Continuous cross-docking involves a continuous flow of products through a cross-dock facility, requiring little or no storage time. Products are unloaded from incoming trucks or other containers and immediately loaded onto outbound containers that take the products to their final destination.

Cross-Docking facilities charge handling fees for unloading goods from incoming shipments. These fees are based on the volume, weight, and complexity of the products being received. The efficiency of the unloading process and the equipment used can also impact handling fees.

What Is Cross-Docking? Essentially, cross-docking removes the “storage” link of the supply chain. Products are unloaded from a truck or railroad car, sorted, and directly reloaded onto outbound trucks or rail cars to continue their journey.

One of the downsides of cross-docking is the level of in-depth planning and effective coordination it necessitates. Since you can't rely on large quantities of excess storage for quick order fulfillment, you need to be careful and purposeful.