Port drayage and Rail/Truck. Confirm appointment, liftgate, residential, oversized and warehouse requirements in writing.