Container Grading
& Certification

 

CSI Group follows the strict grading scale set forth by the International Standardization Organization (ISO). 

One of our main goals is to help clarify and alleviate some of the confusion surrounding container grading and certification.

When purchasing new or used containers, you will come across all sorts of “grades” and certification acronyms. These usually are: WWT, CW, IICL, CSC… making it all sound complicated and confusing, when in actuality, it is fairly simple. It is important to clearly define your needs: Do I want a container for cargo? Do I want a container for storage? How important are cosmetics?

Let’s start with main acronyms you could run into when dealing with used shipping or storage containers:

  • ISO is an international organization based in Geneva working towards harmonizing worldwide technical standards; including those governing the construction of shipping containers.

  • Established in 1972, the CSC was created to promote and maintain a high level of safety of human life in the transport and handling of containers by providing generally acceptable test procedures and related strength requirements. This has helped facilitate the international transport of containers by providing uniform international safety regulations.

  • Institute of International Container Lessors is an organization which groups the largest container and chassis leasing companies worldwide. The IICL sets repair standards, by which all repairs are carried out, for its members when containers are off hired. IICL is the strictest criterion out there for used containers.

  • Criterion under which a used shipping container is deemed suitable for the transport of cargo under TIR / UIC / CSC and meets all the standards laid out in its original specification. The cargo worthy (CW) standard generally implies that the container has a valid CSC plate. Cargo Worthiness can be certified by a third-party container surveyor pursuant to a physical inspection of the used shipping container.

  • A criterion under which containers are literally “wind and water tight”. In short, if you lock yourself inside the container, you should not see any light coming through the panels or roof. It should be noted that this criterion however makes no reference to the quality of the understructure. A WWT container should therefore not be considered safe for the transport of cargo; unless it is explicitly confirmed it meets the CSC. WWT is commonly used to describe and qualify used storage containers. WWT + CSC = CW

Here is a standard criteria for how containers are most commonly graded:

  • New

    General appearance: very good

    Dents & Scratches: none

    Superficial rusting: none

    Understructure: very good

    Valid CSC: yes

    Meets ISO: yes

    Suitability: transport/storage

  • One Trip (1-trip, 1-T)

    General appearance: very good/good

    Dents & Scratches: minor

    Superficial rusting: none/minor

    Understructure: good

    Valid CSC: yes

    Meets ISO: yes

    Suitability: transport/storage

  • CW (Cargoworthy)

    General appearance: good/mediocre

    Dents & Scratches: medium

    Superficial rusting: medium

    Understructure: good

    Valid CSC: yes

    Meets ISO: yes

    Suitability: transport/storage

  • WWT (Wind & Water Tight)

    General appearance: mediocre

    Dents & Scratches: medium/heavy

    Superficial rusting: medium/heavy

    Understructure: N/A

    Valid CSC: no

    Meets ISO: possibly

    Suitability: storage