China Yantian → LA: Who Moves Light 20-Foot Containers?
We queried US Customs Bill of Lading data for a specific slice of ocean freight: 20-foot containers (1 TEU) with payload between 0 and 875 kg (roughly 1/32 of a full 20' container) moving from Yantian, China to Los Angeles in 2024. The results reveal who dominates this niche lane and what kinds of companies appear in the data.
Explore the interactive carrier analytics below. Click through to see carrier rankings, BOL samples, and route details.
What We Searched
Using our Port Carrier Analytics tool, we filtered US import records by:
- Origin: Yantian, China, a major Shenzhen port and gateway for Guangdong exports
- Destination: Los Angeles, CA, the busiest US container port complex
- Container size: 1 TEU (20-foot container)
- Weight range: 0–875 kg, the lightest 1/32 payload band (documents, samples, low-density goods)
- Year: 2024
This filter isolates a particular segment: very light cargo in 20' boxes. Full containers typically carry 14,000–28,000 kg. At 0–875 kg, we're looking at shipments that barely fill the container: expedited documents, samples, spare parts, or consolidated LCL-style moves where the carrier code reflects the NVOCC or forwarder rather than the ocean line.
The Results
The search returned 94,913 bills of lading matching these criteria. Carriers are ranked by number of line shipments (BOLs on this specific route with these filters). The top carriers and their profiles:
#1 – AMZD (Amazon)
42,023 line shipments (44% of the total). Amazon Global Logistics dominates this lane. With 20.7% line focus (share of Amazon's total BOLs on this route) and 37% client focus, Amazon is heavily concentrated on Yantian→LA light containers, likely serving FBA sellers and its own supply chain.
#2 – TZWH (Transwill Express)
3,512 line shipments. A Shenzhen-based freight forwarder. Low line focus (0.28%) and client focus (0.36%). A generalist moving many routes and clients, with a visible presence on this lane.
Global freight forwarders
Expeditors (EXDO), Kuehne + Nagel (BANQ), China International Freight (CHQF), BDP Transport (BOPT). These appear with hundreds to thousands of shipments. They act as NVOCCs or consolidators. The carrier code on the BOL reflects the forwarder, not the underlying ocean carrier.
Ocean carriers
Maersk (MAEU), CMA CGM (CMDU), GWTH, HANF appear with lower line focus. They move many routes; this lane is a small slice. They may carry the boxes but are often listed as the actual vessel operator rather than the "carrier" on the BOL.
Different kinds of listed companies
E-commerce / logistics platforms: Amazon (AMZD), the carrier code for Amazon-owned logistics. Freight forwarders / NVOCCs: Expeditors, K+N, China International Freight, Flexible Transportation, Diversified Delivery Systems, etc. They appear as "carrier" because they issue the BOL. Ocean carriers: Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE, the actual vessel operators; often lower line focus. Regional / specialized carriers: Trucking companies, motor coach operators, agricultural carriers. Names like Chisley Motor Coaches, On-Site Trucking, Golden State Agricultural Carriers. These may be NVOCCs or entities that consolidate shipments and use their own carrier code. Niche / high-focus carriers: CIYS (75% client focus, 59% line focus) and RWRD (19% client focus). Small carriers heavily concentrated on this route.
Carrier Results (Cached)
The data below is preloaded from our cache. Click carrier names to view sample BOLs. To run a new search with different filters, use the full tool.
Route
Carriers by BOLs (matching filters)
| Carrier | Carrier Details | Contact | Line shipments | Total clients | Line clients | Client focus % | Total BOLs | Line focus % |
|---|
Note: Click a carrier name to open a random BOL in a popup; each click shows a different BOL. Use Get contact to find notify-party info when the carrier appears as notify party.
* The contact data has been found online and we do not know if it's correct.
Key Takeaways
US Customs BOL data reveals the structure of a narrow freight segment: light 20-foot containers from Yantian to LA. Amazon dominates by volume. Freight forwarders and NVOCCs appear as carriers because they issue the BOL; ocean carriers appear when they are the vessel operator. The mix of company types (e-commerce, forwarders, ocean lines, regional specialists) shows how different players participate in the same physical lane.
Researchers studying supply chain dynamics, carrier competition, or e-commerce logistics can use this data to trace who moves what, where, and at what payload density.