Stuffing

What is stuffing?

Stuffing is the act of loading a container.

A supplier will stuff an FCL container at their premises. An LCL (less than container load) container will be stuffed at a CFS (Container Freight Station).

The container will be de-stuffed, or devanned, at the destination.

How do you stuff a container?

Stuffing starts with an inspection of the empty container for damage, holes, and odors. Workers then load the heaviest cargo first, place it low and centered, and secure it with dunnage, straps, or airbags so it can't move. They keep the weight balanced from front to back. Cargo that shifts in transit can damage goods and create safety risks.

Whoever stuffs the container should record the container number and seal number and make sure the packing list matches what's loaded. A container loaded below capacity wastes freight cost, so plan the load by cubic meters and weight limits before the container arrives.

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