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.

Cross-docking may not be suitable for businesses that need to store products for a long period of time or for businesses that need to make last-minute changes to orders. The process is designed for quick turnaround times, and it can be difficult to change orders once they have been loaded onto the outgoing trucks.

Drop shipping minimizes upfront investment and overhead costs, which is ideal for businesses avoiding inventory management expenses. Cross docking streamlines logistics, reducing transportation and inventory holding costs. However, it requires an initial infrastructure investment.