30+ Years of Experience
Container shipping specialists since 1985, with a team that has navigated carrier shortages, port congestion and changing trade rules.
Since 1985 · Los Angeles, USA
International Freight Forwarding You Can Trust
Ocean, air, warehousing and customs—managed end to end by one dedicated team.
Ocean · Air · Express4Air · Warehousing
Every Mode. One Partner.
FCL, LCL, reefer and 3–5 day express air, port to port or door to door.
Logistics Resources
Ship Smarter With Expert Guidance
Practical guides and FAQs for global importers and exporters.
Universal Shipping News
Freight Updates in Minutes
Fast video recaps of the global shipping news that affects your cargo.
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30+
Years of freight forwarding experience
1985
Specializing in container shipping since
24/7
Personalized shipment support
1
Point of contact for every mode
Why Global Shippers Choose Us
Your Next Logistics Partner for U.S. Imports & Exports
For overseas manufacturers, buyers and brand owners, a freight forwarder is only as good as its follow-through. Here is what four decades of moving cargo across the Pacific, Atlantic and beyond has taught us to deliver.
FCL, LCL, Air & Warehousing Experts
Every mode under one roof, so your routing is chosen for cost, transit time and cargo type—not for what a single-mode provider sells.
Representation in Major Ports Worldwide
An established agent network at all major ports supports origin pickup, export documentation and destination delivery.
One-Stop, Full-Service Logistics
Freight, customs brokerage, trucking, insurance and warehousing combined into one coordinated plan and one accountable team.
Since 1985Los Angeles, CA
Who We Are
A Los Angeles Freight Forwarder Built on Personal Accountability
Universal Cargo Management Inc. is headquartered minutes from LAX and within reach of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—the busiest container gateway in the United States. From this base we manage imports and exports for commercial shippers around the world, from first-time importers to established distributors.
- Two dedicated people per account: a logistics account executive who designs your plan and an operations account manager who executes every shipment.
- In-house customs brokers for ISF, continuous bonds and FDA/FWS-regulated cargo.
- Supply chain security focus aligned with the CTPAT program to help keep compliant cargo moving.
- Flexible terms: Door to Door, ExWorks, Port to Port and FOB shipments.
Step 1 · Choose Your Service
Freight Forwarding Services for Every Shipment Size
Whether you are importing or exporting, we match your cargo to the right mode, route and service level.
Ocean Ocean Freight Forwarding
Port to port or door to door, we handle container shipping from booking to final delivery. Specializing in ocean freight since 1985, we move full and partial container loads—including temperature-controlled reefer cargo—around the globe.
- FCL 20' / 40' / 40'HC
- LCL Consolidation
- Reefer Containers
- Import & Export
Warehousing Commercial Warehousing & Fulfillment
When running your own warehouse isn't cost-effective, store your import and export goods with us until they are ready to move. We also manage order fulfillment, Amazon FBA prep and pick-and-pack from receipt to dispatch.
- Short & Long-Term Storage
- Amazon FBA Prep
- Pick & Pack
- Fulfillment
Air Air Freight Forwarding
The fastest, safest way to move goods internationally—only if your forwarder is reliable. Our air cargo specialists assess your requirements and tailor service for large-scale projects or smaller urgent shipments, door to door or terminal to terminal.
- Door to Door
- Airport to Airport
- Project Cargo
- Time-Critical
Express Express4Air Door-to-Door Service
Built for demanding B2B buyers: ship 25–100 kg packages from anywhere to anywhere in 3–5 days for most destinations. Door pickup, customs clearance and door delivery are all included in one simple service.
- 25–100 kg
- 3–5 Day Transit
- Customs Included
- Door Delivery
Buyer's Guide
Ocean vs. Air vs. Express: Which Shipping Mode Fits Your Cargo?
A quick planning reference our account executives use when advising overseas buyers and suppliers.
| Mode | Best For | How It's Priced | Indicative Transit* | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean FCL | High-volume or heavy cargo; roughly 13–15 CBM and above | Flat rate per container | Approx. 14–22 days port to port | Sealed container, less handling, lowest cost per unit at volume |
| Ocean LCL | Smaller shipments that don't fill a container | Per cubic meter or weight (whichever is greater) | Approx. 18–30 days incl. consolidation | Extra CFS handling time; pay only for the space you use |
| Reefer | Food, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive goods | Per refrigerated container | Similar to FCL | Set-point temperature control; may require FDA clearance |
| Air Freight | Urgent, high-value or time-sensitive cargo | Chargeable weight (actual vs. volumetric) | Approx. 2–5 days airport to airport | Highest speed and security; higher cost per kg |
| Express4Air | Packages of 25–100 kg | All-in door-to-door service | 3–5 days to most destinations | Pickup, customs clearance and delivery included |
*Indicative examples for main trade lanes such as Asia to U.S. West Coast. Actual transit depends on origin, carrier schedules, port conditions and customs. Your account executive confirms timelines for every shipment.
How It Works
From First Call to Final Delivery in Four Steps
Consult
Your account executive reviews cargo, origin, destination, Incoterms and deadlines.
Plan
We select mode and routing, and prepare customs, ISF and insurance requirements.
Move
Your operations manager books space, coordinates pickup and manages every milestone.
Deliver & Track
Cargo clears customs and is delivered, with online tracking available throughout.
No Surprises
What Is Always Included With Our Freight Forwarding Services?
Shipment Tracking
Tracking comes with every shipment we handle. Basic tracking lets you search all shipment details and export them to Excel. The iView Web Desktop adds a customizable dashboard with key statistics and graphs, shipment sorting, and a calendar showing when each shipment arrives.
Learn About Cargo Tracking
Dedicated Logistics Staff
Every account is supported by a logistics account executive and an operations account manager working together to provide personalized, 24/7 service. Your executive builds the right logistics plan; your manager runs day-to-day operations so cargo moves smoothly from point A to point B.
Meet Our People
Step 2 · Complete Your Logistics Package Discuss Your Shipment
Additional Services: Trucking, Customs & Cargo Insurance
Add any of these services to ocean, air or express shipments. Whether you ship Door to Door, ExWorks, Port to Port or FOB, we close the gaps that cause delays and hidden costs.
A full range of small, medium and large trucking partners gives us the flexibility to move shipments of any size to and from ports and airports, including LTL and FTL.
Our house brokers track the latest regulations and communicate directly with customs officials. Coverage ranges from standard entry, continuous bonds and ISF (10+2) compliance to special clearances for FDA- and FWS-regulated goods.
Carrier liability is legally limited and rarely covers full cargo value. Insurance policies differ in coverage and exclusions, so our staff match the right policy to each shipment and protect your imports and exports against loss or damage.
Our Videos
Universal Shipping News
What the freight is going on in international shipping? Our video series recaps the latest industry news—rate shifts, port conditions, regulatory changes—in fun, fast episodes. We scour the headlines for what matters to shippers, so you don't have to.
What Our Customers Say
Trusted by Importers, Exporters & First-Time Shippers
"I've done a lot of shipments with Universal Cargo and they take care of the shipment from Point A to Point B and most importantly they follow through. They are on my TOP list in shipping internationally."
NickInternational Shipper
"Wonderful team at Universal Cargo. Very patient with multiple requests for information, and strong ability to GET THE JOB DONE! Thank you specifically to Henry and Jessica!"
Kristin JonesImport Customer
"I had no experience dealing with freight forwarders before choosing Universal Cargo. They have made moving my freight easy, keep me informed and are attentive to my needs. I'd highly recommend their services."
Digital Direct Inc.First-Time Importer
"I have used Universal Cargo for multiple shipments and each time I have received excellent service. Everything went better than expected with each shipment! Thank you!"
Canine CleanupRepeat Customer
Freight Forwarding FAQ
Answers for Overseas Buyers & Suppliers
Straight answers to the questions our account executives hear most from importers and exporters shipping to and from the United States.
Need an answer for your specific cargo?
Our team is available Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time, with 24/7 support for active shipments.
Ask Our ExpertsFull Container Load (FCL) means you book an entire 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high-cube container and pay a flat container rate. Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidates your cargo with other shippers and is billed by volume (CBM) or weight. As a practical rule of thumb, once a shipment approaches roughly 13 to 15 cubic meters, FCL is often more economical and involves less handling. Our account executives compare both options for every shipment.
For ocean cargo arriving in the United States, the ISF must be transmitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. Late, inaccurate or missing filings can result in liquidated damages of up to $5,000 per violation, so our in-house customs team files ISF as part of the shipment workflow.
Express4Air is a door-to-door express air service for shipments of 25 kg to 100 kg. It includes door pickup, customs clearance and door delivery, with transit of 3 to 5 days to most destinations worldwide.
Yes. Our house customs brokers handle standard customs clearance, continuous bonds and ISF compliance, as well as special customs work for FDA-regulated and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regulated goods.
Carrier liability is limited by law and contract. Under the U.S. Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), for example, ocean carrier liability is generally limited to $500 per package or customary freight unit, regardless of the actual cargo value. Cargo insurance protects the full insured value of your goods against loss or damage.
Tracking is included with every shipment. Basic tracking lets you search all shipment details and export them to Excel, while the iView Web Desktop adds a customizable dashboard with key statistics, graphs, shipment sorting and an arrival calendar.
Start Your Logistics Journey Today
At Universal Cargo, We CARE.
Your one-stop partner for international shipping and logistics. Our friendly team delivers reliable, transparent and personalized service at competitive rates—covering every detail of moving your goods around the world.