In shipping, stuffing and de-stuffing are the two terms you must come across. Understanding the difference between the two and demystifying the importance of each is vital.
Stuffing is the act of loading goods into a container. Cargo is moved to the preferred freight station, after which it is carefully unloaded into the warehouse. While the cargo is still in the warehouse, customs clearance procedures are carried out. Upon completion, the goods are then loaded into the container to be shipped to the final destination.
De-stuffing, on the other hand, means unloading goods from a container. It is vital to practice proper stuffing. Improper stuffing of cargo contributes to damaging the cargo in the process as well as during de-stuffing. This is easy to avoid by practicing adequate packaging, using sufficient containers, properly loading the pallets, and labelling correctly.
To stuff cargo into the container sounds pretty much straightforward, but truth be told, you can’t do it anyhow. Incorporating some techniques while at it will come in handy for the team that will be de-stuffing; however, it takes some training to understand the science of packing and unpacking. In as much as filling the container from the floor to the top may seem like the best plan to utilize space in the container, it is best to avoid that because it could damage goods while unloading.
This step involves reaching the cartons that pile to the top of the container. It is not a walk in the park and requires some practical experience to wing this step effortlessly. A rookie might have a difficult time here. Still, a guru understands that such stuffing is vital to protect the cargo from humidity or moisture, incorporating his experience into making it all easy.
In a situation where multiple SKU containers are involved; sortation is critical at this level. The most important thing here is having cartons of good quality. The last thing you need is cartons that can’t be conveyed quickly. Portable slinky conveyors are ideal for fastening the process because they reduce lifting and walking, hence saving time.
This stage gets us into the warehouse. After de-stuffing, the goods have got to be in a safe environment. Here the predetermined arrangement for the cartons comes into play. They are arranged into a pallet. This creates the optimal handling unit for easy storage in the warehouse.
At this stage, an inbound receipt process is carried out before wrapping and putting a pallet away.
At this point, it is safe to depict that container de-stuffing is more than just the arrival of shipped goods. It involves a unique procedure that must be carried out by trained personnel. If the contrary is the case, it might damage the cargo and failure to palletize and wrap may lead to significant confusion.
The insight above is critical to help you in stuffing and de-stuffing freight cargo. It can be challenging, but with some training and a little practice, you will be good to go.
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