Unloading is process of removing goods from docked vehicle and staging in temporary storage area, which is called inbound staging. Vehicle unloading process directly affects dock turnaround time. Vehicle loading type determines unloading process. Following are two basic ways of vehicle loading.

• Pallet loaded vehicle – In palliated vehicles, goods are already loaded on pallets by supplier into vehicle. Unloading pallets requires lesser effort, thus provide faster dock turnaround time.
• Loose loaded vehicle – in loosed loaded vehicle, cartons are loosely loaded into vehicle. For unloading, first cartons are palliated, then pallets are transported to inbound staging area. For loose loaded vehicle dock turnaround time is higher, due additional palliation activity.

MHE – depending on physical characteristics of products, such as weight and dimensions, MHE is selected to unload.

• Hand Pallet truck – HPT is most commonly used MHE to unload for light and small products such as apparels.
• Battery operated pallet truck – BOPT is highly productive MHE for unloading, due to its higher speed of travel.
• Counterbalance truck – CBT is used for unloading of heavier and volumetric products, such as automobiles or industrial equipment.