---
title: "Devanning"
description: "Devanning is the act of unloading cargo from a container."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flexport.com/glossary/devanning/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-10-08T14:52:03Z
topics:
  - "Inventory Management"
  - "Ocean Freight"
  - "Warehouse Network"
---

# Devanning

Devanning is the act of unloading cargo from a container.

## What is devanning?

Devanning is the act of unloading cargo from a container.

An FCL shipment will be devanned at a warehouse destination. An [LCL (Less than Container Load)](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/less-than-container-load/)  will be devanned (or deconsolidated) at a [CFS (Container Freight Station)](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/container-freight-station/) destination.

## How does devanning work?

Workers open the container doors, check the seal number against the paperwork, and unload the cargo by hand, with a forklift, or with a pallet jack. Palletized cargo unloads faster than loose cartons, which workers often have to take out one box at a time. Staff inspect the goods for damage and count them against the packing list.

People also call devanning unstuffing or de-stuffing. Facilities often charge per pallet or per container, and a container left waiting to be devanned can build up detention and storage charges, so book the unloading appointment before the container arrives.

![Open shipping container doors revealing the interior stacked with cardboard boxes arranged in rows on the floor.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/fa4a67b04d01faa2f678fcff1b2e09ce2186a790-550x488.gif)

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/).

---

*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flexport.com/glossary/devanning/](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/devanning/) for AI/LLM consumption.*