Shipping container grades explained — new, cargo-worthy and as-is

New / single-trip

Containers are not manufactured in Australia. Everything described as new here is a unit built overseas that has carried one load on the voyage out — which is why the honest term is single-trip. It arrives sealed, with an unmarked marine-ply floor and door seals that have never hardened, usually with a colour choice.

What it is not is showroom-perfect. A single-trip unit will normally carry a few scuffs from being handled at both ends of that voyage. Any seller promising a flawless finish is setting up a disappointing delivery day.

What it commits us to: sealed, unpatched steel, clean floor, doors that shut and seal properly.

Cargo-worthy

A used unit still certified fit to carry freight at sea. The frame and corner castings are sound, the doors operate, the floor is intact, and every cargo-worthy unit is checked wind and watertight before it leaves the depot.

It will look its age. Surface rust, patch repairs, repainted panels, dents and another company's markings are all normal at this grade and none of them affect whether it keeps rain out. Cosmetic condition varies a lot between units, which is exactly why photos of the actual unit are worth asking for — we send them on request, before delivery.

What it commits us to: structurally sound and checked wind and watertight.

As-is

Sold with its faults, priced for them, and not sold watertight. An as-is unit may have a patched repair that weeps, a soft or holed floor section, a door seal that no longer seats, or perforation in a panel.

We price as-is units individually rather than off a list, because condition varies too much for a single figure to be honest. And we tell you what is wrong with a particular unit before you buy it, not after it lands.

What it commits us to: disclosing the faults. Nothing about water.

Terms you will see elsewhere

"A grade", "B grade", "premium used". These are seller-invented and mean whatever the seller wants. There is no industry standard behind them. Ask the direct question instead: is this unit sold wind and watertight, yes or no?

"Wind and watertight" (WWT). A real term with a real meaning — a light test done from inside with the doors shut, looking for daylight. It is about water arriving from above, in rain. It has never been a claim about water rising from below, and nobody should sell it to you as one.

"IICL". A leasing-industry inspection standard, stricter than cargo-worthy. Rare in the Australian retail market and generally priced close to new.

"One-trip", "single-use", "new build". All the same thing as single-trip.

The one question worth asking every seller

"Which grade is this, and is it sold watertight?" A clear answer tells you what you are buying. A vague one tells you something too.

Our team can quote the container and delivery together. Share the size, condition and suburb, and compare the complete written quote before booking.