Devanning is the unloading of an ocean container — whether floor-loaded by hand or unloaded by pallet. When it happens on-site at a port-adjacent 3PL, a 40-foot box becomes counted, inspected, shelf-ready inventory without a second stop.
Floor-loaded vs. palletized
Many import containers are floor-loaded — cartons stacked loose to maximize space. Devanning these by hand is labor-intensive but lets us palletize, count, and inspect as we go. Palletized containers unload faster with a forklift.
Inspection and counts happen here
Devanning is your first chance to catch damage, shortages, or mislabeled goods. A good 3PL inspects and reconciles counts against your packing list during unloading, so discrepancies are documented immediately — not discovered weeks later.
Why on-site devanning saves time
Devanning at the same Commerce, CA facility that stores your inventory removes a handoff. The container is emptied, the freight is put away or cross-docked, and the empty box returns to the port — all in one coordinated move.
