Container stuffing, de-stuffing and lashing
Stuffing is loading cargo into a container. De-stuffing is unloading it. Lashing is securing the cargo so it does not shift in transit. We arrange the work at a warehouse or yard and check the count against your packing list.
What it is
Cargo that is badly loaded can shift, crush or fall when the container is lifted, trucked or rocked at sea. Stuffing is the work of placing cargo so weight is spread evenly, with gaps filled and the load held in place.
De-stuffing is the reverse: unloading at the destination and checking what came out. Both are done at a warehouse or yard arranged by us. We do not run the site. We book it, and we coordinate the labour and the checks.
When to use it
- You need cargo packed properly into a container without doing it yourself.
- You have cargo from several suppliers to combine into one container.
- A container arrives and you need it unloaded, counted and sorted.
- The cargo is heavy, uneven or fragile and needs bracing or dunnage.
What we handle
- Stuffing and de-stuffing at a warehouse or yard arranged by us
- Load planning so weight sits evenly in the container
- Lashing, bracing and dunnage suited to the cargo
- Count and condition checks against the packing list
- Verified gross mass (VGM) details for the carrier
How it runs
- Quote: you send the cargo, the container size and where the work should happen.
- Load plan: we check how the cargo fits, where the heavy items go and what bracing it needs.
- Site booking: we book the site, the labour and the container delivery for the date.
- Stuffing: the cargo is loaded, counted against the packing list and secured.
- Closing and handover: the doors are shut, the seal number is recorded, and we pass the weight details for VGM and book the truck to the port.
What to send us for a quote
| Detail | Why we ask |
|---|---|
| Cargo type and packing | Pallets, cartons, drums and loose pieces are secured differently |
| Number and size of pieces | To draw the load plan |
| Total weight | To balance the load and check the payload |
| Container size | 20 ft and 40 ft hold different loads |
| Where the work should happen | To book a suitable site |
Good to know
- Put the heaviest items low and near the middle. Weight kept to one end can make a container unsafe to lift or truck.
- Fill gaps with dunnage (packing material such as airbags or timber) so cartons cannot move. Empty space is where damage starts.
- Timber used in packing, such as pallets and crates, may need to meet wood packaging rules at the destination. Check them before you load. See packing and marking.
Questions
Can you stuff a container that has cargo from different suppliers?
Yes, if each lot arrives marked and documented. We check counts against each supplier's packing list.
Who signs the VGM?
The shipper is responsible for the verified gross mass. We collect the weight details and pass them to the carrier on your instructions.