What Unloading and Sorting Involve

Unloading and sorting turn a full trailer into counted freight sitting in the right place. Staff pull the load off, check it against the paperwork and split it by item, order or destination before it moves on.

The steps look the same at most docks. What differs is how carefully each one happens.

Securing the Trailer First

Work starts before anyone enters the trailer. Federal rules require brakes set and wheel chocks in place when powered industrial trucks load or unload a trailer. The powered industrial truck standard also covers dockboards that bridge the gap between dock and trailer.

After that, staff open the doors, check the seal if there is one and look at the load. Shifted or crushed freight gets photographed before anything moves.

Unloading Palletized and Floor Loads

Palletized freight comes off by forklift or pallet jack. Each pallet goes to a staging area near the door.

Floor loaded freight takes longer. Workers pull cartons by hand and build pallets on the dock. Some docks use a conveyor for that work. Because of the extra labor, some receivers use lumper services for these loads.

Sorting on the Dock

Once freight is off, staff sort it. The rule for sorting depends on where it goes next.

• Item number for storage
• Purchase order for receiving checks
• Store or route for cross docking
• Hold area for damage or missing labels

Clear labels make unloading and sorting faster. When labels are missing or wrong, staff have to research each carton, and freight stacks up on the dock.

Counting During Unloading and Sorting

Counts usually happen while staff sort. Pallets get counted against the bill of lading. Cartons get counted against the purchase order or advance notice.

Any mismatch goes on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves. The guide on receiving counts covers count methods in more detail.

Where Problems Start

Most damage happens in the first minutes of unloading. A load that shifted in transit can fall when the doors open. Forklift tines can puncture cartons in a tight trailer.

So the inspection at the door matters. Photos of the load before unloading help show whether damage came from transit or from the dock. The article on freight handling damage lists the usual causes.

What Shippers Can Do for Unloading and Sorting

Shippers shape the dock’s day. Pallets built square and wrapped tight unload faster. Labels on two sides speed sorting. An accurate advance notice lets the dock plan its crew before the trailer arrives.