Devanning, Timings And Costs: A Practical Guide For Southampton-Bound Imports
If you are planning arrivals into Southampton or Portsmouth, the difference between a smooth devanning and a costly delay usually comes down to preparation. This guide outlines the CCW workflow step by step, with realistic timing ranges, clear cost drivers, and simple actions you can take before the vessel docks to reduce demurrage and protect your cargo.
What is devanning, and what is it called elsewhere?
Devanning is the process of unloading a shipping container at a warehouse or distribution centre. In some regions, it is also called unpacking, unstuffing or stripping.
The opposite of devanning is vanning, which is the loading and sealing of a container for export or onward movement.
Pre-arrival planning that prevents delays
For Southampton and Portsmouth flows, our control room begins work before the ship arrives:
VBS and PreGate alignment: we match the terminal Vehicle Booking System slot and any DP World Southampton PreGate step with the time we can receive, avoiding idle trucks and missed windows.
Documentation check: we confirm the bill of lading details, customs status, delivery instructions, packing list and any special handling notes. If you need temporary storage, we book space in our secure facility in advance.
Risk review: we confirm the weight distribution, any ADR flags, temperature or fragility requirements, and whether the load is palletised or floor-loaded.
Communication: you receive a clear plan for collection, devanning, and either storage or onward distribution, so transport and warehousing are synced.
Proactive scheduling removes friction, lowers demurrage risk and ensures labour and equipment are ready when the container lands.
Safe arrival and site assessment
On arrival at CCW, we complete a short safety briefing and assess the box at the door:
Seal verification and photos
Door opening checks to control load shift risk
Initial visual inspection for water ingress or damage
Equipment plan, matching the packing style to the right method
Security is continuous. We operate a controlled yard with CCTV, sign-in procedures and photographed QC so there is a visible chain of custody.
Unloading methods: FLT vs handball
The method follows the packing:
Palletised cargo: unloaded by counterbalance forklift truck, with protective fork covers where needed.
Floor-loaded cartons: handballed by trained teams, with transfer to pallets at the bay.
Mixed loads: we sequence the work to clear a safe zone, then alternate between FLT lifts and manual handling to maintain flow.
Where cartons require supports, dunnage, or collars, we add them during pallet build to reduce damage later.
QC, traceability and photographic evidence
Quality control happens at the point of touch:
Count verification against the packing list
Batch, lot or serial capture using SAP handheld scanners
Photos of exceptions, damages, overages or shortages
Discrepancy report issued promptly so you can engage suppliers or insurers without delay
If you specify a sample or 100 per cent inspection, we build that into the plan with realistic time allowances.
Palletising, wrapping and load security
We palletise to UK 1200 x 1000 or Euro 1200 x 800 unless you request a custom footprint. Each pallet is squared, strapped or wrapped to your specification, then labelled for SAP intake. Wrapping standards vary by product; fragile and glossy packaging may benefit from corner protection and a lower film tension to prevent crush.
If you need pallets supplied, we offer new, reconditioned, and bespoke specifications and can advise on the best option based on weight, humidity, and journey profile.
How long does it take to devan a container?
Actual timing depends on SKU count, QC depth, carton weight, aisle access and whether rework is involved. As a planning guide:
20 ft palletised: 45 to 90 minutes
40 ft palletised: 90 to 150 minutes
20 ft floor loaded: 1.5 to 3 hours
40 ft floor loaded: 3 to 5 hours, sometimes longer for high SKU variety or fragile goods
Add time for extensive serial capture or 100 per cent inspection, and for complex pallet builds or special packaging. We give a time estimate during booking, then update you once the doors open, and we confirm the internal condition.
What is a devanning charge, and how much does it cost?
A devanning charge covers the labour, equipment, supervision and documentation used to unload and process your container. At CCW, pricing is itemised so you only pay for what you use. Typical line items include:
Devanning labour and equipment, based on container size and packing style
Supervision and documentation, including photographic QC and discrepancy reports
Pallets and wrapping, charged per unit according to your specification
Rework, such as relabelling, repack or build corrections
Storage, daily or weekly, if the goods remain on site
Because every load differs, we quote on a case-by-case basis, with clear assumptions for timing, QC depth, and materials. Share your packing list and any special instructions, and we will provide an accurate estimate that reflects how the work will actually run on the day.
How proactive scheduling reduces demurrage
Early VBS alignment, complete paperwork, and pre-booked storage or cross-dock slots keep the process moving. When we collect from the port on a scheduled slot and arrive with the right team and materials staged, containers are turned quickly, and trucks are released sooner, reducing quay rent risk and avoiding re-handling.
Supplier checklist for smoother UK devanning
Share this with your shipper to save time and reduce damage:
Use sturdy, moisture-resistant cartons with clear outer labels; apply orientation, fragility and lot codes on two sides
Confirm pallet configuration or floor load plan, including carton count per layer and total cartons
Provide a clean packing list with SKU, description, carton count and weights; include batch or serial ranges if applicable
Avoid pallet overhang; use corner boards and strapping for stability; add internal dunnage for fragile items
Mark any mixed pallets clearly; do not mix SKUs within a single carton
Place heavy items low and towards the container headboard; distribute weight evenly to avoid shift
Photograph the load before door closure, record the seal number and include it in documentation
These simple steps speed up QC and reduce rework.
Storage or onward transport
Once devanned and scanned, we can move straight to storage or load outbound vehicles to your schedule. If you need short-term capacity near the docks, our secure site between Southampton and Portsmouth keeps legs short and flexible. When outbound haulage is required, our tracked fleet provides live ETAs and coordinated dispatch.
If you are planning flows through Southampton or Portsmouth and want local capacity and a joined-up plan from port to pallet, our team can help. Explore container devanning Southampton and, if you need overflow space, container storage Southampton. For timed collections and deliveries around the port pair, speak to our planners who coordinate with transport companies in Portsmouth when multi-leg routings are needed.
Summary
Devanning works best when planning, safety and documentation come first. Align the VBS slot, share a complete packing list, and set clear instructions for QC and pallet build. Expect 45 to 150 minutes for palletised boxes and 1.5 to 5 hours for floor loads, with time added for serial capture or rework. A transparent devanning charge covers labour, equipment, supervision and documentation, with separate, itemised lines for pallets, wrapping, rework and storage. With secure facilities and proactive scheduling, CCW helps importers and forwarders move from vessel arrival to inventory-ready stock quickly and without surprises.
About us
Conveniently located between the busy ports of Southampton and Portsmouth on the UK’s south coast, CCW Services offers comprehensive Third-Party Logistics services including haulage, warehousing, devanning, rework and pallet supply. If your business expects the very best in seamless, tailored logistics solutions, get in touch to find out more about partnering with us.
