Conditions

Shipping Container Condition, Grades & Selection Option

When embarking on the journey to purchase a shipping container, it becomes paramount to grasp the nuances between container conditions and grades. This comprehension serves as a compass, guiding you towards selecting the container best suited to fulfill your unique needs.

Three main container conditions demand consideration: Used, One Trip, and Refurbished. Within each condition, various grades exist, offering valuable insights into the container’s overall state and structural soundness. It’s crucial to recognize that the condition and grade of the container wield direct influence over its price.

SHIPPING CONTAINER CONDITIONS

USED

Our flagship container, the used general-purpose containers, boasts a rich history of enduring heavy-duty shipping service spanning 5 to 15 years before retirement.

Typically retaining their original paint and shipping line markings, these used shipping containers exhibit visible signs of wear and tear, including surface rust, dents, and scratches.

While the outward and inward appearance of used shipping containers may not dazzle, their structural integrity remains robust, especially contingent upon their grade. Many still retain suitability for cargo transportation, storage solutions, and beyond.

NEW ONE TRIP

Fresh out of the manufacturing line, One Trip shipping containers may bear slight imperfections such as minor dents, dings, and scrapes, acquired through standard shipping and handling procedures during their extensive ocean voyages.

Originating from Asia, these new shipping containers are transported to our diverse depots worldwide. To optimize shipping expenses and offer competitive pricing to our clientele, we utilize these new containers for cargo loading only once. This strategic approach aids in mitigating re-positioning expenditures, allowing us to extend cost savings to our valued customers.

REFURBISHED

Refurbished containers represent a revitalized category of Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers that have undergone meticulous preparation, priming, and repainting processes. This refurbishment not only enhances the container’s appearance but also extends its operational lifespan. We provide three distinct levels of refurbishment for Used Wind and Water Tight containers:

Typical Refurbishment: This level involves the exterior repainting of the container. The process includes thorough prep work such as wire wheeling to eliminate loose rust, spot priming exposed metal areas, and painting the exterior, including the roof. Generally, this entails painting over locking rods, gaskets, and decals.
Complete Refurbishment: Similar to Typical Refurbishment, this level encompasses painting the container’s interior in addition to the exterior.
Factory Refurbishment: This comprehensive level involves a complete overhaul of the container. It includes the application of new interior and exterior paint, replacement of gaskets, and installation of new container markings.

When evaluating used shipping containers, they undergo inspection and grading based on various factors, including age, structural integrity, exterior and interior condition, mileage, repair history, and exposure to weather conditions during storage and shipping. These assessments result in different grades, which are crucial considerations when selecting a container.

WIND AND WATER TIGHT

Our most sought-after grade, Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers, are used shipping containers certified to be free from leaks.

While they are leak-proof, WWT containers typically exhibit signs of wear and tear, including original paint, surface rust, dents, and abrasions resulting from extensive shipping use. These containers may have an unattractive external appearance due to their history of heavy-duty service.

CARGO WORTHY (CW)

Cargo Worthy shipping containers have undergone thorough inspection and are certified as structurally sound and suitable for international transportation by sea, rail, and road.

Externally, these containers typically retain their original paint (although the color may vary), along with old shipping markings, surface rust, abrasions, and dents. For containers intended for export, they must undergo a container survey and possess a valid CSC inspection sticker.

IICL (IICL-6)

An IICL container meets the rigorous inspection standards established by the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) and is certified as suitable for export.

Due to their excellent condition, IICL containers typically command a higher book value compared to WWT containers. Externally, they exhibit a significantly better appearance than WWT containers.

AS IS

An “As Is” container refers to a shipping container that has undergone inspection and deemed to be damaged to such an extent that repairing it to achieve Wind and Watertight condition would be economically unfeasible.

These containers typically exhibit significant external and internal issues, such as holes, broken flooring, and structural damage. As such, we generally advise against purchasing an “As Is” container unless its intended use does not necessitate structural integrity or exterior appearance.