Buying A Shipping Container? Read This First

Whether you need a shipping container for shipping, storage or conversion into a home, office workshop etc., you need to have the right one for the job. There are multiple options when you're looking at shipping containers for sale, and if it's your first time in the market for one, you may find it slightly challenging to find the right one for your needs. You need to make a few careful considerations in order to find a shipping container that will work perfectly for you. For instance, shipping containers come in different grades or categories, and it is imperative to understand the terms used to describe the various categories in order to pick one that suits your needs. Here are the major categories you should know about.

One Trip

One-trip shipping containers are usually new. As the name implies, these containers have been shipped only once, usually from the manufacturer overseas to the respective destinations. One-trip shipping containers have the best quality and are highly resilient against the outdoor elements. The top quality and perfect condition of these containers make them ideal for a range of uses, whether for storage, shipping, or conversion. Remember, however, that one-trip shipping containers will be the most expensive.

Cargo Worthy

The second grade of shipping containers is known as cargo worthy. These containers have been used for quite some time compared to their one-trip counterparts. However, due to their structural integrity, they are still suitable for transporting cargo. Therefore, if you are looking for a budget-friendly container for shipping purposes, cargo-worthy containers are the way to go.

Wind and Water Tight

Shipping containers can suffer some damage over time. Repairs may be done to correct some minor damage. However, if the damage is significant enough, such as damaged subflooring joists, the containers won't be used for shipping anymore. These types of containers are usually categorised as wind- and watertight. Storage solutions are some of the practical applications of wind- and watertight shipping containers.

As Is

The last category of shipping containers you may come across is referred to as "as is".  These containers are usually the poorest when it comes to condition. They have significant damage and are extremely susceptible to the elements. In most cases, sellers of these types of containers won't make any repairs and will sell them in their condition as it is, hence the name. These containers are the cheapest, but you need to figure out whether repairing the damaged areas will make the container a better investment than its counterparts.