Unloading.ca

Professional shipping container unloading personnel are called Lumpers (not the most elegant title, I know.) Lumpers specialize in manually handling large amounts of cargo, typically from trucks, shipping containers or train cars. The cargo is usually palletized to the customer’s specifications.

The act of removing cargo from a shipping container can be referred to as container unloading, container de-stuffing, or container de-vanning.

It certainly can be.

Shipping container work is the #1 cause of injury to warehouse workers in BC.

Shipping container work has caused 1 out of 4 warehouse injuries, resulting in over $1.7 million dollars in claim costs, and over 7 thousand days of lost work over the course of 5 years.

Source ― WorkSafeBC Industry Claims Analysis for 5 years 2018 to 2022

Hiring a professional shipping container unloading service provider will ensure that the cargo handling work is done safely, efficiently, and will drastically reduce the risk of injury to yourself and your staff.

1. Dependability : Container unloading work is often a time-sensitive operation that must be completed with short notice, sometimes within 24 hours.
2. Experience : More experience means fewer mistakes and faster work.
3. Professionalism : Integrity, respect and a strong work ethic distinguish the good from the great.
4. Insurance Coverage : Should there be any serious incidents or damages, ensure that you choose a service provider that is covered.
5. Organization : Attention to detail is necessary to ensure that all your cargo is accounted for and organized in a logical way.
6. Container Clean-Up : Once unloaded, containers must be cleared of dunnage (packaging and straps) and cleaned of any debris.
7. Additional Services : Offering stretch film hand-wrapping and forklift certified staffing can be helpful add-on services.
8. Detailed Invoice : Detailed invoices which include the BIC Code (Container Number) and the services provided help to track which containers were unloaded and when.
9. Approachable and Accommodating : It’s always nicer to work with friendly people. 🙂

Working with Unloading.ca is fairly straightforward.

1. Kindly share with us the details of your incoming container and the expected arrival date. Our team will promptly respond to your message.
2. Next, we will schedule and dispatch our team to arrive at the unloading location on the desired day and time to conduct the container unloading work.
3. Once the container is emptied and cleared of dunnage and debris, the container number will be documented for reference.
4. A detailed invoice will be shared with you, including the date of the work conducted, the container number for reference and any add-on services requested.

Please fill out our Get Started form so that we have all needed information before starting work with you.

Having worked in this industry for over 3 years, we understand that delays are the norm and that it’s often difficult to predict when shipping containers may be released from the ports. We are almost always able to accommodate next-day service requests, sometimes within 24-hours.

• Shipping Container Loading & Unloading
• Vehicle & Large Item De-Stuffing
• Trans‑Loading & Cross‑Docking
• Stretch Film Hand‑Wrapping
• Forklift Operating
• Re-Palletizing
• Warehousing & Storage (Partnered service)
• Transportation, Drayage & Customs Brokerage (Partnered service)

Yes. We possess full coverage for our staff and the work that we conduct. A copy of our WorkSafeBC and CGL insurance policy can be share with you upon request.

Unloading.ca services all of Metro Vancouver BC. Most of our clients are located in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Delta and Surrey.

Costs will vary based on a number of factors, but average between $200-$500. Please Contact Us directly for a quote, or refer to our Rates section for our pricing structure.

Unloading.ca was founded by Anthony Grisé in 2021. After unloading a few hundred containers on his own, his entrepreneurial aspirations led him to create a service business that specializes in shipping container unloading.

Your freight forwarder will almost certainly be able to update you on the status and expected arrival of your shipping container.

You can also visit the Port of Vancouver website to find out about port delays.

The time it takes to unload a shipping container varies based on the size of the container and the number and weights of the cargo within. However, from our experience, unloading a container can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours.

If a container needs to be unloaded in an area without a receiving dock (or in other words, unloaded from the truck chassis), the items can be passed down to ground staff and brought to the designated receiving area. However, if the contents are too heavy to lift by hand, a forklift or telehandler must be used to safely remove the cargo from the shipping container.

Unloading.ca has experience with complexe and unusual no-dock container unloading, so would be happy to help with your non-warehouse unloads!

SKU is an acronym that stands for "Stock-Keeping Unit". It's typically represented by a number that identifies a specific product or good that is distinct from the other products or goods contained within a shipment.

For example, a shipping container may be filled with 5 different office chairs of differing colours. Each chair would therefore have a unique SKU that distinguishes it from the others, and helps to sort the unloaded items.