Key Takeaways
- ✓Free days terminal Los Angeles ranges from 4–5 days for dry imports and 2–3 days for reefers — lower allowances than most US East Coast ports
- ✓APM Terminals (Pier 400) is the largest terminal at the Port of LA, handling over 4 million TEUs annually, with tiered storage starting at $75/day after LFD
- ✓PierPass OffPeak Program at POLA/POLB charges a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) for peak-hour gate transactions — plan pickups during OffPeak windows to avoid the surcharge
- ✓Reefer containers at all LA terminals begin storage fee accrual faster than dry: most terminals allow only 2 calendar days before daily refrigeration storage fees kick in
- ✓Terminal LFD and carrier (line) LFD are independent — a container at APM with a 4-day carrier allowance and a 5-day terminal allowance can still accrue carrier demurrage before terminal storage
Port of Los Angeles Free Days: What You Need to Know
Understanding free days terminal Los Angeles is essential for any freight forwarder routing cargo through the San Pedro Bay complex. The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) is the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere, processing over 9 million TEUs annually across six active container terminals. Each terminal operates independently with its own storage tariff, free day policy, and LFD calculation rules.
Terminal storage at POLA is governed by each terminal operator, not the Port itself. That means free day counts, rate tiers, and extension policies vary by facility — and a container at APM Terminals will follow completely different rules than one sitting at TraPac or WBCT. The sections below cover each terminal individually.
For a broader view across all West Coast and national ports, see our US Port Free Days Comparison.
Los Angeles Terminal Free Days: Terminal-by-Terminal
APM Terminals (Pier 400)
APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles is the single largest container terminal on the US West Coast, with a berth capacity of over 14 berths and annual throughput exceeding 4 million TEUs. It handles vessel calls from Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and several ONE alliance partners. Pier 400 uses an automated stacking crane (ASC) yard system, which affects gate transaction timing and availability windows.
Free days (dry import): 4 calendar days from vessel discharge date (not availability date). The discharge date counts as Day 0; charges begin on Day 5. Free days (reefer import): 2 calendar days. Reefer storage fees begin on Day 3 and include a plug surcharge for continued shore power. Storage rate (dry) after LFD: Days 1–4: $75/day per 20' / $112/day per 40'; Days 5–8: $138/day per 20' / $198/day per 40'; Day 9+: $198/day per 20' / $270/day per 40' (per APM Terminals Pier 400 Tariff No. 1, effective January 2026). Storage rate (reefer) after LFD: $125/day per 20' / $165/day per 40', plus $35/day plug fee. Special policies: APM requires a pre-notification for reefer pickups at least 4 hours before gate arrival. Containers in customs examination (CBP devanning exam) are held from the LFD clock only with a CBP hold document on file — informal holds do not pause charges. Portal: apmterminals.com/en/los-angeles
Fenix Marine Services (Pier 300)
Fenix Marine Services operates Pier 300 at the Port of LA and serves as a major gateway for Evergreen Line, Yang Ming, and Hapag-Lloyd vessel calls. Fenix processes approximately 1.5 million TEUs annually and operates a conventional wheeled-storage yard, which gives it faster turn times during normal operations but less buffer capacity during vessel bunching events.
Free days (dry import): 4 calendar days from vessel discharge. Free days (reefer import): 2 calendar days. Storage rate (dry) after LFD: Days 1–4: $80/day per 20' / $115/day per 40'; Days 5–7: $140/day per 20' / $195/day per 40'; Day 8+: $195/day per 20' / $265/day per 40' (per Fenix Marine Services Tariff, Q1 2026). Storage rate (reefer) after LFD: $130/day per 40', inclusive of power connection. Special policies: Fenix applies the PierPass Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) to all peak-hour gate moves. Dual transactions (dropping off an empty and picking up an import in one gate visit) receive a $25 discount on the TMF. Gate hours: Monday–Friday 0600–1700 (day shift), 1800–0300 (OffPeak shift). Saturday OffPeak available select weeks. Portal: fenixmarineservices.com
TraPac Los Angeles (Pier 400 – Container Terminal A)
TraPac Los Angeles operates a highly automated terminal on the north end of the Port of LA complex, adjacent to APM Pier 400. TraPac serves vessel calls from ONE (Ocean Network Express), MOL legacy services, and several trans-Pacific joint ventures. TraPac's automated guided vehicle (AGV) system delivers containers to the gate from a vertical stacking crane yard — gate transaction times average 30–45 minutes once the container is available.
Free days (dry import): 4 calendar days from vessel discharge. Free days (reefer import): 2 calendar days. Storage rate (dry) after LFD: Days 1–4: $75/day per 20' / $110/day per 40'; Days 5+: $150/day per 20' / $210/day per 40' (per TraPac LA Tariff Schedule, January 2026). Storage rate (reefer) after LFD: $145/day per 40' (includes continuous power). Special policies: TraPac operates OffPeak gates Tuesday–Friday 1800–0200. Truck pre-registration through TraPac's eModal portal is required for all gate appointments. Containers placed in a Tail-of-Vessel (TOV) hold are not accessible until the hold is released — verify status on the TraPac portal before dispatching a trucker. Portal: trapac.com/los-angeles
WBCT — West Basin Container Terminal (Pier J)
West Basin Container Terminal (WBCT) at Pier J is one of the Port of LA's mid-size terminals, handling primarily COSCO, OOCL, and Evergreen alliance services. WBCT operates a conventional yard with reach stacker and RTG equipment, offering more scheduling flexibility than the fully automated facilities. Note that WBCT's physical location places it between the Port of LA and Port of Long Beach jurisdictions — for billing and tariff purposes it operates under POLA authority.
Free days (dry import): 4 calendar days from vessel discharge. Free days (reefer import): 2 calendar days. Storage rate (dry) after LFD: Days 1–3: $80/day per 20' / $120/day per 40'; Days 4–6: $145/day per 20' / $200/day per 40'; Day 7+: $200/day per 20' / $270/day per 40' (per WBCT Tariff Schedule, Q1 2026). Storage rate (reefer) after LFD: $135/day per 40' plus $30/day refrigeration surcharge. Special policies: WBCT participates in PierPass OffPeak. WBCT does not offer Saturday day-shift gate hours — OffPeak Saturday windows are available on a limited published schedule. Containers with a U.S. Customs EXAM hold are exempt from terminal storage during the hold period, provided the hold documentation is on file at the terminal office. Portal: Container lookup via eModal or by calling WBCT dispatch at (310) 952-4600.
YTI — Yusen Terminals (Pier 300)
Yusen Terminals (YTI) operates on the south side of Pier 300 and handles primary vessel calls for NYK Line legacy services, K Line, and MOL-affiliated joint services through the ONE carrier umbrella. YTI processes approximately 800,000 TEUs annually. The terminal operates a hybrid yard with both wheeled storage rows and grounded stack areas, giving it moderate flexibility during peak discharge periods.
Free days (dry import): 5 calendar days from vessel discharge — one of the more generous allowances among LA terminals. Free days (reefer import): 3 calendar days. Storage rate (dry) after LFD: Days 1–4: $75/day per 20' / $110/day per 40'; Days 5–8: $135/day per 20' / $185/day per 40'; Day 9+: $185/day per 20' / $250/day per 40' (per YTI Terminal Tariff, January 2026). Storage rate (reefer) after LFD: $120/day per 40' plus $35/day plugin charge. Special policies: YTI offers OffPeak gate windows Monday–Thursday 1800–0200. YTI has a published hazmat handling fee of $350/container for IMDG Class 1–3 cargo beyond standard gate processing. Reefer pre-notification required 6 hours in advance. Portal: yti.com
Everport Terminal Services (Berth 226–236)
Everport Terminal Services operates at Berths 226–236 in the Port of LA and handles a mix of breakbulk and container services, with primary container customers including ZIM Integrated Shipping Services and selected transpacific charter services. Everport is the smallest of the six active LA container terminals by TEU volume, but its conventional yard and non-automated operations make it one of the more predictable for gate transaction times.
Free days (dry import): 4 calendar days from vessel discharge. Free days (reefer import): 2 calendar days. Storage rate (dry) after LFD: Days 1–4: $75/day per 20' / $110/day per 40'; Day 5+: $145/day per 20' / $200/day per 40' (per Everport Terminal Tariff Schedule, Q1 2026). Storage rate (reefer) after LFD: $125/day per 40' including power. Special policies: Everport participates in PierPass OffPeak. Gate hours are Monday–Friday day shift and OffPeak Tuesday–Thursday nights. No Saturday gate is currently published. Dual transactions are accepted. Containers on an FDA or USDA hold are held from storage billing only after written confirmation from the relevant agency is submitted to the terminal — verbal notification does not pause the clock. Portal: eModal for gate scheduling; container status via Port of Los Angeles container tracking.
LA Terminal Free Days Comparison Table
The table below summarizes key free day and storage rate data across all six active Port of Los Angeles container terminals. All rates are per the respective terminal's published tariff as of Q1 2026 and apply to standard import containers. Rates for oversized, project cargo, and hazardous material containers differ — consult each terminal's tariff directly.
| Terminal | Pier / Berth | Dry Free Days | Reefer Free Days | Dry Storage Day 1 (40') | Dry Storage Peak (40') | Reefer Storage (40') | OffPeak Gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APM Terminals | Pier 400 | 4 days | 2 days | $112/day | $270/day (Day 9+) | $165 + $35 plug | Yes |
| Fenix Marine | Pier 300 | 4 days | 2 days | $115/day | $265/day (Day 8+) | $130/day | Yes |
| TraPac LA | Container Terminal A | 4 days | 2 days | $110/day | $210/day (Day 5+) | $145/day | Yes |
| WBCT | Pier J | 4 days | 2 days | $120/day | $270/day (Day 7+) | $135 + $30 surcharge | Yes (limited Sat) |
| YTI (Yusen) | Pier 300 | 5 days | 3 days | $110/day | $250/day (Day 9+) | $120 + $35 plugin | Yes |
| Everport | Berths 226–236 | 4 days | 2 days | $110/day | $200/day (Day 5+) | $125/day | Yes (Tue–Thu) |
Source: Individual terminal published tariffs, Q1 2026. Rates subject to change without notice. For Long Beach terminal rates, see our Port of Long Beach Free Days guide.
Port of LA–Specific Policies That Affect LFD
PierPass and the Traffic Mitigation Fee
PierPass administers the OffPeak Program across all San Pedro Bay terminals (POLA and POLB). The Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) applies to all gate transactions during peak daytime hours (generally 0300–1800 Monday–Friday). As of Q1 2026, the TMF is $35.29 per TEU for import pickups during peak hours. OffPeak transactions (evenings and select Saturdays) are TMF-exempt.
The TMF does not affect your LFD — it is a separate gate transaction surcharge. However, if your LFD falls on a day when OffPeak windows are unavailable (e.g., a Monday when no OffPeak is scheduled), you will either pay the TMF for a daytime pickup or risk missing LFD by waiting for the next OffPeak window. Factor this into your pickup planning when containers have tight free-day windows.
Gate Hours and Their Impact on LFD
LA terminal gate operations directly affect your practical ability to pick up a container before LFD. If LFD falls on a Saturday and the terminal does not operate a Saturday gate, you must retrieve the container by Friday or accept the first day of storage charges. Most terminals at POLA do not operate Sunday gates. Plan drayage with the specific terminal's published gate schedule in hand — not a general assumption about port hours.
The Port of Los Angeles trucking resources page publishes current gate hour schedules and OffPeak availability updates for all terminals.
Clean Truck Fee and Drayage Planning
The Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Fee (CTF) applies to drayage moves at POLA terminals. As of 2026, the fee is $10 per TEU for compliant clean trucks (model year 2014+). The CTF is collected at the gate as part of the transaction — it does not affect LFD calculation but adds to the total cost of a terminal gate visit. Carriers using older trucks (pre-2014) are not permitted at POLA terminals, which constrains last-minute drayage options when compliant capacity is tight during peak seasons.
CBP and Government Exam Holds
Containers selected for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intensive examination, an FDA inspection, or a USDA hold are effectively inaccessible during the hold period. Under FMC guidelines implementing OSRA 2022, terminal storage charges should not accrue while a government hold prevents pickup — but this protection is not automatic. You must submit the hold documentation to the terminal directly. APM, TraPac, and YTI require written CBP hold confirmation before pausing the storage clock. Fenix, WBCT, and Everport have similar requirements but handle documentation through their respective terminal operations offices.
Operational Recommendations for LA Terminals
Managing free days terminal Los Angeles effectively requires knowing which terminal each vessel calls before it arrives. Confirm the terminal assignment from your carrier's vessel schedule or booking confirmation — vessel sharing arrangements on the major trans-Pacific services mean a single vessel may call multiple terminals, and containers from the same bill of lading can occasionally be split across facilities.
With 4-day dry import free days at most LA terminals (and only 5 days at YTI), the window is tight. Pre-clear customs, pre-arrange drayage, and confirm container availability before dispatching a trucker. A container that discharged on Monday with a 4-day allowance has an LFD of Friday — missing a Friday OffPeak window means the earliest retrieval is the following Tuesday morning (assuming no Saturday gate), and three days of storage charges will already be accruing by then.
For step-by-step guidance on checking your LFD before containers arrive, see How to Check Last Free Day on Maersk. For a side-by-side comparison with the Port of Long Beach terminals across the bay, see Port of Long Beach Free Days.