• Unloading cargo ships at the country's largest port can take up to two months.
• It takes approximately 73 days for shipments from China to the US to reach their destination -- more than a month after Christmas.
• Although several major retailers have attempted to resolve the problem, it may not be enough.

You might be too late to start holiday shopping.

The nation's biggest port is experiencing major congestion, which has led to price increases and shortages right in the midst of peak holiday shopping season. The Southern California pile-up of cargo ships has caused delays for up to two months for them to unload and dock at the port. This means that shipments still stuck off the coast will not reach their destination in time for Christmas.

The waiting game does not end once the ship docks. Last month saw an unprecedented increase in dwell time for unloaded containers as truckers struggled to access the cargo.

Many retailers expressed concern about the backup. Martin Waters, CEO of Victoria's Secret, stated last week that 45% of its fall inventory was stranded at sea due to the shipping crisis.

Port delays add to shipping times that are 83% longer than before the pandemic.

The US imports a lot of its goods from abroad, especially China. China is a major source of furniture, auto parts, tech, and toys. According to Freightos data, shipments from China to the US take an average of 73 day to reach their destination. Christmas arrives in 31 days.

Consumers will face shortages during the holiday season due to the extended turnaround times. Online shoppers might not receive their goods until after the holidays. Many major retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, are well-known for having large warehouses. However, even large corporations are trying to replenish their inventory that has been reduced since the pandemic.

Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation previously stated to Insider that "shortages are guaranteed." Although retailers are making a lot of progress, especially as they approach peak shopping season, there is only so much that you can do.