Cross-docking is the practice of unloading goods from inbound delivery vehicles and loading them directly onto outbound vehicles. By eliminating or minimizing warehouse storage costs, space requirements and inventory handling, cross-docking can streamline supply chains and help them move goods to market faster and more efficiently.
Cross-docking usually takes place in a dedicated docking terminal in a warehouse, where inbound goods are first received at a dock and sorted according to their final destinations. They are then moved to the other side of the dock via forklift, conveyor belt or other equipment and loaded on outbound vehicles.
Cross-docking works best with products that need to be transported quickly, such as food, that have already been sorted and labeled for customers, do not need quality inspections or have steady demand.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 16
- Cross-docking
LO 1, AC 1.1

Tote box is the reusable storage box. These can be open or have lids or flaps to close them and come in a large variety of sizes and weight loadings.
A tote is ideal for holding and hauling items such as: tools, fasteners, bark dust, dry cement, cords, wires, smaller boxes,...
Pallets are the platform structures designed to support a load and be lifted using the forks (typically seen on forklift trucks and other equipment). These are in a variety of standard sizes and can be made of many materials including plastics, resin, board or timber. Pallets are not containers, but support platforms.

Bar racks are designed to store bars and pipes
Stock cages are available in many sizes and can hold single items or groups of items Reference: CIPS study guide page 18 LO 1, AC 1.1