What Makes Matson Different
Unlike most ocean carriers that share port infrastructure with dozens of other shipping lines, Matson operates its own terminals and uses dedicated equipment. This gives Matson a structural advantage in transit time reliability.
Matson’s key differentiators:
– Own dedicated terminal at Long Beach (SSA-C60) — no sharing with other carriers
– Fastest ocean transit from China to US West Coast: 12–13 days (vs. 14–16 days for competitors)
– Next-day cargo availability at destination — goods ready for pickup the day after arrival
– Dedicated chassis fleet at terminal — no appointment delays for container pickup
– Rail and truck connections to all major inland US cities
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Matson Services Explained
CLX — China–Long Beach Express
CLX is Matson’s flagship expedited service. It is the fastest ocean freight option from China to the US.
Route: Shanghai / Ningbo → Long Beach, California
Transit time: 12–13 days (88% on-time record based on published schedules)
Frequency: Weekly departures
What makes CLX fast:
1. Matson’s dedicated SSA-C60 terminal at Long Beach has no queues — ships go straight to their own berth
2. Matson’s own trailer fleet moves containers from berth to the off-dock yard immediately
3. No shared terminal congestion — Matson controls the entire chain
CLX+ — China–Long Beach Express Plus
CLX+ is a slightly slower but more economical version of CLX. It uses the same routing but with slightly adjusted vessel speed.
Route: Shanghai / Ningbo → Long Beach
Transit time: 14–19 days (varies by schedule)
When to choose CLX+: When CLX is sold out or when your inventory timeline allows for the extra few days and you want to save on freight cost.
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Transit Times from China to Major US Destinations
Ocean Transit (Port to Port)
| Service | Shanghai → Long Beach | Ningbo → Long Beach |
|———|———————-|———————|
| CLX | 12–13 days | 13–14 days |
| CLX+ | 14–16 days | 15–17 days |
Door-to-Door (Including Truck/Rail)
| Destination | CLX Typical Transit | CLX+ Typical Transit |
|————|———————|———————|
| Los Angeles area | 14–17 days | 19–22 days |
| Inland Southern CA (ONT8) | 18–20 days | 19–22 days |
| Phoenix (PHX7) | 22–27 days | 29–39 days |
| Dallas/Fort Worth (FTW1) | 20–23 days | 27–32 days |
| Chicago (MDW2) | 24–29 days | 26–29 days |
| New York (TEB8) | 22–24 days | ~30 days |
| Memphis (MEM1) | 26–29 days | 25–36 days |
*Data based on published Matson schedules; percentages indicate on-time arrival probability.*
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Current Rate Positioning (2026)
Matson’s rates are higher than ZIM/HECDC and OA Alliance carriers — typically 30–60% more expensive than the cheapest ocean freight options on the China–US route.
However, the price premium is justified by:
– Faster transit (fewer days of inventory in transit = less working capital tied up)
– Higher reliability (fewer delays = fewer stockouts)
– No port congestion delays (dedicated terminal)
For comparison (2026 rate estimates):
– Matson CLX: $3,500–$5,500 per 40GP (varies by market)
– ZIM/HECDC ZEX: $2,500–$4,000 per 40GP
– OA Alliance FCL: $2,000–$3,500 per 40GP
*Rates fluctuate weekly with market conditions.*
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Who Should Choose Matson?
Best For:
Amazon FBA sellers with fast-selling SKUs — If a week of delay means a stockout that costs you in ranking, Matson’s speed is worth the premium.
High-value or time-sensitive goods — Electronics, seasonal products, and products with high holding costs benefit most from Matson’s speed.
Sellers with premium products — If your product margin can absorb the higher freight cost, Matson’s reliability is a competitive advantage.
Low-inventory sellers — If you run lean inventory and need shipments to arrive predictably, Matson’s on-time record reduces the risk of stockouts.
Less Suitable For:
Budget-conscious sellers with slow-moving inventory — If your products sit in a warehouse for weeks before selling out, the speed advantage of Matson does not justify the premium.
Large-volume, long-lead-time shipments — If you have months of forward inventory and rate is your primary concern, ZIM or OA Alliance may be better choices.
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How to Book Matson Freight
Matson’s services are primarily booked through licensed freight forwarders who have contracted space on Matson vessels. You cannot book directly with Matson as an individual importer.
When getting a Matson freight quote, make sure you specify:
– Service level: CLX or CLX+ (CLX is faster)
– Origin port: Shanghai or Ningbo
– Destination: Port of Long Beach or inland destination
– Container type: 20GP, 40GP, or 40HC
– Cargo description and volume
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matson faster than other ocean carriers?
Yes. Matson’s CLX service offers the fastest transit time from China to the US West Coast at 12–13 days. The next fastest options (ZIM ZEX) typically take 14–15 days.
Does Matson ship from other Chinese ports besides Shanghai and Ningbo?
Currently, Matson’s CLX and CLX+ services operate from Shanghai and Ningbo only. For other Chinese ports, alternative carriers like ZIM or OA Alliance may be more suitable.
Can Matson deliver to Amazon FBA warehouses?
Yes. Matson delivers to the Port of Long Beach, and from there, your freight forwarder arranges truck delivery to Amazon FBA warehouses across the US.
How much faster is CLX compared to ZIM ZEX?
CLX is approximately 1–2 days faster in port-to-port transit. The gap can be larger for inland destinations due to Matson’s superior terminal operations and rail/truck connections.
Does Matson offer LCL service?
Matson primarily offers FCL (Full Container Load) services. For LCL shipments, consolidated services through freight forwarders using other carriers are more common.
Is Matson affected by port congestion?
Matson is significantly less affected by port congestion than other carriers because it operates its own dedicated terminal at Long Beach. During periods of port congestion in 2021–2022, Matson’s terminals remained largely operational while shared terminals saw days-long delays.
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Ready to Get a Quote?
Matson is one of our core carrier partners. We can provide you with a Matson freight quote within 10 minutes. [Contact us](/) with your shipment details — origin port, destination, volume, and cargo type — and we will give you a clear, all-inclusive rate.
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Sources: Port of Los Angeles official data, FreightWaves market analysis, JOC.com.