Shipping Heavy Equipment to the Port of Los Angeles for Export

Why Export Through the Port of Los Angeles?

The Port of Los Angeles handles over 10 million TEUs annually and offers direct ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) and container services to major international markets. Key advantages for equipment exporters:

• Asia-Pacific connectivity: Direct ro-ro and container services to Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and Southeast Asia
• Middle East and South Asia routes: Regular sailings to UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, and Pakistan
• Latin America services: Connections to Mexico, Chile, Peru, and other South American markets
• Large ro-ro terminal capacity: POLA's Pasha Hawaii and other ro-ro operators handle oversized and heavy equipment that cannot be containerized

Terminal Overview: Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles spans 7,500 acres across San Pedro Bay and includes multiple specialized terminals. For heavy equipment exporters, the most relevant facilities are:

• Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals (Berth 195-196): Primary ro-ro terminal for oversized and heavy equipment. Handles wheeled and tracked machinery that can be driven or towed onto ro-ro vessels.
• Container terminals (APM, TraPac, WBCT, Yusen): For equipment that can be containerized or loaded into flat-rack containers. Suitable for smaller machines (mini excavators, forklifts, skid steers).
• Breakbulk/project cargo: For very large or heavy machines that require crane loading onto general cargo vessels.

Inland Transport to POLA: What Exporters Need to Know

Booking and Timing

Coordinate with your freight forwarder or NVOCC to confirm the vessel booking and terminal receiving window before scheduling inland transport. POLA terminals typically open receiving 5–7 days before vessel departure. Equipment arriving outside the receiving window may be refused or incur storage fees. IronHaul works directly with your forwarder to time delivery within the terminal's acceptance window.

Terminal Delivery Requirements

Each POLA terminal has specific delivery requirements for heavy equipment:

• Valid booking number and export documentation must be provided to the terminal gate
• Equipment must be clean of soil and biological material (USDA/APHIS compliance)
• Fuel tanks should be drained to 1/4 tank or less for ro-ro vessels (fire safety requirement)
• All fluids must be free of leaks
• Keys must be present for self-propelled equipment being driven onto ro-ro vessels
• Non-running equipment requires advance coordination with the terminal for crane or forklift offloading

Oversize Equipment Routing in the LA Basin

The Los Angeles Basin is one of the most complex oversize load environments in the country. Caltrans requires permits for loads over 8.5 ft wide or 14 ft tall, and the LA metro area has additional local permit requirements and restricted travel windows. Most oversize equipment deliveries to POLA terminals must occur during off-peak hours (typically before 6 AM or after 7 PM) to avoid freeway congestion and local restrictions. IronHaul coordinates all Caltrans and local permits for POLA deliveries.

Equipment Types Commonly Exported Through POLA

• Hydraulic excavators (20–50 ton class) — primary export commodity to Asia and Middle East
• Crawler dozers (D6–D9 class) — high demand in mining and infrastructure markets
• Motor graders — road construction markets in developing economies
• Wheel loaders — construction and mining applications worldwide
• Forklifts and telehandlers — warehouse and port operations globally
• Cranes (rough terrain, crawler, all-terrain) — construction markets in Middle East and Asia

USDA/APHIS Cleaning Requirements

All equipment exported through U.S. ports must comply with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requirements. Equipment must be free of soil, plant material, and biological debris. POLA terminals conduct inspections, and equipment that fails inspection will be quarantined for cleaning at the exporter's expense. IronHaul recommends pressure-washing all equipment before inland transport to avoid terminal delays.

Get a Quote for Port of Los Angeles Equipment Delivery

IronHaul Logistics coordinates inland transport to the Port of Los Angeles for equipment exporters across the Western United States. We handle Caltrans permits, terminal delivery coordination, and timing with your freight forwarder. Request a free quote online, call (208) 495-2260, or email [email protected].