Air Carrier Captain reported a strong toxic odor emanating from a container prior to gate departure. Since no Hazmat was listed on the Load Manifest the Captain requested the container be removed. After discussing with the Load Supervisor the container was unloaded and aircraft departed safely.

Narrative

Electronic Load Manifest versions 1; 2; and 3 stated NO Dangerous Goods Form. Per AOM procedure; after closing the L1 door and walking the deck; the Relief Pilot noted a strong chemical-like smell coming from one of the containers near position L18. I confirmed that I too smelled something toxic; such as acetone; and requested the Load Supervisor remove and inspect the container. Instead of removing the container; loaders opened it inside the airplane (further exposing ramp personnel and crew to the noxious fumes). With the main cargo door open and the front of the container open; the noxious smell was now almost overpowering (While wearing my N95 mask; I could still smell the fumes and started to experience a physiological responses - my eyes started to tear). The Ramp Supervisor showed me the boxes in the front of the container and said they were ink cartridges. He said since the front row looked okay; the container should stay onboard. Some of the boxes in front were deformed; and we were unable to see the boxes in the back of the container to see if any had broken. I declined to take the container on my airplane without identifying the cause of the fumes. All operating crew members could smell the strong odor. The Mechanic concurred he could smell it too. As the last line of defense - for safety of flight reasons; the strong presence of odor; the lack of willingness to comply with my request to remove the container and determine the cause of the fumes; the attempt to bully and intimidate me and my crew into taking this suspect container; I insisted; for a second time; on the removal of the container from the airplane. I also requested with Operations; the Load Supervisor; the Mechanic and the Assistant Chief Pilot that the container needed to be unloaded to find the cause before further transport on an aircraft (I don't know if that occurred). (I would not drive my car with a smell that strong; much less consider taking an airplane across the ocean for 9 hours with limited divert options).Once the container was removed; the odor completely dissipated; and we departed soon after. The rest of the flight was fume free and uneventful. This delay could have been decreased exponentially had the Load Supervisor immediately complied with my request to remove the suspect container and inspect it outside the airplane after we departed. Additionally; no safety (hazmat/dangerous goods) procedures were followed once I informed the ground personnel of noxious fumes and a strong odor coming from a container. For further information; please refer to the HAZMAT CREW PROCEDURES; and one will see that that a strong odor is an indicator of DG incident. The most likely indications of a DG incident in flight would be the detection of a strong odor; or by the illumination of the cargo fire/smoke warning.The Captain (or B747 qualified designee) walks down the side of the main deck to check for unusual/suspicious packages; smoke; fumes; heat or obvious damage; and that the load is secure. First; when a crew member states there are noxious fumes coming from a container and need it removed; this request should be complied with immediately for the safety of all concerned. Opening a container inside the airplane that reeks of chemicals is not the proper protocol. Second; develop some type of checklist for when a crewmember identifies a suspect container. Third; do not try to bully and intimidate a Captain to take an item that is unsafe. Respect her authority as the Captain of the airplane. Fourth; regardless of what item are in the container (ink cartridges or even 'bamboo cartridges') if the container reeks of toxic fumes; it should be removed.