Container stripping means unloading an import container in a warehouse, then sorting, palletising and delivering the cargo. When your container arrives at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, PLS has it stripped in Antwerp, and the empty box is usually back at the terminal within two days.
The containers we have stripped mostly come from the USA, China, India, the Middle East and South America. Think machinery, general cargo on pallets such as food, drinks and household appliances, and reefers packed with loose cartons of frozen fruit. We have access to several warehouses in Antwerp, including frozen storage, and to ADR warehouses elsewhere in Belgium.
What is container stripping?
Container stripping, also called devanning, destuffing or container unloading, means emptying a sea container away from the terminal. The container goes from the quay to a warehouse, is unloaded there and returns empty. Your goods stay behind, ready for handling or onward transport.
The reverse, loading a container for export, is container stuffing. We arrange that too.
When is container stripping cheaper than unloading at your own site?
If your business is far from the port, stripping in Antwerp is often the cheaper option. With direct delivery, a container truck brings the full box to you and later collects it empty. If the container is stripped in Antwerp, one truck run to your address is enough.
It also saves you hassle. No need to keep a loading dock free or put people on unloading cartons by hand.
If you are close to the port and have a dock, direct delivery may be the better choice. We will tell you so.
How fast is your container back empty at the terminal?
Usually within two days of collection at the quay, and in exceptional cases the same day. Speed matters, because the shipping line charges rent once the free days run out. On the terminal, this is demurrage. Outside the terminal, it is detention.
Two days is our usual turnaround, not a guarantee. Terminal congestion can play a part. We plan collection and stripping so your container can return within its free days.
After stripping, your cargo is usually collected by truck the next day. If your own warehouse is not ready yet, it can go into temporary storage first.
Which containers and goods do we strip?
Dry containers and high cubes
We have standard 20ft and 40ft dry containers and high cubes stripped, whatever is inside. Cargo comes on pallets, in crates or floor-loaded up to the roof. That can be machinery, food, drinks and household appliances, as well as textiles, furniture, tyres or building materials.
Frozen cargo from reefers
Reefers with loose cartons of frozen fruit are stripped in a frozen storage warehouse in Antwerp. That keeps the cargo out of an ambient hall during unloading and palletising. For moving chilled and frozen containers by road, see our page on reefer transport with genset.
Flat racks, heavy machinery and oversized crates
Heavy machinery and oversized crates often arrive on a flat rack. Stripping them is everyday work for us. If the machine then needs to move on as exceptional transport, we arrange that leg too.
How does palletising after stripping work?
Loose cartons cannot simply go onto a truck. We have them palletised to your specifications. You choose the pallet type, whether pallets are stretch-wrapped and how they are labelled: by SKU or by destination.
If you have a packing list, we sort the packages against it. If one container serves several customers, we build separate pallets per destination.
How does container stripping work, step by step?
- You send us your shipment details and receive a quote.
- We have the container collected at the quay in Antwerp.
- The container is unloaded in a suitable warehouse: standard, frozen or ADR.
- Any damage or package discrepancy is photographed straight away.
- The cargo is sorted and palletised to your specifications.
- The empty container returns to the terminal.
- Your goods are usually delivered by truck the next day, or go into storage first.
Request a quote for container stripping
Want to know what container stripping costs for your shipment? Send us the container type, the goods with their HS code, the weight, the current and required packaging, and the number of packages. With that information we can turn your quote around quickly. You can also call or email us: you will speak to the person who then follows up your shipment.