Skip to main content

How to Delete a Container

Dockflow allows you to remove containers from tradeflows with precise control over whether they can be automatically re-added. This guide explains the deletion process and helps you choose the right option for your needs.

Overview​

Container deletion enables you to:

  • Remove incorrect containers - Delete containers added by mistake
  • Clean up duplicates - Remove duplicate container entries
  • Manage test data - Delete containers created during testing
  • Control re-addition - Prevent or allow automatic re-adding from data sources
Deletion vs. Deactivation

Deleting a container removes it from the tradeflow entirely. If you want to keep the container for reference but stop tracking it, consider deactivating the entire tradeflow instead. See Automatic Deactivation Policies for details.

When to Delete Containers​

Common Deletion Scenarios​

Remove incorrect containers:

  • Wrong container number entered manually
  • Container added to wrong tradeflow
  • Typo in container number
  • Container belongs to different shipment

Eliminate duplicates:

  • Same container appears multiple times
  • Container added via multiple data sources
  • System error created duplicate entries

Clean up test data:

  • Containers created during training
  • Test shipments no longer needed
  • Sample data from demos

Manage cancelled shipments:

  • Container removed from shipment before departure
  • Booking cancelled or changed
  • Container substituted with different unit

Deletion Process​

Step 1: Navigate to the Container​

  1. Log in to your Dockflow account
  2. Navigate to the Dashboard or Tradeflows section
  3. Open the tradeflow containing the container
  4. Go to the Containers section or tab
  5. Locate the container you want to delete
Finding Containers

You can also access containers directly from the Containers dashboard view if you know the container number. Use the search function to quickly find specific containers.

Step 2: Initiate Deletion​

  1. Find the Delete Container button next to the container
    • May appear as a trash icon
    • Could be in an actions menu (three dots)
    • Location varies slightly by interface section
  2. Click the Delete Container button
  3. A confirmation dialog will appear

Step 3: Understand the Confirmation Dialog​

The deletion confirmation dialog presents a critical option:

"Prevent automatic re-addition of this container?"

This option defaults to Yes (checked).

What This Option Means​

Yes (checked) - Prevent re-addition:

  • Container is permanently removed from this tradeflow
  • System will NOT automatically re-add it, even if:
    • Container appears in future bill of lading data
    • Booking data is refreshed and includes this container
    • Carrier data updates reference this container
  • You can still manually add the container again if needed

No (unchecked) - Allow re-addition:

  • Container is temporarily removed
  • System MAY automatically re-add it during the next data retrieval cycle if:
    • Container exists in associated bill of lading records
    • Booking data references this container
    • Carrier updates include this container
  • Useful for temporary removal or testing
Default Behavior

The option defaults to "Yes" (prevent re-addition) for good reason. In most cases, if you're deleting a container, you want it to stay deleted. Only uncheck this option if you have a specific reason to allow re-addition.

Step 4: Choose the Appropriate Option​

Choose "Yes" (Prevent Re-Addition) When:​

Permanent removal needed:

Example: Container ABCD1234567 was entered by mistake.
Should be ABCD7654321 instead.
→ Delete with prevention to avoid wrong container coming back.

Container doesn't belong to this shipment:

Example: Container appears due to data error at carrier.
Not actually part of your shipment.
→ Delete with prevention to keep it out of this tradeflow.

Duplicate elimination:

Example: Container appears twice due to system glitch.
Delete one instance with prevention.

Different container used:

Example: Original booking showed ABCD1234567,
but actual shipment used EFGH9876543.
→ Delete ABCD with prevention, keep only EFGH.

Choose "No" (Allow Re-Addition) When:​

Temporary testing:

Example: Testing how tradeflow looks without certain containers.
Plan to restore containers later.
→ Delete without prevention, let system re-add.

Data refresh needed:

Example: Container data seems corrupted.
Want to remove and let system fetch fresh data.
→ Delete without prevention to allow clean re-import.

Uncertain about decision:

Example: Not sure if container should be removed permanently.
→ Delete without prevention to keep option of automatic restoration.
Recommended Default

Keep the default "Yes" (prevent re-addition) checked unless you have a specific reason to allow re-addition. This ensures intentional deletions stay deleted and don't unexpectedly reappear.

Step 5: Confirm Deletion​

  1. Make your choice:
    • Leave checkbox checked to prevent re-addition (recommended)
    • Uncheck to allow potential re-addition
  2. Click Confirm or Delete button
  3. Container is immediately removed from the tradeflow
Immediate Effect

Container deletion takes effect immediately. The container will disappear from the tradeflow's container list and all related views.

After Deletion​

What Happens Immediately​

Container removed from:

  • Tradeflow container list
  • Dashboard views filtered to this tradeflow
  • Container count for the shipment
  • Any container-specific automation triggers
  • Scheduled reports (future reports won't include it)

Data preserved:

  • Historical references in activity logs
  • Audit trail of deletion action
  • Associated tradeflow remains intact
  • Other containers in the tradeflow unaffected

Prevention Status (If Enabled)​

When you delete with "Prevent re-addition" enabled:

System maintains a blocklist:

  • Container number is marked as "do not re-add" for this specific tradeflow
  • Data updates that reference this container are ignored for this tradeflow
  • Other tradeflows can still add this container (prevention is tradeflow-specific)

Future data retrieval:

  • If carrier data includes the deleted container, it's not re-added
  • Bill of lading updates won't restore the container
  • Manual addition is still possible if needed

Re-Addition Scenarios (If Prevention Disabled)​

If you deleted without prevention:

Next data sync:

  • System checks bill of lading and booking data
  • If container is referenced, it may be re-added automatically
  • Timing varies: typically within 4-8 hours, up to 24 hours

What gets restored:

  • Container number
  • Basic container details (size, type)
  • Current tracking status

What's NOT restored:

  • Manual notes or comments you added
  • Custom flags specific to that container instance
  • Previous deletion history

Managing Prevention Settings​

Changing Prevention After Deletion​

If you deleted with prevention but want to allow re-addition:

  1. Navigate to tradeflow settings
  2. Look for "Container Management" or "Blocked Containers"
  3. Find the deleted container in the prevention list
  4. Remove from prevention list
  5. Container can now be re-added automatically or manually
Interface Variations

Exact location of prevention management varies by Dockflow version. If you can't find it, contact support for assistance.

Manually Re-Adding Prevented Containers​

Even with prevention enabled, you can manually re-add a container:

  1. Navigate to the tradeflow
  2. Go to Containers section
  3. Click Add Container
  4. Enter the container number (even if previously deleted with prevention)
  5. Add manually

Manual additions bypass prevention settings.

Best Practices​

Before Deleting​

  1. Verify the container number - Ensure you're deleting the right container
  2. Check for dependencies - Review if any automations or reports specifically reference this container
  3. Document the reason - Add a note to the tradeflow explaining why container was removed
  4. Screenshot if needed - Capture current state before deletion for reference

Choosing Prevention Option​

  1. Default to "Yes" - Prevent re-addition in most cases
  2. Document exceptions - Note why you're allowing re-addition if you choose "No"
  3. Consider data sources - If carrier data is reliable, prevention is usually appropriate
  4. Think long-term - Will you want this container to possibly come back?

After Deletion​

  1. Verify removal - Confirm container no longer appears in tradeflow
  2. Monitor next sync - If prevention disabled, check if container reappears
  3. Update related systems - Inform integrated systems of container removal if applicable
  4. Maintain audit trail - Keep record of deletions for reference

Troubleshooting​

Container Reappeared After Deletion​

If a deleted container reappears:

Cause: You deleted without prevention, and the container is in carrier/B/L data.

Solution:

  1. Delete the container again
  2. This time, check "Prevent automatic re-addition"
  3. Confirm deletion
  4. Container should stay deleted

Can't Find Delete Button​

If you don't see the delete option:

Possible causes:

  • Insufficient permissions (need admin or edit access)
  • Container is required by system (rare)
  • Interface doesn't show delete option for this container type

Solutions:

  1. Check your user permissions with admin
  2. Try from different interface section (tradeflow details vs. containers view)
  3. Contact support if delete option is genuinely missing

Deleted Wrong Container​

If you accidentally deleted the wrong container:

If you prevented re-addition:

  1. Manually add the container back
  2. Navigate to Containers section
  3. Click "Add Container"
  4. Enter container number
  5. Add details

If you allowed re-addition:

  1. Wait for next data sync (4-24 hours)
  2. Container may automatically reappear
  3. Or manually add it back immediately (see above)

Want to Undo Prevention​

If you need to remove a container from the prevention list:

  1. Contact support with:
    • Tradeflow ID or B/L number
    • Container number
    • Request to remove from prevention list
  2. Support will remove prevention block
  3. Container can then be re-added (automatically or manually)

Frequently Asked Questions​

Q: Can I delete multiple containers at once? A: Yes, use the bulk actions feature. Select multiple containers, then choose "Delete" from the bulk actions menu. Prevention option applies to all selected containers.

Q: Will deleting a container delete the entire tradeflow? A: No, deleting a container only removes that container. The tradeflow and any other containers remain intact. To delete the entire tradeflow, use the tradeflow delete function.

Q: Can partners see that I deleted a container? A: Partners won't receive a notification, but they'll notice the container is no longer in the shared tradeflow. Consider communicating significant changes to partners.

Q: Does deletion affect billing or historical reports? A: Deletion removes the container going forward but doesn't retroactively change historical reports or billing records that included the container.

Q: What happens to flags on deleted containers? A: Flags are removed along with the container. If the container is re-added (manually or automatically), flags must be re-applied.

Q: Can I recover a deleted container? A: Deleted containers can be manually re-added if you have the container number. If you allowed re-addition, the container may automatically reappear during the next data sync.

Q: Is there a deletion history or audit log? A: Yes, Dockflow maintains an audit log of container deletions, including who deleted it and when. Admins can access this via the activity log.

Q: Will deleting a container affect CO2 calculations? A: Yes, CO2 emissions are recalculated based on remaining containers. Historical emissions data may be preserved depending on when the calculation was performed.

Support​

Questions about deleting containers?