| Container classification |
Confirm that “one trip” is a commercial description, not an ISO quality grade. The unit should be newly manufactured or have completed only one documented transport cycle. |
Production record, delivery history, equipment identification number, and date-stamped inspection report. |
No undisclosed prior leasing, storage damage, structural repair, or repainting that conceals defects. |
Older or repaired equipment may be presented as new, reducing service life and resale value. |
| ISO 6346 identification |
Use a valid container identification format with owner code, equipment category identifier, serial number, and check digit. |
Clear photographs of the identification markings, check-digit calculation, and container data plate. |
All markings must be legible, consistent across documents, and traceable to the inspected unit. |
Documentation mismatch can cause customs delays, gate rejection, or difficulty tracking the asset. |
| CSC safety approval |
Verify a valid safety approval plate under the International Convention for Safe Containers before international sea transport. |
Front-facing and close-up photographs of the CSC plate, including approval number, manufacture date, maximum gross mass, and stacking/racking values. |
Plate must be permanently attached, readable, and consistent with the container specification and shipping documents. |
The container may be refused for international carriage or require costly re-inspection. |
| ISO 668 dimensions |
Match the ordered size and type, such as 20-foot general purpose, 40-foot general purpose, or 40-foot high-cube. |
Measured exterior dimensions, internal dimensions, door-opening dimensions, tare weight, and rated gross mass. |
Measurements must comply with the agreed ISO type and the tolerances stated in the approved inspection specification. |
Incorrect height or length can prevent stacking, rail movement, depot acceptance, or delivery to the final site. |
| Structural frame and corner fittings |
Inspect corner posts, top and bottom rails, cross members, corner castings, welds, and locking components in accordance with the applicable container design requirements. |
High-resolution photographs of all eight corners, underside, roof frame, welds, and twist-lock openings; surveyor comments on deformation. |
No cracks, open welds, severe buckling, displaced corner castings, or deformation affecting handling and stacking. |
Structural defects can create lifting hazards, stacking instability, and cargo damage. |
| Floor and load-bearing surface |
Confirm sound marine-grade flooring, correctly secured floorboards, and a clean, dry, odor-free interior. |
Interior floor photographs, underside photographs, moisture or odor observations, and records of any repaired boards. |
No soft spots, exposed fasteners, contamination, oil stains, delamination, or holes that could affect cargo. |
Wet or contaminated flooring may cause cargo claims and additional cleaning or replacement costs. |
| Doors, gaskets, and locking gear |
Both doors should open, close, seal, and lock smoothly without excessive force. |
Open-door and closed-door photographs, gasket close-ups, locking-bar video, and water-ingress test result. |
Continuous gasket contact, functional locking bars, aligned doors, and no visible daylight around the closed door perimeter. |
Water ingress, difficult loading, cargo exposure, and delays at the receiving location. |
| Roof, sidewalls, and end walls |
Panels should be free from punctures, active corrosion, hazardous sharp edges, and material distortion that compromises weather-tightness. |
Exterior walk-around video, roof photographs taken from an elevated position, interior light-leak test, and corrosion notes. |
No holes or light leaks; only minor cosmetic marks acceptable if agreed in the purchase specification. |
Leaks and corrosion may develop during the voyage or shorten the usable service period. |
| Coating and corrosion protection |
Confirm the agreed coating system, surface preparation, paint coverage, and dry-film thickness where specified. |
Paint specification, coating inspection record, dry-film thickness readings, and photographs of roof, underframe, and weld areas. |
No exposed steel, active rust scale, blistering, peeling, or unapproved touch-up areas. |
Premature corrosion increases maintenance cost and can affect structural integrity. |
| Factory quality-management evidence |
Prefer suppliers with a current ISO 9001-certified quality-management system, while recognizing that certification does not replace product inspection. |
Current certificate scope, validity dates, manufacturing-site address, calibration records, and inspection procedures. |
Certificate must cover the relevant manufacturing activity and remain valid at the time of production. |
A certificate may be irrelevant, expired, or unrelated to the actual production site. |
| Pre-shipment photo protocol |
Require unit-specific, time-stamped images rather than generic catalog photographs. |
Minimum photo set: all sides, roof, underside, interior, floor, doors, corner castings, data plate, serial markings, and accessories. |
Serial number must appear in at least one image and match the inspection report and commercial invoice. |
Stock images can conceal substitution, cosmetic damage, or a different production batch. |
| Independent third-party survey |
Arrange an independent inspection before final payment or release to the port, especially for remote or first-time suppliers. |
Signed survey report containing unit numbers, inspection date, checklist results, measurements, photographs, defects, and surveyor credentials. |
Inspection status should be “passed” or “passed with agreed minor defects,” with corrective actions closed before shipment. |
Undetected defects may become difficult to claim after loading or arrival at destination. |
| Sampling and serial traceability |
For multiple units, define an inspection sample and require every shipped unit to be serial-numbered and photographed. |
Packing list, serial-number register, loading photographs, seal record, and sample-size rationale. |
No unapproved substitution; any failed sample should trigger expanded inspection or 100% inspection. |
A small sample can miss repeated defects across a large shipment. |
| Loading and shipping documents |
Align the purchase order, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, container numbers, seal numbers, and certification records. |
Final document pack sent before departure, including loading photos and verified container list. |
Zero unexplained differences in quantity, serial numbers, dimensions, gross mass, seal numbers, and consignee details. |
Document discrepancies can cause customs holds, demurrage, and payment disputes. |
| Payment release control |
Link the balance payment to objective milestones: approved inspection, complete photo set, verified serial list, and document consistency. |
Written inspection approval, corrective-action closure, signed packing list, and final shipping-document checklist. |
Do not release the final balance while critical structural, CSC, identification, or weather-tightness issues remain open. |
Full payment before verification weakens leverage over corrective work, replacement, or refund claims. |
