An apparatus for the packaging of one or more layers of rod-shaped articles inside a container , the apparatus comprising: - a conveyor for advancing a plurality of containers along a feeding path (K); - a hopper for containing an accumulation of articles; wherein, at least at one of its lower regions, the hopper is arranged with a plurality of vertical channels for subdividing the articles into side-by-side columns of a width substantially equal to an article; - a member for extracting a layer of articles from the bottom of the hopper ; - at least one gripping unit to pick up the layer of articles extracted from the hopper and insert it inside a container on the conveyor , wherein the gripping unit comprises: a housing module that provides a series of seats designed to receive, in each, a respective article; and a frame , which carries the housing module , and which is movable between a pick-up position, wherein each seat receives an article of the layer of articles extracted from the bottom of the hopper, and a release position wherein the articles are released inside a container advanced along the feeding path (K); said apparatus characterized in that said gripping unit comprises a series of sensors to detect the presence of articles in each seat of the series of seats of the housing module of the gripping unit . - a conveyor for advancing a plurality of containers along a feeding path (K); - a hopper for containing an accumulation of articles; wherein, at least at one of its lower regions, the hopper is arranged with a plurality of vertical channels for subdividing the articles into side-by-side columns of a width substantially equal to an article; - a member for extracting a layer of articles from the bottom of the hopper ; - at least one gripping unit to pick up the layer of articles extracted from the hopper and insert it inside a container on the conveyor , wherein the gripping unit comprises: a housing module that provides a series of seats designed to receive, in each, a respective article; and a frame , which carries the housing module , and which is movable between a pick-up position, wherein each seat receives an article of the layer of articles extracted from the bottom of the hopper, and a release position wherein the articles are released inside a container advanced along the feeding path (K); said apparatus characterized in that said gripping unit comprises a series of sensors to detect the presence of articles in each seat of the series of seats of the housing module of the gripping unit . wherein the gripping unit comprises: a housing module that provides a series of seats designed to receive, in each, a respective article; and a frame , which carries the housing module , and which is movable between a pick-up position, wherein each seat receives an article of the layer of articles extracted from the bottom of the hopper, and a release position wherein the articles are released inside a container advanced along the feeding path (K); said apparatus characterized in that said gripping unit comprises a series of sensors to detect the presence of articles in each seat of the series of seats of the housing module of the gripping unit . <EOS>