Four words show up on almost every US container listing, and they mean specific things. If you are about to spend two to eight thousand dollars, they are worth understanding before you make the call.
Those four are new, one-trip, cargo-worthy, and wind-and-watertight. A fifth term, as-is or storage grade, turns up at the cheap end. Here is what each one actually promises.
New (or "factory new")
Manufactured, delivered, never loaded. Paint is even, the floor is clean plywood, the doors seal without effort. In the US market a genuinely new container is uncommon. Most containers labelled "new" are actually one-trip units, which is the next category. If a seller calls a container "new" it is worth asking whether it has ever carried cargo.
Expect to pay the top of the market: roughly $5,500 to $8,000 for a 20ft, more for a 40ft high cube, and considerably more for anything with modifications or a specialist paint job. See our new containers for what we currently have.
One-trip (also called "one-way")
A container manufactured in Asia, loaded once with export cargo, and shipped to a US port where it is sold rather than sent back. The single voyage means minor scuffs and a few surface marks but no meaningful wear. Doors are tight, seals are good, and there is normally a valid CSC plate fitted.
This is the grade most buyers should actually be looking at when they think they want "new". A one-trip 20ft in the US market usually sits between $3,600 and $5,000. A one-trip 40ft high cube sits between $4,800 and $7,000. Colour choice is limited to whatever the shipping line specified when the container was built, which is usually grey, tan or dark blue.
Cargo-worthy (CWO)
Certified fit for international shipping. That is the important part. A cargo-worthy container has been inspected against the criteria the ISO 1496 series sets out, and its CSC plate is either current or renewable. This is what you need if the container will actually be shipped somewhere. It is overkill if it will sit on a slab and hold rakes.
Physically, expect a working container that has done its job for eight to fifteen years. Original paint with patches, a solid floor with the odd repair, doors that still latch properly. Small dents in the walls do not disqualify a container from cargo-worthy status. Structural integrity is what matters, not appearance.
A CWO 20ft usually sells for $2,000 to $3,200 in the US, and a CWO 40ft for $2,800 to $4,200. If a seller offers one at half those numbers, it is worth asking to see the inspection paperwork.
Wind and watertight (WWT)
This one gets confused a lot. Wind and watertight means the container keeps weather out. It does not mean the container has been certified for shipping, and a WWT container's CSC plate may well be expired. For static storage — a workshop, a bunkhouse, a bar conversion — this is fine and often what you want.
A good WWT container has intact door seals, no daylight through the roof or walls, and a solid floor. It probably has cosmetic wear, some rust patches and dents. Prices in the US usually sit at $1,800 to $2,500 for 20ft and $2,400 to $3,200 for 40ft.
The catch is that "wind and watertight" is not a formal certification anyone issues. The seller decides. Ask what specifically has been checked and, if you can, open the doors and look inside with a light before you commit.
As-is (storage grade)
Sold with known defects. Might leak, might have a soft spot in the floor, might have doors that need work. Anyone quoting less than $1,500 for a 20ft is almost certainly selling you as-is, whatever they call it. Read the description carefully and, if you can, inspect before you buy.
The CSC plate: what it is and when it matters
The Convention for Safe Containers plate is a small metal plate, usually on the left door, that records the container's inspection history. It carries a serial number, a manufacture date, a maximum gross weight and a next-inspection date.
You need a current CSC plate if the container will be shipped by sea again. You do not need one if the container will sit on a foundation and never move. Every SteelForge cargo-worthy and one-trip container ships with a valid plate. Storage-grade units usually do not have current inspection dates, and that is disclosed on the listing.
Which grade should you buy?
For a workshop, a garden store, a farm shed, or anything that will not move once placed: WWT is usually enough, and you will save $2,000 or more against a one-trip.
For an office conversion, a container bar, or anywhere the appearance matters: one-trip is worth the money.
For any application involving international shipping: cargo-worthy or better, with an inspection you can see the paperwork for.
If you are not sure which fits, tell us what the container is for and where it will sit, and we will tell you which grade actually makes sense.
Common questions
Can a wind-and-watertight container be upgraded to cargo-worthy?
Sometimes. If the structural condition is sound and the CSC plate is renewable, a marine surveyor can inspect and re-certify. Expect to pay $200 to $400 for the inspection plus any repairs. Not economic on a $2,000 unit; occasionally worth it on a specialist container.
Is a one-trip container the same as new?
Almost, but not exactly. A one-trip container has carried cargo once, which usually means minor scuffs, tie-down chain marks on the floor, and possibly small dents. If those matter for what you are doing, ask for photographs of the specific unit before you pay.
What is the difference between reefer grades?
Refrigerated containers have their own vocabulary. "Working reefer" means the refrigeration unit still runs and holds temperature. "Non-working reefer" means the box is sound but the fridge is not, often bought for insulated storage rather than cold storage. See our refrigerated container listings for current stock.
Does the grade change with paint or modifications?
Structural grade is about the box, not the paint. Repainting or minor modifications do not change it. Cutting new openings for windows or doors can, if done badly. Well-executed modifications with proper reinforcement do not.
Before you buy
Whatever grade you pick, two things are worth checking. The CSC plate, if you need one. And the delivery access. A perfect cargo-worthy container is no use if the truck cannot reach the site. Our access requirements guide covers what a tilt-bed needs, and the delivery cost page explains how we quote haulage.
If you would rather just talk it through, get in touch. We would rather answer questions than have you order the wrong grade.