Ocean Freight Moving in Los Angeles, California
International moving by sea from Los Angeles. Full container and shared container ocean freight to destinations worldwide.
- Direct access to Port of LA and Port of Long Beach
- Partnerships with agents in 40+ countries
- Complete customs documentation handling
- Both full container and shared container options

What Is Ocean Freight Moving?
Ocean freight moving is the transportation of household goods internationally via cargo ships. Your belongings are professionally packed and loaded into standardized shipping containers - either a dedicated full container (20ft or 40ft) or a shared container with other shipments. The container is sealed at our warehouse, trucked to the port, loaded onto a vessel, and shipped to the destination port where it clears customs and is delivered to your new home. Ocean freight handles everything from furniture and appliances to vehicles and personal effects.
About Ocean Freight Moving in Los Angeles County
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective method for international household relocations. From the Port of Los Angeles, Popeye Moving ships household goods worldwide via full container load or shared container services. Whether you're relocating from El Porto, West Los Angeles, or Encino, our team manages every logistical detail - from customs documentation to container stuffing using ISO-standard 20ft and 40ft dry containers. California's strict CARB regulations and CBP import/export compliance requirements demand experienced handlers, and our coordinators stay current on all federal and state filing obligations.
Los Angeles's coastal humidity near El Porto calls for moisture-barrier wrapping and desiccant packs inside containers, protecting furniture and antiques during long Pacific crossings. We also serve clients moving internationally from Santa Monica, Glendale, and Long Beach. For fragile or high-value shipments, our Full-Service Packing option ensures materials are properly crated to ISPM-15 wood packaging standards. Businesses relocating overseas can combine ocean freight with our Office & Business Moving services for a coordinated transition.
Items not yet ready for shipping can be held in our Vaulted Storage until your container is ready to load. Popeye Moving supports both Residential Moving and Commercial Moving needs on a global scale. Call (310) 823-9510 to get a tailored ocean freight quote today.
Why Choose Popeye Moving & Storage for Ocean Freight Moving
Why Choose Us
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Licensed & Insured - California License #PUC: CAL T 189749 | DOT: 1472924 | MC: 498816C
Common Ocean Freight Moving Scenarios
Family relocating from LA to London for a multi-year assignment
Full container ocean freight for a three-bedroom household. We coordinate UK customs requirements, destination delivery, and storage at either end if timing does not align.
Retirees shipping belongings from California to Portugal
Partial container shipments for smaller households moving to Europe. We handle EU customs documentation and coordinate with local delivery agents in Portugal.
Executive relocating from Los Angeles to Singapore
Full-service international move including vehicle shipping, custom crating for art and antiques, and coordination with Singapore customs for duty assessment.
Our Ocean Freight Moving Process
International move survey and quotation
We inventory your belongings, determine the optimal container size, research destination country customs requirements, and provide a comprehensive international moving quote.
Export packing and container loading
All items are packed to international shipping standards - export-quality crating for furniture, waterproof wrapping, and secure loading into the shipping container at our warehouse.
Customs documentation and shipping
We prepare all export documents, coordinate container pickup and port delivery, and book your shipment with the shipping line. You receive tracking information for the vessel.
Destination customs clearance and delivery
Our destination partner handles customs clearance at the arrival port, manages any duties or inspections, and delivers your belongings to your new home with unpacking services available.
What's Included
- International move survey and detailed quotation
- Export-quality packing and custom crating
- Container loading at our Los Angeles warehouse
- All US export documentation
- Ocean freight booking and vessel tracking
- Destination customs coordination
- Door-to-door delivery at destination
- Marine cargo insurance available

Ready to Get Started?
Trusted moving and storage service in Los Angeles. Call now or book online for fast, professional service.
Costs & Timelines - What to Expect
Ocean freight pricing depends on container size, destination port, and services. Shared container (LCL) shipments start around $2,500 to $5,000 for smaller loads. A full 20ft container to Europe or Asia ranges from $6,000 to $12,000. A full 40ft container ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. Destination delivery, customs duties, and unpacking are additional costs that vary by country. We provide all-inclusive quotes that itemize every cost so there are no surprises.
Methods, Materials & Quality Standards
International ocean freight requires export-quality packing that exceeds domestic standards. All wooden crates are heat-treated to ISPM-15 standards required for international shipping. Furniture is wrapped in vapor barrier material to protect against moisture during ocean transit. Items are secured inside the container using cargo bars, strapping, and blocking to prevent any movement during loading, unloading, and ocean transit. Containers are sealed and remain sealed until customs inspection or delivery.
Ocean Freight Moving - Frequently Asked Questions
Ocean freight moving from Los Angeles generally ranges from $1,500 to $6,000+ depending on container size, destination port, and customs requirements. Popeye Moving & Storage Co. provides transparent itemized quotes with no hidden fees, whether you need a full container or shared LCL space.
We recommend booking at least 4-6 weeks ahead for international ocean freight departing Los Angeles through the Port of LA or Long Beach. This allows time for documentation, customs clearance prep, and container booking. We also offer Full-Service Packing to keep your timeline on track.
FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent an entire container, ideal for large household or office shipments. LCL (Less than Container Load) shares space with other cargo, lowering costs for smaller moves. Popeye Moving & Storage Co. handles customs documentation, fumigation certificates, and prohibited-item guidance for both options.
Yes, we coordinate ocean freight pickups across Greater Los Angeles, including Santa Monica and Glendale. As a trusted name in Residential Moving, we also pair international shipments with our Local Residential Moving service so your belongings move smoothly from home to port without juggling multiple vendors.
SERVICE AREAS
Ocean Freight Moving Near You
Popeye Moving & Storage provides ocean freight moving throughout Los Angeles and surrounding communities.