Short answerChoose the coast closest to most of your customers and your import route. East Coast warehousing suits brands with many Northeast and Mid-Atlantic customers or European suppliers; West Coast warehousing suits brands with Western customers or Asian imports via Pacific ports. Larger brands often use both.
Start with your customer map
Export your last 6–12 months of orders by ZIP code or state. If a large share goes to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, an East Coast warehouse shortens transit for those orders. If most go west, start there.
Consider your import route
Goods from Europe typically arrive at East Coast ports. Goods from Asia often land on the West Coast, though many Asia services also call at East Coast ports. Matching warehouse location to your arrival port reduces inland trucking.
Comparison
| East Coast | West Coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby markets | Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast | West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest |
| Typical import origin | Europe; Asia via all-water services | Asia via Pacific ports |
| Good for | Brands with East Coast-heavy demand | Brands with West-heavy demand |
When to use both
As volume grows, splitting inventory between coasts can shorten transit for both halves of the country. Many brands start with one location and add a second when shipping costs justify it. Our New Jersey warehouse can be your East Coast location.