SOONEST EXPRESS INC
License: ARR (Permitted)
Est. 1997
About SOONEST EXPRESS INC
Soonest Express Inc is a licensed U.S. customs broker headquartered in City of Industry, CA, with roots tracing back to 1984 when the company was founded in Taiwan providing customs brokerage and airfreight services. After decades of international expansion across Asia and into North America, Soonest Express established its U.S. headquarters in 1997 and has since grown to serve importers across Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and New York. The company offers a full range of logistics and brokerage services including customs entry preparation, ISF filing, air freight, ocean freight, warehousing, and e-commerce fulfillment. With a strong Asia-Pacific network and deep expertise in trans-Pacific trade lanes, Soonest Express is a capable partner for importers moving goods from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and across Asia into the United States.
Soonest Express Inc has built one of the more distinctive origin stories in the U.S. customs brokerage industry. Founded in Taiwan in 1984, the company initially provided customs brokerage and limited airfreight services before expanding into full international airfreight in 1989. By 1991, Soonest had established its first overseas subsidiary in Hong Kong, laying the groundwork for a genuinely global logistics network. In 1997, the company brought its operations to North America, settling its headquarters in San Francisco before expanding to Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and New York. Today, the company operates out of City of Industry, CA — a hub ideally positioned near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the busiest container ports in the United States and the primary entry points for goods imported from Asia.
For importers sourcing products from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, Soonest Express offers a natural advantage: decades of on-the-ground experience on both sides of the Pacific. The company's brokerage team handles customs entry preparation, HTS code classification, and ensures importers meet importer of record requirements at the time of arrival. Proper 10-digit HTS code determination is critical for accurate duty assessment, and Soonest's brokers bring the classification experience needed to get it right.
Soonest Express also manages ISF 10+2 filing — the importer security filing required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before vessel departure. Missing or late ISF submissions can trigger costly penalties and cargo holds, making experienced ISF management an essential service for ocean importers. The team assists clients with continuous customs bond procurement and single entry bond options depending on import volume and frequency.
Beyond traditional brokerage, Soonest Express has invested heavily in e-commerce logistics infrastructure, offering e-fulfillment, e-forward, and reverse logistics services. This positions them well for importers navigating Section 321 de minimis entries and Type 86 entry filings, which are increasingly relevant as cross-border e-commerce volumes grow. Their warehouse capabilities in the City of Industry area support last-mile distribution and inventory management for e-commerce brands importing from Asia.
With air freight, ocean freight, and land transport rounding out the service portfolio, Soonest Express functions as a single-source logistics partner for importers who want coordinated handling from origin to final delivery. Companies looking for a customs broker near the LA/Long Beach port complex with genuine Asia-Pacific roots and multi-modal freight capabilities will find Soonest Express a well-established option.
Specialties
Services
Details
- Year Established
- 1997
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Soonest Express Inc handle ISF filings for ocean shipments?
Yes. Soonest Express manages ISF 10+2 filings required by CBP for ocean imports, helping importers avoid penalties and cargo delays associated with late or missing filings.
Is Soonest Express experienced with Asia-Pacific import lanes?
Yes. Founded in Taiwan in 1984 with early offices in Hong Kong, Soonest Express has decades of experience handling imports from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the broader Asia-Pacific region into the U.S.
Does Soonest Express support e-commerce importers and Section 321 entries?
Soonest Express offers e-fulfillment, e-forward, and reverse logistics services alongside customs brokerage, making them a practical option for e-commerce importers including those utilizing Section 321 de minimis and Type 86 entry programs.
Where is Soonest Express Inc located and which ports do they serve?
Soonest Express is based in City of Industry, CA, with proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They also have offices in Chicago, Dallas, and New York.