Guide · Buying and owning
Container Grades & Condition
Yuri Kan Updated
Container grades from best to worst: one-trip (single loaded voyage, effectively new), IICL (passes the strictest leasing-industry inspection), cargo-worthy (CW — certified for ocean shipping, valid CSC), wind & water tight (WWT — weatherproof but not certified for shipping), and as-is (no guarantees). For static storage, WWT is usually sufficient; for export, you need CW or better.
Two containers of the same size can differ in price by 3× and more — the top of the dealers’ one-trip range against the bottom of their WWT range — and the difference is grade, not dimensions. Grades describe condition and certification, and they matter because they decide what a unit may legally do: sail, or just sit.
Prices on this page are US-market figures, October 2026, from the dealers’ published ranges; regional and seasonal spreads apply.
The numbers in this chart
| Grade | Price vs used cargo-worthy |
|---|---|
| One-trip | 1.6–1.7× |
| Cargo-worthy | 1.0× |
| WWT | 0.8–0.9× |
The grades, decoded
One-trip: built in Asia, sailed once with cargo, sold at destination. Minor handling marks at most. The de-facto “new” container.
IICL: passes the Institute of International Container Lessors inspection — stricter than CSC; the standard for leasing fleets. The current criteria edition is IICL-6.
Cargo-worthy (CW): structurally sound with a valid CSC plate; may be chartered for international shipping.
WWT: doors seal and the roof sheds rain, but certification has lapsed. The normal grade of storage units.
As-is: sold without warranty — expect rust-through, floor damage or door problems.
| Grade | Price multiplier |
|---|---|
| One-trip | 1.6–1.7× |
| Cargo-worthy (CW) | 1.0× (baseline) |
| WWT | 0.8–0.9× |
| As-is | below WWT; dealers publish no range |
What to inspect before buying
Roof from above (dents pool water), floor boards (delamination and chemical spills), door gaskets (light test: close yourself inside — any daylight is a leak), corner castings (cracks) and the CSC plate (present, legible, in date for CW claims). Surface rust is cosmetic on Corten steel; scale rust that flakes in sheets is structural.
Frequently asked questions
What does cargo-worthy mean?
The container is structurally fit for international transport and carries a valid CSC safety approval. It can be booked for ocean freight, unlike WWT or as-is units.
Is a one-trip container new?
Practically yes — it has made exactly one loaded voyage from the factory. Expect minor forklift or handling marks but full remaining service life.
What grade of container do I need for storage?
Wind & water tight (WWT) is sufficient for static storage and costs less than cargo-worthy: $1,300–2,300 against $1,700–2,800 for a 20 ft (US market, October 2026). Choose CW only if the unit might ever ship internationally.
How long does a one-trip container last?
About 13 years of ocean service from new — the life over which the lessor Triton writes off a dry box in its 2023 accounts — and a one-trip unit starts that clock almost new. Retired to static use, it goes on for many years more with basic care: touch up rust spots, keep the roof draining and the door gaskets sound.