Conditions

Understanding Shipping Container Conditions

Choosing the right shipping container starts with understanding the condition grades available. At BRE GENERAL TRADING, we offer a wide selection of new and used shipping containers to suit different budgets, industries, and applications.

Each condition grade reflects the container’s age, structural integrity, cosmetic appearance, and intended use. Whether you need a container for secure storage, international shipping, construction projects, or container conversions, understanding these grades will help you make the right choice.

Our experienced team carefully inspects every container before sale to ensure it meets the quality standards associated with its condition classification.

Condition	Best For	Wind & Water Tight	Shipping Certified
New One Trip	Premium projects	✔	✔
IICL	International shipping	✔	✔
Cargo Worthy	Shipping & storage	✔	✔
Wind & Water Tight	Storage	✔	✘
Refurbished	Budget storage	✔	Depends
Used	General storage	Usually	No
AS IS	Repairs/parts	Not guaranteed	No

Shipping Container Conditions

Used

Our most popular option, used general-purpose containers have typically spent between 5 and 15 years in active shipping service before being retired.Most used containers retain their original paint and shipping line markings and may show signs of wear, including surface rust, dents, scratches, and general cosmetic imperfections.While they may not have a like-new appearance, used containers are often structurally sound and, depending on their grade, remain suitable for storage, transportation, and a variety of other applications.

New One Trip

New One Trip containers are manufactured overseas and loaded with cargo for a single shipment before arriving at our depot locations.As a result, they may have minor dents, scratches, or handling marks from transport and regular shipping operations.By shipping these containers with cargo on their first journey, transportation costs are reduced, allowing us to offer high-quality containers at more competitive prices. These containers are considered the closest option to brand-new condition.

Refurbished

Refurbished containers are previously used Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers that have been restored to improve their appearance and extend their service life. The refurbishment process may include surface preparation, rust treatment, priming, and repainting. We offer several refurbishment options:Typical Refurbishment – The container exterior is prepared and repainted, including rust treatment and spot priming where necessary.Complete Refurbishment – Includes all exterior refurbishment work plus repainting of the interior.Factory Refurbishment – A comprehensive restoration process that includes new interior and exterior paint, replacement gaskets, and updated container markings.

Used shipping containers are inspected and graded based on factors such as age, structural condition, exterior and interior appearance, repair history, and overall serviceability. The following grades are commonly used when evaluating containers.

Wind And Water Tight

Our most popular container grade, Wind and Water Tight containers are guaranteed to be free from leaks and suitable for secure storage.While fully weather-resistant, these containers may still show visible signs of previous use, including original paint, surface rust, dents, scratches, and other cosmetic wear associated with active shipping service.

Cargo Worthy (CW) containers are structurally sound and suitable for transporting cargo by sea or land. They have passed inspection to ensure they remain weather-resistant and safe for freight use.
Recommended for:

Export shipping
Long-term storage
Construction sites
Commercial applications

IICL (IICL-6)

IICL containers meet the strict inspection standards established by the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL). These containers are generally in excellent condition and are suitable for international shipping and export use.Compared to standard used containers, IICL units typically have a cleaner appearance, fewer repairs, and a higher overall value.

AS IS

An AS IS container is a unit that has been inspected and found to have significant damage or structural issues that make repair impractical or uneconomical. These containers may have problems such as holes, damaged flooring, corrosion, or other structural defects.AS IS containers are generally recommended only for projects where appearance, weather resistance, or structural integrity are not primary concerns.

Need Help Choosing the Right Container?

Not sure which container condition is right for your project?

Our experienced team is happy to help you compare options based on your budget, intended use, and delivery location.

📞 +1 (503) 446-8003

✉ info@bregeneraltrading.com

☎️ +1 (503) 446 8003 📧 info@bregeneraltrading.com