**Yes—plan to collect your checked bags at LAX, take them through customs, and hand them back for your flight to DFW.** This applies even if the bags are tagged through to DFW. [American’s baggage policy](https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/customer-service/support/conditions-of-carriage.html) requires baggage collection when entering the U.S. from abroad.

The usual sequence at LAX is:

1. Clear U.S. immigration/passport control.
2. Collect your checked bags.
3. Go through customs with your bags.
4. Follow signs for **connecting flights/baggage recheck** and give your bags to the airline staff.
5. Go through TSA security again and head to your DFW gate.

If your bags already have DFW tags, rechecking is usually a simple bag drop. AA then handles their transfer to the onward flight. If you bought separate tickets, ask at PVG whether the bags can be tagged to DFW; you may need to use AA’s regular check-in counter at LAX.

To make the connection smoother:

- **If choosing a layover, I’d allow around three hours**, with extra time on separate tickets. Immigration queues, baggage delivery and security can vary.
- At PVG, confirm that the bag tags show **DFW**, get both boarding passes if available, and keep your baggage receipts.
- Check your departure gate in the AA app after landing. LAX has pedestrian connections between all terminals after security, plus terminal shuttles. [LAX connection guide](https://www.flylax.com/inter-terminal-connections)
- Keep medication, valuables and a change of clothes in your carry-on.

AA has introduced automatic baggage transfer on certain international routes, so follow any specific instructions from arrival staff. **For your Shanghai arrival, expect to collect and recheck your bags.**