A Guide to Cross Docking

What is Cross-Docking?

Cross-docking supports just-in-time delivery, offering a smarter, leaner alternative to traditional warehousing. With cross-docking inbound shipments are unloaded, sorted, and transferred directly to outbound transportation – with little to no storage in between.

When to Use Cross-Docking

Whether you’re moving goods from overseas manufacturers to regional distribution centers, retailers, or end customers, cross-docking can give your operation a major efficiency boost.  Here are three situations where cross docking is especially valuable:

Speed Up High-Volume Imports

For companies importing full container loads (FCL), cross-docking is the fastest way to move inventory through the supply chain. Instead of sitting in storage, shipments go directly from the port to regional destinations or distribution hubs—reducing dwell time and accelerating delivery.

Deconsolidate Shipments for Targeted Delivery

FCL shipments often need to be broken down into smaller orders based on destination, customer, or product type. Cross-docking allows for quick, efficient deconsolidation, avoiding unnecessary storage costs and enabling faster delivery to multiple endpoints.

Consolidate for Regional Distribution

Companies receiving products from various international suppliers, cross-docking can be used to consolidate these into region-specific shipments. This reduces transportation costs, increases truckload utilization, and improves last-mile efficiency.