California 3PL Fulfillment Near the Port of Los Angeles
AMZ Prep operates fulfillment centers in California within reach of the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, the nation's largest import gateway handling nearly one third of all containerized US trade. From FBA prep and DTC fulfillment to Seller Fulfilled Prime, cold storage, and cross border shipping to Canada and Mexico, our California location connects your imports to a 50 plus warehouse national network.
California brands trust AMZ Prep
Why California Is the Number One Location for 3PL Fulfillment
Every year, nearly one third of everything Americans buy online enters the country through California. The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach together processed over 20 million TEUs in 2025, making this the single most important logistics corridor in North America. If your products arrive by ocean freight from Asia, having a 3PL in California means your inventory clears customs and hits warehouse shelves faster than anywhere else in the country.
But California is not just about imports. With 39 million residents, California is also the largest consumer market in the US. A fulfillment center here puts your inventory within 1 to 2 day ground shipping of 60 million West Coast customers across California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona. AMZ Prep's California location combines port proximity with access to a 50 plus warehouse national network, so your California inventory connects to every other AMZ Prep facility across the US and Canada. Learn more about our West Coast fulfillment network.
Port of LA / Long Beach Access
Drayage from the port to our California facility averages $350 to $500 per container, compared to $800 to $1,200 for facilities in the Inland Empire. Faster unloading, shorter transit, lower landed cost.
West Coast Delivery Coverage
Ground shipping from California reaches Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Phoenix within 1 to 2 business days. 60 million customers within standard ground range.
National Network Connection
Your California inventory connects to AMZ Prep's 50 plus warehouses across the US and Canada. Split inventory strategically: West Coast stock in California, East Coast stock in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, central stock in Texas or Indiana.
Port to Warehouse: How California Import Fulfillment Works
California's port complex is the entry point for the majority of goods arriving from Asia. AMZ Prep's California facility streamlines the entire import to fulfillment pipeline, eliminating handoffs and reducing the time from port arrival to customer delivery. Whether your containers are headed for Amazon FBA or your own DTC channels through Prep Parcel, every step is handled under one roof.
Container Arrives at Port
Your container clears customs at the Port of Los Angeles or Port of Long Beach. AMZ Prep coordinates drayage pickup same day or next day.
Receiving and Inspection
Container is unloaded at AMZ Prep's California facility. Inventory is inspected, counted, and entered into the WMS with SKU level accuracy.
Prep, Label, and Plan
FBA prep including FNSKU labeling, polybagging, carton packing, and shipment plan creation. Or DTC storage for direct fulfillment through Prep Parcel.
Ship or Distribute
Inbound freight to Amazon FCs nationwide, DTC orders shipped direct, or cross dock distribution to other AMZ Prep warehouses for strategic inventory placement.
Los Angeles vs Inland Empire: Which California Location Is Better for Your 3PL?
This is one of the most common questions California sellers ask when choosing a 3PL. The answer depends on your import volume, inventory velocity, and cost priorities. Here is a side by side comparison of the two most popular fulfillment zones in Southern California.
| Factor | Los Angeles Area | Inland Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse rates | $15.96/sqft NNN | $11.65/sqft NNN |
| Drayage from port | $350 to $500 per container | $800 to $1,200 per container |
| Distance to port | Under 30 miles | 60 to 90 miles |
| Transit to port | Same day | Next day |
| Labor availability | Competitive, higher wages | More available, lower wages |
| Freeway access | I-710, I-110, I-405 | I-10, I-15, I-215 |
| Best for | Import processing, fast turns, port proximity | Long term storage, large footprint, cost sensitive |
AMZ Prep's California facility is positioned for the best of both: close enough to the ports for efficient drayage while maintaining competitive warehousing rates. For sellers with high velocity inventory that needs fast port to shelf turns, the port proximity advantage pays for itself in reduced drayage and faster time to market.
California 3PL Services from AMZ Prep
Six core fulfillment services from our California location, each connecting to AMZ Prep's national network of 50 plus warehouses.
FBA Prep
FNSKU labeling, polybagging, carton packing, shipment plans, zero placement fees. Port to Amazon in days, not weeks.
Learn about FBA Prep →DTC Fulfillment
Pick, pack, ship for Shopify, Amazon FBM, Walmart, and all DTC channels. 2 day delivery across West Coast.
Learn about DTC →Seller Fulfilled Prime
Maintain the Prime badge from California. 2 day nationwide delivery through AMZ Prep's SFP network.
Learn about SFP →Cold Storage
Temperature controlled fulfillment for food, supplements, and beauty brands entering through California ports.
Learn about Cold Storage →Freight Forwarding
Ocean freight from Asia, customs brokerage, drayage, and last mile from port to warehouse to customer.
Learn about Freight →Cross Border (CA to Canada/Mexico)
Section 321 de minimis entry, cross border ecommerce from California to Canadian and Mexican customers.
Learn about Cross Border →B2B Retail Fulfillment
EDI compliant fulfillment for Walmart, Target, Costco, and other retail partners. Routing compliance, case pack configuration, and retailer specific labeling from California.
Learn about B2B →Oversized Fulfillment
Purpose built for products that exceed standard 3PL limits. 200 plus box sizes, DIM weight optimization, and large parcel carrier networks from California.
Learn about Oversized →California FBA Prep: Port to Amazon in Days, Not Weeks
Most Amazon sellers importing from Asia ship containers to California, then need their inventory prepped and sent to Amazon fulfillment centers across the country. AMZ Prep's California facility handles the entire process: container receiving, inspection, FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, carton packing, shipment plan creation, and inbound freight to Amazon. Zero placement fees.
With AMZ Prep's middle mile program, your inventory moves from the Port of Los Angeles to Amazon FBA warehouses nationwide through optimized routing that reduces inbound shipping costs by up to 30 percent compared to direct to FC shipping. The middle mile network consolidates shipments across sellers, driving down per unit transportation costs while maintaining Amazon's receive windows.
California FBA prep is especially valuable for sellers who need fast inventory turns. Instead of waiting for containers to transit to an East Coast prep center, your products clear the port, get prepped at AMZ Prep California, and start generating revenue on Amazon days sooner. For brands managing both FBA and DTC channels, the same California inventory pool serves both through FBA prep services and Section 321 cross border fulfillment.
Cross Border Fulfillment from California
California's geographic position makes it the natural launch point for cross border ecommerce into both Canada and Mexico. AMZ Prep's California location connects to the company's Canadian and Mexican fulfillment capabilities, giving brands a single partner for North American expansion.
California to Canada
Ship from your California warehouse to AMZ Prep's Canadian fulfillment centers in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, or direct to Canadian customers via Prep Parcel. Individual shipments under $800 enter Canada duty free through the Section 321 de minimis program. Pre-position fast moving SKUs in Canada for same day delivery to Canadian customers.
California to Mexico
California's proximity to the Tijuana and Mexicali border crossings makes it the fastest route into Mexico. Section 321 de minimis entry allows goods under $800 to enter Mexico duty free when shipped as individual parcels from US soil. AMZ Prep handles customs documentation, carrier coordination, and last mile delivery.
Cross border fulfillment from California is a core part of AMZ Prep's market expansion strategy for brands growing beyond the US domestic market. One inventory pool in California, three countries served.
California Cold Storage Fulfillment
California is the entry point for a massive volume of temperature sensitive imports: frozen seafood, fresh produce, supplements, and beauty products all arrive through the Port of LA and Long Beach. AMZ Prep's cold storage 3PL capabilities in California include refrigerated (2 to 8 degrees Celsius), frozen (negative 18 degrees Celsius and below), and ambient climate controlled (15 to 25 degrees Celsius) zones with FDA registered facilities and FEFO inventory management.
From receiving temperature sensitive containers at the port to packing orders with gel packs and insulated liners, the cold chain is maintained at every step. California cold storage is especially critical for food and supplement brands selling on Amazon, where meltable inventory restrictions require temperature controlled prep areas during warm months.
Industries We Serve from California
California is home to some of the most dynamic consumer product markets in the world. AMZ Prep's California facility serves brands across six core verticals.
Health and Beauty
Los Angeles is the beauty capital of America. Temperature sensitive cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products fulfilled from port to shelf.
Learn more →Supplements and Nutrition
California health and wellness brands with temperature and compliance requirements. FDA registered facilities with lot tracking.
Learn more →Electronics
Silicon Valley imports and consumer electronics requiring careful handling, serialization tracking, and anti-static packaging.
Learn more →Apparel and Fashion
LA fashion district brands with high SKU counts, seasonal inventory, and multi-channel fulfillment across Amazon, Shopify, and retail.
Apparel fulfillment →Food and Beverage
Port imports requiring cold storage, FEFO management, and FDA compliance. From frozen seafood to shelf stable snacks.
Cold storage →Sports and Outdoor
California lifestyle brands with oversized products, seasonal demand patterns, and multi-marketplace distribution.
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions About California 3PL Fulfillment
Where is AMZ Prep's California fulfillment center?
AMZ Prep operates a fulfillment center in California near the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, the largest import gateway in the United States. The facility handles FBA prep, DTC fulfillment, Seller Fulfilled Prime, cold storage, and cross border shipping. It connects to AMZ Prep's 50 plus warehouse network across the US and Canada.
How much does 3PL fulfillment cost in California?
California 3PL costs depend on your service type, order volume, and storage requirements. Warehouse rates in the Los Angeles area average $15.96 per square foot NNN, while Inland Empire facilities average $11.65 per square foot. AMZ Prep provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Contact us for a custom quote based on your California fulfillment needs.
What is drayage and how much does it cost from the Port of LA?
Drayage is the short haul trucking of shipping containers from the port to a nearby warehouse. From the Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach to a port adjacent facility, drayage typically costs $350 to $500 per container. Facilities further out in the Inland Empire pay $800 to $1,200 per container due to the longer distance.
Can AMZ Prep handle FBA prep in California?
Yes. AMZ Prep's California facility handles the complete FBA prep pipeline: container receiving from the port, inspection, FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, carton packing, shipment plan creation, and inbound freight to Amazon fulfillment centers nationwide. Zero placement fees. AMZ Prep's middle mile program reduces inbound shipping costs by up to 30 percent.
Does AMZ Prep offer cold storage in California?
Yes. AMZ Prep provides temperature controlled fulfillment from California for food, beverage, supplement, and beauty brands. Refrigerated, frozen, and ambient climate controlled zones are available with FDA registered facilities and FEFO inventory management.
Can I ship from California to Canada through AMZ Prep?
Yes. AMZ Prep handles cross border fulfillment from California to Canada through Prep Parcel and the Section 321 de minimis program. Individual shipments under $800 enter Canada duty free. AMZ Prep also operates fulfillment centers in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary for brands that want to pre-position inventory in Canada.
Is Los Angeles or the Inland Empire better for a 3PL?
It depends on your priorities. Los Angeles offers lower drayage costs ($350 to $500 vs $800 to $1,200), faster port to shelf turns, and same day container pickup. The Inland Empire offers lower warehouse rates ($11.65 vs $15.96 per square foot) and more available space. AMZ Prep's California facility balances port proximity with competitive rates.
How fast can AMZ Prep deliver from California?
From AMZ Prep's California location, ground shipping reaches Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle within 1 to 2 business days. Combined with AMZ Prep's national network, 2 day delivery reaches 95 percent of the US population through strategic inventory splitting across multiple facilities.
Does AMZ Prep handle Seller Fulfilled Prime from California?
Yes. AMZ Prep is an Amazon approved SFP partner. The California facility is part of AMZ Prep's SFP network that delivers 2 day Prime shipping nationwide. Products fulfilled from California earn the Prime badge while you control inventory, packaging, and costs.
What marketplaces does AMZ Prep's California fulfillment support?
AMZ Prep's California location fulfills orders for Amazon (FBA, FBM, SFP), Shopify, Walmart (WFS compatible), TikTok Shop, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and EDI connected retail partners. One inventory pool in California serves all channels through AMZ Prep's multi channel WMS.
AMZ Prep California Fulfillment Center
Located near the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach for fast container receiving and West Coast delivery coverage.
Start Fulfilling from California
Whether you are importing through the Port of LA, prepping for Amazon FBA, or shipping DTC across the West Coast, AMZ Prep's California facility connects to 50 plus warehouses nationwide.
