Conditions

When deciding to purchase a shipping container, it’s essential to understand the differences between container conditions and grades. This knowledge will help you select the container that best fits your needs.

Containers generally fall into three main conditions: Used, One Trip, and Refurbished. Each of these conditions is further divided into various grades, which reflect the container’s overall condition and structural integrity. Keep in mind that both the condition and grade will influence the container’s price.

Shipping Container Conditions

Used

Our most popular option, used general purpose containers have typically been in heavy-duty shipping service for 5 to 15 years before being retired. These containers often retain their original paint and shipping line markings and may display signs of wear and tear, such as surface rust, dents, and scratches.

While used shipping containers might not have the best appearance inside and out, their structural integrity can still be reliable. Depending on their grade, they may remain suitable for various uses, including cargo transportation, storage solutions, and more.

New One Trip

New One Trip shipping containers may have minor dents, dings, and scrapes from their initial ocean journey. These containers are manufactured in Asia and transported to our depots worldwide. To keep shipping costs down and offer competitive prices, we load these new containers with cargo for a single trip. This practice helps offset repositioning expenses and allows us to pass the savings on to our customers.

Refurbished shipping containers are used Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers that have been given a new lease on life through various levels of refurbishment. Each level extends the container’s lifespan and enhances its condition:

Typical Refurbishment – The container’s exterior is prepped and repainted. This process includes wire wheeling to remove loose rust, spot priming exposed metal, and applying a fresh coat of paint on the exterior and roof. Locking rods, gaskets, and decals are typically painted over during this process.
Complete Refurbishment – In addition to the exterior repainting included in Typical Refurbishment, the interior of the container is also painted. This provides a refreshed look both inside and out.
Factory Refurbishment – This comprehensive refurbishment involves a complete overhaul of the container. It includes new interior and exterior paint, replacement of gaskets, and updated container markings, ensuring the container is in like-new condition.

Used shipping containers are inspected and graded according to age, structural soundness, exterior and interior condition, number of miles traveled, damage and repair history, as well as the weather conditions that it was stored and shipped. When looking for a container, you’ll find the following grades.

Wind and Water Tight

Our most popular grade, Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers are used shipping containers guaranteed to be leak-proof. While these containers are designed to be free from leaks, they may exhibit original paint, surface rust, dents, and abrasions from their previous use in heavy-duty shipping services. As a result, their external appearance may not be aesthetically pleasing.

Cargo Worthy (CW)

Cargo Worthy (CW) shipping containers have been thoroughly inspected and certified as structurally sound and safe for international transport by sea, rail, and road. Externally, these containers may still display their original paint (color may vary), old shipping markings, surface rust, abrasions, and dents. For export purposes, the container must have a valid container survey and a current CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) inspection sticker.

IICL (IICL-6)

An IICL container meets the rigorous inspection standards set by the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) and is certified as suitable for export. These containers are in excellent condition and will have a higher book value compared to other grades. Their external appearance is generally much better than that of a Wind and Water Tight (WWT) container.

AS IS

An As Is container is a shipping container that has been inspected and found to be damaged so severely that it will cost too much to repair to make it Wind and Watertight.

There will be external and internal issues with the container such as holes, broken flooring, and other structural issues. Generally, we do not recommend that customers buy an As Is container unless it will be used for some purpose where structural soundness and exterior are not required.