A compacting device and method is provided for compacting bulk material in an open package, the compacting device including a poker compactor accommodated on a carrier device. The poker compactor includes a gas-permeable outer wall connected with a suction duct. The poker compactor is suitable to be inserted into an open package for the poker compactor to come into contact with the bulk material to degas and compact the bulk material in the open package. The poker compactor has a longitudinal axis around which it is pivotally accommodated.