Shipping container grades: new, one trip, IICL, cargo worthy, WWT and as is
Updated 27 October 2026 · 7 min read
Short answer. A container grade describes its condition and what it may be used for. From best to worst: new (never or almost never used), one trip (one loaded voyage after manufacture), IICL (meets the leasing industry's inspection criteria), cargo worthy (fit to carry cargo by sea, with a valid CSC plate), wind and water tight (no leaks, but not certified for sea freight) and as is (sold in its current condition, defects included). Only new, one trip, IICL and cargo worthy containers are meant for shipping cargo; WWT and as is containers are usually for storage or conversion.
The grades at a glance
| Grade | Also called | Typical use | Fit for sea freight? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New | Brand new, NB (new build) | Long life, storage, conversion, leasing | Yes, with its CSC plate |
| One trip | 1 trip, near new, OT | Same as new, lower price | Yes |
| IICL | IICL 6, IICL condition | Leasing (return condition), resale to shipping lines | Yes |
| Cargo worthy | CW, CSC certified | Shipping cargo, trading | Yes, if the CSC examination is valid |
| Wind and water tight | WWT | Storage on land | No (not certified) |
| As is | Damaged, scrap, as seen | Repair, parts, low-cost storage | No |
Sellers also use letter grades (A, B, C) or their own labels. These are not industry standards: always ask what the letter means for that seller.
New and one trip
A new container comes straight from the factory. A one trip container was built in Asia, loaded once for an export voyage and then sold at the destination. It has a few marks from handling but is structurally as good as new, which is why it is the most traded "premium" grade.
IICL
IICL stands for the Institute of International Container Lessors, the association of the main container leasing companies. Its inspection criteria define the condition in which a leased container must be returned, and which damages must be repaired before it goes back on hire. The current criteria for dry van containers, called IICL 6, were implemented worldwide on 1 August 2016 and are published in the Guide for Container Equipment Inspection, Sixth Edition.
In trading, "IICL" or "IICL grade" means a used container that meets these criteria: no structural damage, doors and gaskets in good order, floor in good condition, only light dents and surface rust.
Cargo worthy (CW)
A cargo worthy container is structurally sound and may carry cargo at sea. In practice it means:
- the container meets the structural requirements of the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC);
- it carries a CSC safety approval plate, usually riveted on the left door;
- its examination is up to date: either under the periodic examination scheme (PES), first examination not more than 5 years after manufacture and then at least every 30 months, with the next examination date marked on the plate; or under an Approved Continuous Examination Program (ACEP), shown by an ACEP number on the plate or an ACEP decal.
A cargo worthy container can have dents, rust and repairs, as long as its structure, doors and floor are sound and it is weatherproof.
Wind and water tight (WWT)
A WWT container keeps rain, wind and light out: no holes, no leaks, doors that close. It is not certified for sea transport, often because the CSC examination has lapsed or the structure has damage that is acceptable on the ground but not at sea. It is the usual grade for storage on a site or a farm.
As is
An as is container is sold in its current condition, with no warranty. It may have holes, a damaged floor or doors that do not close. Buyers use it for repair, parts or storage where water tightness does not matter.
What to check before buying or leasing
- Ask for photos of the right box: the container number on the doors must match the one on the offer.
- Check the container number with its check digit (ISO 6346). A wrong check digit often means a typing error. Try our free container number checker.
- Read the CSC plate: manufacture date, maximum gross mass, next examination date or ACEP number.
- Look inside with the doors closed: daylight through the walls or roof means the container is not wind and water tight.
- Check the floor and the door gaskets: they are the most expensive parts to repair.
- Agree the grade in writing, with the inspection criteria (IICL 6, CW, WWT) named in the contract.
Grades in Krak Stack
Krak Stack keeps the condition of each container as a field of its record (with the names you use), so that stock lists can be filtered by grade and releases are issued per type and grade. See Trading and Container stock.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IICL and cargo worthy?
IICL is a stricter standard used by leasing companies: a container in IICL condition is also cargo worthy, but a cargo worthy container can have damage that IICL criteria would require to repair.
Can a WWT container be shipped?
Not as a cargo container at sea. It can be moved on a truck or shipped as cargo itself, but it is not certified to carry goods by sea.
What does one trip mean?
The container has made a single loaded voyage after manufacture, usually from the factory in Asia to its first destination, and is then sold.
Where is the CSC plate?
Usually on the outside of the left door. It shows the approval reference, the manufacture date, the container identification, the maximum gross mass and payload, and either the next examination date or the ACEP reference.
Are A, B and C grades standard?
No. They are labels used by some sellers. Ask which condition each letter means.
Sources
- IICL press release, 1 July 2016, "IICL Releases Revised Container Inspection Criteria for Dry Van Containers": https://www.iicl.org/iiclforms/assets/File/public/news/2016/pr_070116a.pdf
- BIC, CSC Combined Data Plate: https://www.bic-code.org/csc-plate/
- BIC, Approved Continuous Examination Program (ACEP): https://www.bic-code.org/acep/