How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Container from Vietnam to Los Angeles?
Rates change weekly with fuel, demand and carrier capacity. Use this guide as a starting point, then request a quote for today’s price.
Typical Rates This Month
Published market rates, collected October 27, 2026. Prices are in U.S. dollars.
| Shipment | Ho Chi Minh City to LA | Haiphong to LA |
|---|---|---|
| 20′ container | USD 4,500–6,700 (ocean freight) | USD 5,700–7,200 (ocean freight) |
| 40′ container | Ask for today’s rate | Ask for today’s rate |
| 40′ high cube | USD 8,250–9,800 | Ask for today’s rate |
| LCL (shared container) | From about USD 545 per pallet, port to door | Ask for today’s rate |
| Air freight per kg | USD 11.40–12.90, door to door (SGN to LAX) | Ask for today’s rate (HAN to LAX) |
Estimates only. Excludes duties and taxes. Sources: 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); Cogoport, Hai Phong to Long Beach (rates valid Oct 23–25, 2026); Warp, Vietnam to US air rates (captured Oct 20, 2026).
Example: A Real Itemized Quote
This published all-in price for a 40′ high cube from Ho Chi Minh City to a Los Angeles address shows where the money goes. Ocean freight is the biggest share, but U.S. port fees and trucking add about USD 1,000.
| Line item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Origin port charges | 96.79 |
| Ocean freight | 7,185.73 |
| U.S. port and customs | 503.42 |
| Import service, entry, ISF and pre-pull fees | 291.97 |
| Chassis and traffic mitigation fees | 211.45 |
| Truck to the door | 463.45 |
| All in | 8,249.39 |
Captured October 11, 2026. Source: Warp, Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles rates (captured Oct 11, 2026). Duties and taxes not included.
What’s in the Price
- Origin charges (pickup, export clearance, terminal handling)
- Ocean freight and surcharges
- Destination charges (terminal handling, ISF, customs clearance)
- Delivery to your warehouse
Note: duties and taxes are not included.
What Changes the Cost
- Season
- Container size
- FCL vs LCL
- Tariffs
Why Rates Move So Much
- Season. Rates usually climb from late summer through the year-end holidays and again before Lunar New Year, when Vietnamese factories close for one to two weeks.
- Carrier capacity. When carriers cancel sailings, space tightens and spot rates rise within days.
- Origin port. Ho Chi Minh City has more direct sailings to Los Angeles; Haiphong rates can run higher on some weeks.
- How long the rate is valid. Spot quotes are often valid for days, not weeks. A quote you got a month ago is rarely still available.
Compare lanes on Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles and Haiphong to Los Angeles, or see air freight to LAX for urgent goods.
U.S. Import Costs Outside the Freight Rate
Freight quotes cover moving the cargo. Your landed cost also includes charges paid at U.S. customs:
- Duties: set by your product’s tariff classification (HTS code) and country of origin.
- Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of the value of the goods on formal entries, with a minimum and maximum per entry.
- Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of the cargo value on ocean shipments. It does not apply to air freight.
- Customs bond: required for formal entries, bought per shipment or as a yearly continuous bond.
- Demurrage and detention: daily charges if a container is not picked up or returned within the free days. Fast customs clearance and trucking avoid them.
Sources: CBP: Merchandise Processing Fee; CBP user fee table. Checked October 27, 2026.
How to Lower Your Landed Cost
1
Book early
Book 3–4 weeks ahead, especially before peak season.
2
Fill the box
Fill containers fully and combine orders from nearby suppliers.
3
Check classification
Confirm your product’s tariff classification before shipping.
4
Compare modes
Compare FCL, LCL and air on every order.
Common Questions
Are these prices a quote?
No. They are published market rates from the dates shown. Request a quote for today’s price on your exact shipment.
Do prices include duties?
No. Duties and taxes depend on your product’s tariff classification and are paid separately at customs.
How often is this page updated?
Every month, with the date shown above the table.
Is air freight charged the Harbor Maintenance Fee?
No. The HMF applies to cargo arriving by vessel, not by air.
When is LCL cheaper than a full container?
For a few pallets, LCL is usually cheaper. Once you fill about half a container, a full container often costs less per unit.
