| Container Type |
Confirm that the unit is genuinely side-opening, not a standard dry container with an added access door. |
Side-opening configurations commonly use one long-side opening, multiple side doors, or a combination of side and end doors. |
Product drawings, door layout, internal photographs, and a completed specification sheet. |
Unclear door arrangement, missing opening dimensions, or photos that show a different model. |
High |
| Nominal Size |
Match the nominal length and height to the cargo, transport route, and available handling space. |
Common nominal lengths are 20 ft and 40 ft. High-cube units are normally 9 ft 6 in high, while standard-height units are normally 8 ft 6 in high. |
External and internal dimensions, door opening dimensions, tare weight, maximum gross mass, and payload calculation. |
Only nominal dimensions are provided; actual internal dimensions and tare weight are omitted. |
High |
| Internal Capacity |
Check whether the usable floor area and door opening are sufficient for the longest, widest, or tallest cargo item. |
Usable capacity varies with the frame, door system, insulation, flooring, and fittings. Side-door clearances are often smaller than the external side length. |
Dimensioned CAD drawing or certified technical data sheet showing clear openings and floor dimensions. |
Supplier quotes only external dimensions or uses “full side opening” without stating clear access dimensions. |
High |
| Structural Frame |
Inspect corner posts, corner fittings, top and bottom side rails, cross-members, and weld quality. |
Load-bearing components should be suitable for the declared maximum gross mass and compatible with container handling equipment. |
Manufacturing drawings, material specifications, weld inspection records, and recent inspection photographs. |
Visible buckling, cracked welds, distorted corner fittings, excessive corrosion, or unsupported modifications. |
Critical |
| Floor System |
Verify flooring condition, load rating, moisture resistance, and compatibility with forklifts or pallet trucks. |
Container floors are often hardwood or engineered wood over steel cross-members. The actual permissible point load depends on the design and manufacturer. |
Floor material, thickness, permissible axle or wheel load, repair history, and underside inspection images. |
Soft spots, delamination, oil contamination, water damage, protruding fasteners, or no stated floor load rating. |
Critical |
| Side-Opening Doors |
Test hinges, locking bars, gaskets, retainers, door alignment, and the ability to open safely on level ground. |
Doors should open and close without excessive force and should maintain weather resistance when locked. |
Opening-cycle test video, door hardware list, gasket details, replacement-part availability, and service instructions. |
Door sagging, uneven gaps, difficult locking, missing restraints, sharp edges, or water entering through the seals. |
Critical |
| Weather Tightness |
Confirm resistance to rain, spray, dust, and normal cargo-handling exposure. |
Door seals, roof seams, corner posts, side panels, and repaired areas are the main potential leakage points. |
Water-test report, inspection checklist, photographs of seals and roof seams, and repair records. |
Rust trails, daylight visible through door gaps, damp floorboards, mold odor, or unsealed weld repairs. |
Critical |
| CSC Compliance |
Determine whether the container is intended for international sea transport or only domestic storage and transport. |
Internationally used containers generally require a valid Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) safety approval plate and periodic examination status. |
Photograph of the CSC plate, approval number, maximum gross mass, stacking and racking values, examination date, and inspection documentation. |
Missing or illegible CSC plate, expired examination status, mismatched serial number, or altered structural components. |
Critical |
| ISO Compatibility |
Check whether the container can be handled and secured using the intended intermodal equipment. |
Relevant references may include ISO 668 for classification and dimensions, ISO 1161 for corner fittings, and ISO 1496-1 for general dry-freight container requirements. |
Declaration of conformity, dimensional inspection report, corner-fitting details, and compatibility statement for the intended route. |
Supplier claims “ISO standard” without identifying the applicable standard or the scope of compliance. |
Critical |
| Maximum Gross Mass |
Ensure the maximum gross mass covers cargo, pallets, dunnage, and any internal equipment. |
The permitted gross mass must be taken from the container safety plate and technical documentation, not assumed from nominal size. |
CSC plate, manufacturer data sheet, tare weight certificate, and payload calculation for the planned cargo. |
Payload is calculated using an estimated tare weight or exceeds the rating on the safety plate. |
Critical |
| Cargo Securing |
Verify lashing points, cargo bars, partition posts, and the permissible load for each fitting. |
Securing capacity varies by fitting and design. Lashing points must not be treated as lifting points unless specifically rated. |
Lashing-point layout, safe working load, engineering calculations where necessary, and installation details. |
No rated capacity, improvised weld-on rings, damaged fittings, or instructions that confuse lifting and lashing functions. |
Critical |
| Ventilation and Cargo Suitability |
Assess ventilation, condensation risk, odor, cleanliness, and suitability for the cargo type. |
Standard dry containers are not automatically temperature-controlled or gas-tight. Vents may reduce condensation but do not replace cargo-specific climate control. |
Vent layout, cleanliness report, prior-use declaration, odor inspection, and cargo compatibility statement. |
Strong chemical odor, unknown previous cargo, blocked vents, pest evidence, or use for sensitive goods without a risk assessment. |
High |
| Surface Protection |
Review corrosion protection on the frame, panels, roof, door hardware, and underside. |
Paint systems and coatings should be suitable for marine or outdoor exposure, with repair procedures for damaged areas. |
Coating specification, dry-film thickness record, corrosion inspection, and photographs of high-risk areas. |
Active corrosion at corner fittings, deep pitting, flaking coating, or fresh paint hiding unrepaired damage. |
High |
| New, Used, or Refurbished |
Define the condition category before comparing prices. |
“New build,” “one-trip,” “cargo-worthy,” “wind and watertight,” and “refurbished” describe different condition levels and should not be treated as interchangeable. |
Condition declaration, manufacturing year, serial number, repair log, inspection date, and photographs taken before shipment. |
Generic “like new” wording, no manufacturing year, no serial-number trail, or stock photos only. |
High |
| Indicative Pricing |
Compare the complete delivered cost rather than the ex-yard unit price alone. |
Budgetary prices in 2026 can vary widely by size, condition, side-door design, certification, delivery distance, taxes, freight, and local inventory. A realistic comparison should use written quotations for the same specification. |
Itemized quotation covering unit price, modifications, inspection, certification, inland delivery, port or terminal charges, taxes, installation, and warranty. |
Unusually low price, large unexplained deposit, omitted delivery costs, or a quote that does not identify the exact specification. |
Critical |
| Total Cost of Ownership |
Estimate maintenance, door-hardware replacement, corrosion treatment, inspection, and future relocation costs. |
Side-opening systems generally contain more hardware and seals than a single-end-door dry container, which may increase maintenance needs. |
Spare-parts price list, maintenance schedule, warranty terms, service response time, and expected inspection costs. |
No spare parts, no maintenance instructions, proprietary components with no local support, or warranty exclusions for normal door use. |
High |
| Supplier Identity and Traceability |
Confirm that the contracting entity, manufacturing source, inspection party, and payment beneficiary are consistent. |
Reliable documentation should create a traceable link between the quotation, serial number, inspection report, safety plate, invoice, and shipping documents. |
Registered business details, verifiable address, serial-number list, factory or depot photographs, inspection records, and references for comparable projects. |
Different names on documents, unverifiable address, pressure for full prepayment, or refusal to share serial-number evidence. |
Critical |
| Pre-Shipment Inspection |
Use an independent inspection before final payment or loading. |
Inspection should cover dimensions, structure, doors, seals, floor, CSC plate, serial number, cleanliness, corrosion, and photographs from all sides. |
Signed inspection report, timestamped photographs, test videos, nonconformity list, and corrective-action confirmation. |
Inspection is performed only by the seller, report lacks serial numbers, or defects are accepted without a written remedy. |
Critical |
| Delivery and Handling |
Confirm unloading equipment, ground conditions, access width, turning radius, and placement requirements. |
A loaded container requires suitable lifting or handling equipment. Side doors also need adequate clearance for safe operation after placement. |
Delivery method, lifting plan, site survey, unloading responsibility, access measurements, and installation instructions. |
“Delivery included” without unloading scope, no site survey, insufficient side clearance, or unsuitable ground conditions. |
High |
| Contract and Warranty |
Put specifications, acceptance criteria, delivery time, remedies, and warranty obligations in the contract. |
Warranty terms should identify coverage for structure, roof leaks, door hardware, seals, flooring, and corrosion separately. |
Signed purchase contract, approved drawings, acceptance checklist, warranty period, claims process, and retention or inspection terms. |
Verbal promises, vague warranty language, no remedy for nonconformity, or payment terms that leave no inspection leverage. |
Critical |
| Final Decision Rule |
Approve only when safety, compliance, fit, cost, and supplier evidence are all satisfactory. |
A lower price should not compensate for missing CSC documentation, structural defects, poor weather tightness, or unverified supplier identity. |
Completed comparison sheet with pass/fail results, approved drawings, inspection report, final quotation, and contract documents. |
Any unresolved critical defect or missing compliance evidence before shipment. |
Go / No-Go |
