Shipping certain products that have been fumigated, or which create gases over time (For example glue which was packed when still wet), may cause gases to accumulate in a container, which poses dangers to whomever needs to unload said container. Degassing involves opening the container to allow excess gases to be ventilated out, under supervision of a certified expert, or 'gas doctor'. Another option is to place special doors over the exterior of the container, attached to a vacume of sorts, to suck the gases out that way.
In a conditioned environment at the terminal, methyl bromide is used for fumigating, or gassing, the containers for export purposes. Moths, beetles, cockroaches, mites and eels are every shipper’s worst nightmare. Without countermeasures, container loads can fall victim to these unwelcome guests. In addition, many countries ban the imports of foreign life forms that constitute a threat to their domestic ecosystems. When opening the container at import side a degassing will be needed.