From 2 containers to about 70: socks to every Costco depot in Canada
In May 2026 we unloaded two containers of socks bound for Costco Canada. By the end of the summer the program was about 70 containers and 20 air shipments, and the customer needed it started within days. We moved every carton onto the block pallets Costco accepts, labelled them and delivered them on booked appointments to Langley, Airdrie, Vaughan and Varennes.
Case study / October 2026
- Ocean containers via the Port of Vancouver
- ~70Ocean containers via the Port of Vancouver
- Air shipments
- ~20Air shipments
- Costco depots, BC to Quebec
- 4Costco depots, BC to Quebec
- Trucks out on the busiest day
- 5Trucks out on the busiest day
How a two-container job became 70
The socks are made for Costco Canada and come in through the Port of Vancouver. In May 2026 the customer sent us two containers to unload and hold for Costco, and we turned them around quickly.
At the end of June the customer came back with a bigger plan: 20 containers of Costco product, then up to 60, for depots across the country. Freight started landing in late July. By the time it was done we had handled about 70 containers and about 20 air shipments.
Taking it on at short notice
Costco's depots take freight on pooled 48 by 40 block pallets. These containers came in on white wood, so every pallet had to be rebuilt before it could ship.
When the customer called about the first big wave, it was two days out. We said yes, put weekend crews on the floor and booked depot appointments while the pallets were being built, so each load was ready for its slot.
How the work ran
- 1
Unload at our dock
The containers were unloaded at 3200 E Broadway in Vancouver, 14 minutes from the GCT Vanterm container terminal.
- 2
Rebuild every pallet
Cartons came off white wood and onto pooled block pallets. Air shipments were palletized the same way.
- 3
Label to spec
Each pallet got its Costco label before it left the dock.
- 4
Book and deliver
Appointments went in as loads were built. We delivered to all four depots, and on the busiest day five trucks went out.
How we plan a program like this
Short notice is fine. It runs smoother when we have these before the first container lands: a SKU list for each container, purchase orders and depot appointments, an agreed pallet spec, a daily pace our floor can hold, and signed rates and terms, storage and after-hours included.
We move freight like this load by load, so we always know where every pallet is.
We gave the first two containers the same attention as the 70 that came after. That small job is why the big one came to us. We still work together.
Questions about Costco programs
Can you start a Costco program on a few days' notice?
Yes. On this program the first big wave came with two days' notice. We put weekend crews on the floor to rebuild the pallets and booked depot appointments while they were being built, so each load was ready for its slot.
Can you handle air shipments as well as containers?
Yes. This program had about 20 air shipments on top of about 70 ocean containers. We palletized and labelled the air freight just like the container freight and delivered it to the depots on booked appointments.
Bringing in containers for Costco?
Tell us the container count, the arrival dates and the depots, even if the first container is days away. We'll price the unloading, the pallet work, storage and delivery as one job.