Cross-Docking in Transportation: What You Need to Know
Cross-docking is a transportation term meaning that a trailer is emptied before it reaches a consignee or customer. Cross-docking allows products going to the same location to be consolidated into fewer transportation vehicles, making the delivery process simpler, quicker, and easier.
Freight that arrives in ocean containers can be consolidated by using cross-docking. Ocean containers can have their contents broken down and then either moved to a consignee or to a cross-dock. Experienced drayage companies can help you decide the best options to consolidate your freight.
What is Cross-Docking?
Cross-docking is when product moves from a container into a trailer or from a trailer into a container at a cross-dock facility. That container or trailer is then what goes to the customer or consignee. The benefit of utilizing a cross dock is that a shipping container can only be out of a port for so long before daily charges begin to accrue from the shipping line. So if you have an import that arrives and is destined for somewhere else, there might be no way to get the container directly from the port to its destination and then back to the port after it has been unloaded without incurring costly per diem charges.
In this instance, goods are cross-docked near the port from the shipping container to a trailer. The shipping container goes back to the port empty to avoid incurring per diem charges, and the trailer is taken to its destination.
Cross-docking vs. Warehousing
Cross-docking is not the same thing as warehousing. Warehousing means storage, whereas cross-docking is a process designed to make moving freight more efficient.
With cross-docking, products are unloaded, sorted, and reloaded onto an outbound truck, moving the freight “across” from being an inbound product to an outbound product. As a result, cross-docking can accelerate handling time, particularly in populated areas where there are often more locations for cross-docking.
Types of Cross-docking
There are three main types of cross-docking:
- Continuous Cross-docking: This is the fastest and most efficient, where products are immediately transferred from inbound trucks to outbound trucks.
- Consolidation Arrangements: These arrangements consolidate several smaller shipments, such as in the less-than-truckload or LTL shipping process, and consolidate them into one larger truck.
- Deconsolidation Arrangements: The opposite of consolidation, this involves breaking down a large shipment into several smaller loads, making it easier to quickly transport the goods to customers.
Leveraging cross-docking services can improve overall logistics efficiency, reduce storage needs, and potentially enhance customer satisfaction through faster delivery times
When Should I Use Cross-docking?
The goal with utilizing cross-docking is to streamline your shipping operations. If cross-docking can be used to increase productivity and lower your customers’ costs, it may be a great solution for your operations. There are also certain types of imported products that may be particularly well-suited to cross-docking:
- Goods that don’t require additional manufacturing
- Raw materials
- Non-perishable food or drinks
- Variable, flat-rate or Freight All Kinds (FAK) items
If your items are ready to deliver directly to a customer, they may be ideal for cross-docking. If you’re unsure whether or not your freight is suited for cross-docking, talk with your trusted shipping partner to discuss your best options.
Benefits of Cross-docking
Trucking and shipping companies choose cross-docking when they can as it can lower transportation costs. Trucks can deliver multiple loads with a single pickup, streamlining the delivery process.
Cross-docking also cuts out the expense of warehouse storage. Since you’re picking up a shipment that’s ready to transport, no holding is necessary.
Third, there is less risk of the product getting damaged or stolen as it won’t be sitting in a warehouse or parking lot. Eliminating the storage step helps companies keep better continuous control and monitoring of their shipments.
Finding a Reputable Cross-docking Company
Heavy Weight Transport has more than 40 years in the industry. The integrity of our reputation speaks for itself. We are proud to serve as a trusted transportation provider to thousands of businesses of every size and type, specializing in moving heavy amounts safely, securely, and cost-effectively.
We promise to manage every shipment with the highest level of excellence and customer service, always ensuring your freight gets delivered where you want, on time, and in proper condition.
We maintain oursfleet of shipping trucks and trailers capable of hauling loads up to 64,000 pounds. With our network of carriers and providers, we provide services across the United States, with office locations at ports from coast to coast.
