Shipping Container Conditions, Grades & Selection Options
When purchasing a shipping container, it’s essential to understand the different conditions and grades to ensure you select the right one for your needs. The condition and grade of a container directly influence its price, performance, and longevity.
At ContainerBids, we offer a variety of container conditions to choose from, including Used, One Trip, and Refurbished. Each of these conditions comes with its own set of characteristics that determine the overall quality and structural integrity of the container.
Shipping Container Conditions
Used Containers
Used containers are our most popular option. These general-purpose containers have been in service for 5 to 15 years and are typically “retired” after their shipping journey.
Exterior: They often retain their original paint and shipping line markings, but will show visible signs of wear such as surface rust, dents, and scratches.
Suitability: While they may not look pristine, used containers (depending on their grade) remain structurally sound. They are perfect for storage solutions, transport, or other uses.
New One Trip Containers
New One Trip containers are manufactured overseas and then shipped to various depots around the world. They typically have minor cosmetic imperfections like small dents or scratches from their initial journey.
Cost Efficiency: To reduce shipping costs, these containers are loaded with cargo once, minimizing repositioning fees and offering savings for our customers.
Condition: While they’re technically “new,” the minor signs of use are from the journey, not from wear and tear.
Refurbished Containers
Refurbished containers are older, used Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers that have been carefully restored to extend their lifespan.
We offer three levels of refurbishment:
Typical Refurbishment: The container is prepped (removing rust and priming exposed metal) and repainted, including the exterior and roof.
Complete Refurbishment: This level also includes painting the interior, offering a more polished result.
Factory Refurbishment: A full overhaul with both interior and exterior painting, new gaskets, and new markings to make the container like new.
Shipping Container Grades
Containers are further graded based on their condition, functionality, and suitability for various uses.
Wind and Water Tight (WWT)
This is our most popular grade. WWT containers are fully sealed, ensuring they do not leak.
Appearance: Expect visible wear like original paint, surface rust, dents, and abrasions from heavy-duty shipping.
Suitability: While they might look rough on the outside, they are reliable for storage or other purposes that don’t require pristine exterior appearance.
Cargo Worthy (CW)
Cargo Worthy containers are structurally sound and safe for international transport.
External Condition: They may show signs of wear like original paint, rust, abrasions, and old shipping markings.
Suitability: For export, a container must pass a survey and have a valid CSC inspection sticker.
IICL (IICL-6)
IICL-certified containers meet the rigorous standards of the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) and are deemed fit for export.
Condition: These containers are in excellent condition and have a much better external appearance compared to WWT containers.
Value: IICL containers typically have a higher book value due to their superior condition.
As Is
An “As Is” container has been inspected and found to have severe damage that makes repairs too costly for it to be Wind and Water Tight.
Condition: You will find issues like holes, broken flooring, and other structural problems.
Suitability: “As Is” containers are typically not recommended for customers needing a structurally sound container, unless used for non-critical purposes where aesthetics or structural integrity are less important.
