# Los Angeles: Record Summer Boosted by Early Christmas Shipments **Category:** Industry News | **Source:** Port of Los Angeles | **Published:** 2026-09-14 | **Updated:** 2026-09-16 **Tags:** Port of Los Angeles, Containerumschlag, USA, Pazifikhandel, Seefracht, Weihnachtsgeschäft, Lagerbestände, Bahnabtransport, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Luftfracht, Schienentransport, Digitalisierung, Zoll > Record throughput in Los Angeles: Beyond demand, early Christmas shipments are driving volumes. For logistics planning, rail transport and storage capacity remain critical. --- The Port of Los Angeles handled more than 2.9 million TEU from June to August 2026. This is the strongest period over three consecutive months in its history. TEU is the unit of measurement for a 20-foot container. In August alone, it was approximately 955,907 TEU. The port reported this on September 9. ([Port announcement](https://portoflosangeles.org/references/2026-news-releases/news_090926_aug_cargo)) Nevertheless, a closer look is worthwhile. August throughput was 0.26 percent below the previous year overall. For loaded imports, the decline was 0.84 percent, and for exports 9.28 percent. Empty containers, however, increased by 4.16 percent. More activity at the quay does not automatically mean more imported goods. ([Port statistics](https://portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics/container-statistics)) For the Christmas season, some work was brought forward. According to the U.S. trade association RILA, a large portion of Christmas merchandise is already in the country. Retailers ordered and had shipments delivered earlier due to uncertain fuel prices and potential transportation disruptions. Additional shipments are to supplement inventory as needed. ([Port announcement](https://portoflosangeles.org/references/2026-news-releases/news_090926_aug_cargo)) Inventory figures also align with this picture: According to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of retail inventories in July increased by 0.7 percent compared to June to $838.5 billion. The figures are seasonally adjusted but do not account for price changes. From this, neither actual merchandise quantities nor inventory overstocking can be inferred. ([U.S. Census Bureau](https://www.census.gov/econ/indicators/current/index.html)) There was already more waiting time for shipment removal. For Los Angeles and Long Beach combined, the shipping association PMSA reported an average dwell time of 6.34 days in July for containers with rail connections. In June, it was 5.43 days. The association described the situation as still manageable. These are July figures for both ports, not an August measurement for Los Angeles alone. ([PMSA](https://www.pmsaship.com/maritime-insights-blog/san-pedro-bay-ports-container-dwell-times-for-july-2026)) Classification: The record points to a strong import season with advanced shipments. How much of this represents additional demand remains unclear. The retail trade association NRF expects high imports again in September at the surveyed U.S. ports. This is a forecast, not yet measured throughput. ([NRF](https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/import-cargo-s-peak-season-not-over-yet)) --- For dispatch planning, what matters is when the goods arrive at the recipient. When booking via Los Angeles, therefore check the rail connection, the planned departure, and the inland delivery date together. Shippers should reconcile early-arrived Christmas goods with available storage spaces and actual sales figures. If inventory levels are already sufficient, there is no need to automatically expedite the next delivery. In case of delays, additional storage and container fees may incur. Therefore, keep free time periods, pickup dates, and empty container returns in view. In short: The port record is strong, but only appropriate transportation and sufficient storage space make it a smooth delivery. --- June to August 2026: more than 2.9 million TEU and three-month record according to the port. August throughput: approximately 955,907 TEU. Total throughput in August: 0.26 percent below prior year. Loaded imports: approximately 500,302 TEU, minus 0.84 percent. Loaded exports: approximately 115,561 TEU, minus 9.28 percent. Empty containers: approximately 340,044 TEU, plus 4.16 percent. US retail inventory in July: preliminary 0.7 percent higher than in June, by merchandise value. Dwell time for rail containers in Los Angeles and Long Beach in July: average 6.34 days, compared to 5.43 days in June. Sources: Port announcement, Port statistics, US statistical agency, PMSA. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [United States of America](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/us) ### Seaports - [Los Angeles (US LAX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/los-angeles-port-us-lax) - [Long Beach (US LGB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/long-beach-port-us-lgb) ### Glossary - [Container](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/container) - [Container handling](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/container-handling) - [Import](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import) - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-2) - [Port](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/port) - [Import](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import-2) - [Warehouse](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/warehouse-3) - [Inventory](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/inventory-2) - [Sea freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/sea-freight) - [Terminal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/terminal) - [Transshipment](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/transshipment-2) - [Cargo handling](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/cargo-handling) - [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods) - [Hinterland transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/hinterland-transport) - [Warehouse](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/warehouse) - [Port of Los Angeles](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/port-of-los-angeles) - [Demurrage](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/demurrage-2) - [Detention](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/detention-2) - [TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/teu-twenty-foot-equivalent-unit) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/los-angeles-rekordsommer-auch-dank-frueher-weihnachtslieferungen-20260914171859](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/los-angeles-rekordsommer-auch-dank-frueher-weihnachtslieferungen-20260914171859)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/los-angeles-rekordsommer-auch-dank-frueher-weihnachtslieferungen-20260914171859](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/los-angeles-rekordsommer-auch-dank-frueher-weihnachtslieferungen-20260914171859)*