What do the various markings on the shipping container signify?

Whether it's special container or standard shipping container created Container Family, they all have a lot of information printed on them as the following picture. So, do you understand the meanings represented by these markings?

It is essential to clarify at the outset that these pieces of information are not random. According to legal regulations, special containers and standard containers are required to disclose essential information to ensure the safety of transportation and usage. And these markings are precisely the display of the key information of the container. Next, I will systematically introduce the information conveyed by these signs.

I.Container Number

Container Number This code consists of four letters and seven numbers and is unique. It is used to identify containers globally, making this sequence the most important container identifier. It mainly comprises the following parts:

The first three letters: Container Owner Code This code is uniformly allocated by the International Container Bureau (BIC), representing the shipping company/leasing container company.

1. Fourth letter: Equipment category identification code

The fourth letter is only U/J/Z. Among them, U represents standard dry cargo containers (most containers are of this type), J indicates container-mounted detachable equipment, and Z represents chassis vehicles and trailers.

2. The middle six digits: Serial number of the box sequence

For the same container owner, each container is assigned an independent number. If the number is less than six digits, leading zeros will be added to make it six digits long.

3. The last digit: Check code

This check code will be marked with a box and is derived from the first ten characters through a fixed algorithm, to prevent errors in customs declaration and data entry when entering the box number.

II. Container Size Code

The shipping container size code, also known as the ISO code, is also assigned by BIC to prevent confusion in container naming. This code is typically used to indicate the length, height and type of the container.

First table length: 2 = 20 feet; 4=40ft; 45=45ft

The second digit represents the height specification: 0 = 8 feet (extremely rare); 2 = 8.5 feet ordinary cabinet GP; 5 = 9.5 feet high container HQ/HC

The last two digits indicate the type of container: G1/GP = General Dry Cargo Container; H1/HQ/HC = High Rack Of course, there are also some special cabinets, such as the refrigeration cabinet R1/RF; Open-top container OT Frozen high cabinets H2/RH, etc.

III. Weight Information

MAX GROSS.The maximum total weight that the container can carry, including the weight of the container itself.

TARE.The actual weight of an empty container.

PAYLOAD.The maximum weight of goods that a container can carry.

CU.CAP.The maximum cubic volume that can be accommodated within a container for loading goods.

IV. CSC Nameplate

All containers used for international transportation must be equipped with valid CSC labels. The CSC label usually includes the manufacturing date, MGW, Tare, Payload, manufacturer code, box specification, certification country and approval code. It is also a document for inspection records. A CSC safety re-inspection must be conducted every 30 months after five years.

Container Family is a professional special containers manufacturer who has more than 10 years,we can ensure that the containers sent to you will be strictly marked with "ID card" as per the requirements. At the same time, we will also assist you in completing the safety inspection of the products and updating the labels during the subsequent usage process.We have designed kinds of special containers,including pallet wide containers,offshore DNV containers,energy storage containers,etc.Contact us to leave your message or send your inquiry,our sale team will respond to you as soon as possible.