Container grades tell you how much life a box has left and how it will look. They are industry terms, judged at the depot, not a government rating. Here's what each one means in practice.
New / one-trip
A one-trip container was manufactured, loaded with cargo for a single ocean voyage, unloaded, and sold. It has not spent years in service.
Expect
- Clean, even paint and straight panels
- Doors that swing and seal easily
- A clean, dry floor
- Possibly a few small scuffs or scrapes from that one trip
Don't expect
- It is not showroom perfect: handling marks happen
- Exact paint color depends on what the depot has
Best for: Visible spots near the house, conversions and workshops, and anyone who wants the longest life.
Cargo-worthy (used)
Cargo-worthy (CW) means the container was inspected and judged structurally sound to carry cargo: frame, corner posts, floor and doors in good working order, plus wind and watertight.
Expect
- Faded or patchy paint
- Surface rust spots and dents
- Patches and repairs are normal
- A solid floor and working doors
Don't expect
- It is not cosmetically pretty
- It does not automatically come with shipping paperwork: if you need a survey certificate to ship it, ask before you buy
Best for: Storage that needs to be solid and secure, and anyone who might ship or move it later.
Wind and watertight (used)
Wind and watertight (WWT) means that when inspected, the doors closed and sealed and no daylight came through the roof, walls or floor. It is retired from shipping service.
Expect
- Heavy cosmetic wear: rust streaks, dents, mismatched paint
- Doors that work, though they may be stiff
- A floor that may be stained or patched
- Keeps rain out when inspected
Don't expect
- Not certified for shipping
- Not chosen for looks: some are rougher than others
- Some depots sell by grade only and do not offer a specific unit or photos
Best for: Farm, ranch and jobsite storage where looks do not matter and price does.
How to check a used container on delivery day
- Walk around it. Dents and surface rust are normal on used grades. Look for holes or rust that goes right through the steel.
- Work the doors. They should open, close and latch. Stiff is common on used boxes; a little lubricant on the hinges and lock rods helps.
- Do the daylight test. Step inside, close the doors behind you and look for light coming through the roof, walls or floor. No daylight means no obvious leaks.
- Check the floor. Stains are normal. Soft spots or broken boards are not.
- Tell us right away if something doesn't match what you were quoted. We take it up with the depot.
