Conditions Guide
How to Inspect a Shipping Container
A practical inspection checklist for used and one-trip shipping containers — roof, floor, doors, seals, and the light test — plus what is normal wear and what is a defect.
The five-minute inspection
- •Roof: stand back and sight along it — deep standing-water dents are a flag; surface rust is normal
- •Walls: dents are cosmetic unless the steel is torn or the frame is deformed
- •Doors: both doors should open and close by one person and seal evenly
- •Gaskets: door rubber should be continuous, not cracked or missing
- •Floor: probe soft spots; patched plywood is normal, rot is not
- •Light test: close yourself inside — any visible daylight through walls or roof fails WWT
Normal wear vs defects
On a used container, surface rust, faded paint, dents, and floor patches are expected and priced in. Defects are anything that breaks the grade guarantee: holes, torn steel, non-sealing doors, missing gaskets, or frame damage that prevents stacking or transport. A properly graded WWT unit can look rough and still be completely weatherproof.
Remote buying
Most of our customers buy remotely: we confirm the unit against its grade before quoting and provide detailed condition photos with the quote on request, so you can perform this checklist from your desk. On delivery or pickup, repeat the quick visual check before signing off.