Container destuffing services

Fast loading and efficient unloading of ocean containers 5 minutes from the Port of Vancouver. Complete stuffing, destuffing, from inspection sorting, and distribution services for your import cargo.

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2,000

Daily Pallet Throughput

44

Loading Bays

250k

Sq Ft Warehouse

What is container destuffing?

Container destuffing is the process of unloading products from shipping containers and preparing them for storage or onward distribution. It’s a critical step in the supply chain that ensures goods are accurately received, sorted, and staged for efficient warehouse handling or customer delivery.

When your containers arrive at our Delta facility, located just 5 minutes from the Port of Vancouver, we can quickly unload, inspect, and count the contents while minimizing drayage costs. Our proximity and streamlined processes enable faster turnaround, reducing storage bottlenecks and helping keep your supply chain moving smoothly.

Whether your containers arrive palletized or floor-loaded with loose cargo, our experienced team manages the complete destuffing process from unloading and inspection through to sorting, palletizing, and storing inventory or preparing it for direct shipment. We can also coordinate drayage from the port to our facility, providing a seamless end-to-end solution for your inbound shipments.

Our Destuffing Process

Container Arrival

Container arrives at our facility and is assigned to a receiving bay

Unload Cargo

Team unloads palletized or loose cargo from the container

Inspect & Count

Thorough quality inspection with piece counts and documentation

Sort & Palletize

Organize by SKU, palletize loose cargo if needed

Store or Ship

Move to warehouse storage or cross-dock for immediate distribution

Container Types We Handle

Our facility and equipment are set up to handle the most common ocean container types arriving at the Port of Vancouver. Whether you’re importing a single container or managing high-volume shipments, we have the capacity to process your cargo efficiently.

20′ Standard Container

Standard twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers commonly used for heavy or dense cargo shipments.

40′ Standard Container

Forty-foot containers ideal for larger volume shipments and lighter-weight goods

40′ High-Cube Container

Extra height (9’6″) containers perfect for voluminous, lightweight cargo or tall items.

Flat Rack Container

Open-sided containers for oversized cargo, machinery, and items that don’t fit standard containers.

Palletized and Floor-Loaded Containers

We handle both palletized and floor-loaded (loose cargo) containers. The majority of containers we process arrive palletized for efficient unloading, but our team is fully equipped to handle floor-loaded containers that require manual unstuffing and palletizing. Floor-loaded containers take additional time and labor, but we manage this regularly for clients importing goods packed loose to maximize container space.

Value-Added Destuffing Services

Container destuffing at Canadian Alliance goes beyond simple cargo unloading. We offer a full range of value-added services to ensure your imported goods are properly documented, organized, and ready for the next stage of your supply chain.

Thorough Quality Inspection

We inspect incoming cargo for damage, discrepancies, and quality issues. Our detailed inspection process catches problems early so you can file claims promptly.

Piece Counts & Documentation

Accurate piece counts verified against your packing lists and commercial invoices. Complete receiving reports provided for your records.

Photo Documentation

Photographic evidence of container condition, cargo state, and any damage discovered during destuffing for claims and record-keeping.

Sorting & Labeling

Sort cargo by SKU, destination, or customer. Apply barcode labels, shipping labels, or retail tags as needed.

Palletizing

Convert floor-loaded loose cargo into properly stacked, wrapped pallets ready for storage or shipment.

WMS Inventory Receiving

All received inventory is scanned into our warehouse management system for real-time visibility and accurate tracking.

Why Choose Canadian Alliance for Container Destuffing?

Location matters when it comes to container destuffing. Every mile between the port and your destuffing facility adds cost and time to your import operations. Canadian Alliance offers the strategic advantage of proximity combined with the capacity and expertise to handle your cargo professionally.

The Canadian Alliance Advantage

24-hour standard order processing—orders ship quickly and reliably
Extensiv WMS with integrations to all major e-commerce platforms
Access to hundreds of vetted carriers with competitive rates
250,000+ square feet of warehouse space in Vancouver, BC
Both B2C and B2B fulfillment from a single facility
Strategic location near Port of Vancouver for imported inventory
National reach across Canada and into the U.S. through carrier network
Experienced team handling fulfillment for brands across multiple industries

Seamless Integrations

Connect your e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and ERP systems for automated order flow

Real-Time Inventory

See current stock levels across all SKUs, with low-stock alerts and reporting

Order Tracking

Track orders from receipt through shipment with status updates at every stage

Carrier Selection

Intelligent carrier selection based on destination, service level, and cost

Reporting & Analytics

Access fulfillment metrics, inventory reports, and performance dashboards

Automated Notifications

Customers receive shipping confirmations and tracking automatically

Destuffing + Distribution: The Complete Solution

Destuffing to storage

Unload your containers and store inventory in our warehouse until you need it. Ideal for building safety stock or managing seasonal inventory.

250,000 sq ft of warehouse space
WMS tracking and inventory management
Pick, pack, and ship when orders come in

Destuffing to Cross-Dock

Unload containers and immediately transfer cargo to outbound trucks for delivery. Skip storage entirely and get products to market faster.

Same-day turnaround possible
Sort by destination during destuffing
Consolidate with other shipments
Reduce handling and storage costs

Hybrid Approach

Split your container send some inventory directly to customers via cross-dock while storing the remainder for future orders.

Flexible allocation by SKU or quantity
Meet urgent orders immediately
Build inventory for ongoing fulfillment

Value-Added Fulfillment Services

Beyond standard pick, pack, and ship, Canadian Alliance offers additional services to support your fulfillment operations.

Kitting & Assembly

We can combine multiple SKUs into kits, bundles, or variety packs before they’re needed for fulfillment. This is ideal for subscription boxes, promotional bundles, gift sets, or any product that ships as a combination of components.

Pre-built kits stored as single SKUs
On-demand kitting at time of order
Component inventory tracking
Custom packaging for kits

Learn more about Kitting & Assembly →

Additional Services

Inventory Receiving: Detailed receiving with counts and quality checks
Returns Processing: Handle customer returns, inspect, and restock
Lot & Expiry Tracking: FIFO management for date-sensitive products
Serial Number Tracking: Track serialized items through fulfillment
Custom Packaging: Branded boxes, tissue, inserts as needed

Industries we serve

Canadian Alliance provides order fulfillment services across a range of industries. Our experience with diverse product types means we understand the specific handling, storage, and compliance requirements of your sector.

Food & Beverage

Shelf-stable food products, beverages, supplements, and specialty foods.

Lot tracking and FIFO rotation
Expiry date management
Allergen Management
Organic segregation and Management

Healthcare Supply

Medical supplies, healthcare products, and related equipment.

Lot and serial tracking
Compliance documentation
Secure storage options

Automotive

Aftermarket parts, accessories, and automotive supplies.

Part number accuracy
B2B and B2C fulfillment
Kitting for part bundles

Consumer Chemicals

Cleaning products, personal care, and consumer chemical goods.

Hazmat-certified storage
Proper segregation and handling
Compliance labelling

Home Appliances

Small and large appliances, home goods, and household products.

Careful handling for fragile items
Oversized item capabilities
B2B retail distribution

Consumer Electronics

Electronics, gadgets, accessories, and tech products.

Serial number tracking
Secure storage
High-value item handling

Ready to Outsource Your Fulfillment?

Contact Canadian Alliance to discuss how our order fulfillment services can support your business growth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is container destuffing?

Container destuffing (also called container stripping or unstuffing) is the process of unloading cargo from ocean shipping containers. It includes removing products from the container, inspecting and counting the goods, documenting any damage or discrepancies, and preparing the cargo for storage or distribution.

How quickly can you unload a container?

Our average destuffing time is approximately less than an hour per container for standard palletized loads. Floor-loaded containers with loose cargo take longer due to the additional labour required for manual unloading and palletizing. We’ll provide timing estimates based on your specific container configuration.

Do you handle floor-loaded containers?

Yes, we handle both palletized and floor-loaded containers. While most containers we process arrive palletized, we regularly unload floor-loaded containers with loose cargo. Our team will manually unload, sort, and palletize the goods during the destuffing process.

What documentation do you provide after destuffing?

We provide comprehensive receiving reports that include piece counts verified against your packing list, notation of any damage or discrepancies discovered, and photo documentation of the container and cargo condition. All inventory is entered into our WMS, giving you real-time visibility into your stock.

Can you arrange drayage from the port?

Yes. While destuffing is our core service, we can coordinate drayage to transport your containers from the Port of Vancouver to our facility. Our location is 5 minutes from the port, which means minimal drayage costs and fast turnaround. Contact us to discuss full-service import logistics.

What information do you need to provide a destuffing quote?

To quote destuffing services, we need to know: container type and size (20′, 40′, high-cube), whether the container is palletized or floor-loaded, expected piece counts or pallet counts, any value-added services required (sorting, labelling, palletizing), and whether you need storage or immediate distribution after destuffing.