How RTA Cabinets Are Packed in a Shipping Container to the USA
A good factory will work to max out how your container is packed. Unloading the shipping container of RTA cabinets when it arrives at your destination requires equipment, labor and time.
Equipment Needed to Unload the Container
Basically, you’ll need to get labor, as most shipping companies will not leave a container for you to unload in a day or two. Figure three hours with 4 to 5 people. Also, this number is for unloading only. Racking your container happens at different times.
You’ll need pallets to keep your unloading rolling. Also, both a pallet jack and/or forklift is beneficial to help move the cabinets. One to remove the loaded pallet from the truck and the second to move into position to keep unloading the next pallet. For extra convenience, a gravity expandable conveyor system speeds things up and helps reach the back of the container.
Time Needed to Unload the Container
Depending on your freight carrier, there is a time limit for unloading your container. As soon as you open the doors to the container, the clock starts. Normally you have three hours to unload before additional fees are assessed. Expect around $100/hour for any time you keep the driver beyond three hours
First Step to Unloading Shipping Container
Before anything can happen, you need to cut the bolt on the container, then open the doors. It’s not possible to back the container into your dock and then open the doors.
How to Unload Container of RTA Cabinets Without a Dock
The pictures and examples that we provide next assume that you have a dock. As you’ll see, the cartons getting unloaded are not RTA kitchen cabinets. However, you’ll get an idea of how to plan and what you need to think through to unload your container.
If you don’t have a dock, start making space by unloading from the container to a pallet on the floor. Once you have created space at the back of the container, you can load your pallet there and then move it to a staging area to be racked later.
How to Unload Container of RTA Cabinets With a Dock
Your container will be floor loaded, which means the cartons aren’t on pallets. They are stacked directly on the floor of the container. Therefore, each box will have to be removed by hand.
Begin unloading by removing boxes and placing them on pallets placed on the floor in front of the open container.
After you have removed enough cartons to create space inside the container, you can build a pallet in the container and remove it using a pallet jack or forklift.
A portable expandable gravity conveyor system makes it much easier to bring cartons from the back of a 40 ft container. You can rent one. Same with forklifts and pallet jacks if you’re not ready to commit to purchasing.
With the conveyor, you only need 1 or 2 guys in the container and 1 or 2 to take cartons off and load on a pallet.
How Much Warehouse Space Do You Need to Accommodate a Shipping Container of RTA Kitchen Cabinets to the USA?
With the right racking and reasonable ceiling height and space between the aisles, you can store three containers of ready-to-assemble cabinets in 4,500 – 5,000 square feet.
Two shipping containers of RTA cabinets can fit in 3,000-3,500 square feet, but it is tight.
Ten feet minimum ceiling height is required.
Also, you’ll need to leave space for an assembly and staging area since you are probably assembling RTA cabinets.
The photos below show the racking layout of actual RTA kitchen cabinets in a warehouse after the container has been unloaded.
Here’s an example of a warehouse racking layout, just to give you an idea of space allocation.
There are a number of factors that can’t be accounted for when figuring out your warehouse racking layout , like multiple wall cabinet heights or colors that demand more space to organize efficiently. We can discuss this specifically when you place an order.
