Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles Container Shipping.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest export hub. We coordinate full and shared containers from Cat Lai and Cai Mep to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with one point of contact the whole way.
Lane at a Glance
| Origin ports | Cat Lai, Cai Mep–Thi Vai |
| Destination ports | Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach |
| Ocean transit | About 22–24 days port to port |
| Door to door | About 4–5 weeks, depending on pickup, customs and delivery |
| Container options | 20′, 40′, 40′ high cube, LCL |
| Typical 40′ HC price | About USD 8,250–9,800 (October 2026); see the Shipping Cost Guide |
What’s Included
- Factory pickup in southern Vietnam
- Export clearance
- Ocean freight to LA or Long Beach
- ISF and U.S. customs through licensed brokers
- Cargo insurance offered
- Delivery to your warehouse
What Ships on This Lane
- Furniture
- Apparel and footwear
- Home goods
- Consumer products
Cat Lai or Cai Mep?
Most Ho Chi Minh City exports leave from one of two terminals. Cat Lai sits on the Saigon River close to the city and the industrial parks in Binh Duong and Dong Nai. Cai Mep–Thi Vai, about 80 km southeast, is a deep-water port where large ships load for direct sailings to the U.S. West Coast.
You don’t have to pick. When we quote, we check sailings from both and recommend the one with the better combination of schedule, rate and trucking distance from your factory.
Example: What a 40′ High Cube Cost in October 2026
Here is a published all-in quote for a 40′ high cube from Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles, port to door, captured October 11, 2026. It shows the kind of line items to expect. Your quote will be itemized the same way.
| Line item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Origin port charges | 96.79 |
| Ocean freight | 7,185.73 |
| U.S. port and customs | 503.42 |
| Import service fee | 65.33 |
| Chassis fee | 99.50 |
| Container pre-pull fee | 165.83 |
| Customs entry fee | 49.75 |
| Importer Security Filing (ISF) | 11.06 |
| Traffic mitigation fee (TMF) | 111.95 |
| Truck to the door | 463.45 |
| All in | 8,249.39 |
Source: Warp, Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles rates (captured Oct 11, 2026). Excludes duties and taxes. Shown as a market example, not a TradeLane quote.
From Factory to Warehouse
1
Week 1
Pickup at your factory, export clearance, and loading at Cat Lai or Cai Mep.
2
Weeks 2–4
About 22–24 days on the water to Los Angeles or Long Beach. We track the vessel and flag delays.
3
Arrival
Customs entry through a licensed broker, terminal pickup and delivery to your door.
Documents You’ll Need
- Commercial invoice: seller, buyer, product descriptions, values and Incoterms
- Packing list: cartons, weights and dimensions per carton
- Bill of lading: issued by the carrier or our licensed forwarding partner
- ISF (10+2) data: filed at least 24 hours before the container is loaded in Vietnam
- Certificate of origin: when your product or buyer needs one
Not sure what your supplier should send? How It Works shows who handles each step, and we walk you through it on your first shipment.
Common Questions
How long does it take?
About 22–24 days port to port, plus pickup, customs and delivery. Door to door is usually 4–5 weeks.
Los Angeles or Long Beach?
They serve the same region; we book whichever has the best schedule and rate.
What documents do I need?
Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading; we walk you through it.
How much does a 40′ container cost right now?
Published 40′ high cube rates ran about USD 8,250–9,800 in late September and October 2026. See the Shipping Cost Guide, then ask for today’s rate.
Should I ship FCL or LCL?
If you fill more than about half a container, a full container is usually cheaper per unit. Smaller loads can share a container (LCL); we quote both when it’s close.
When should I book?
Book 3–4 weeks before your cargo is ready, and earlier before peak season and Lunar New Year.
Importer Guides
Ready to ship from Ho Chi Minh City?
Sources for the numbers on this page: Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles sailing schedule data (46 tracked sailings); Cogoport, Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles (updated Oct 9, 2026); Skypace, Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles (checked Sep 27, 2026); Warp, Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles rates (captured Oct 11, 2026). Published market rates, not a TradeLane quote. Rates change weekly; ask for today’s price.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0.
