Researching your first shipping container purchase? Terms like "one-trip," "IICL," "cargo worthy," "WWT," and "as-is" describe a container's age and condition — but no one teaches you what they actually mean. This guide breaks down all five grades in plain English so you can buy with confidence.
Shipping containers are graded by condition, from One-Trip (essentially new) at the top end to As-Is (sold for parts) at the bottom. The most important practical distinction is Cargo Worthy — containers that can still ship internationally — versus Wind & Watertight (WWT), which are sealed against weather but can't be re-certified for shipping.
At Affordable Storage Containers, we sell only IICL or One-Trip grade containers. Our rental fleet is maintained at Cargo Worthy or IICL grade. We do not sell as-is or basic WWT containers.
U.S. dealers commonly use these five condition categories. Click any grade below to jump to the full explanation.
Essentially new — one ocean crossing, then sold.
Used but maintained to the strictest leasing-industry standard.
Used, certified seaworthy, suitable for one more shipping trip.
Sealed against weather but not certified for shipping.
Sold without condition guarantees. May have leaks or damage.
One-trip containers are as close to "brand new" as a buyer can practically purchase in the U.S. market. The name is precise: every shipping container sold in North America was manufactured overseas — primarily in China — and travels to a U.S. port loaded with cargo on its first journey. Once that single trip is complete and the container is unloaded, it enters the aftermarket. There is no such thing as an unused container in the U.S. supply chain. The container traveled at least once.
A one-trip container has typically made one ocean crossing and is less than a year old. The exterior may show minor handling marks from loading and unloading, but the structural integrity is essentially pristine. Paint is vibrant, the interior is clean, doors operate smoothly, and the floor shows no wear.
Best for: Long-term storage, customer-facing applications, container modifications (offices, retail builds, container homes), public-facing properties where appearance matters, or any project where a customer wants the longest possible service life.
One-Trip is one of the two grades we sell. If you want a container that will look as good a decade from now as it does on delivery day, this is the right grade. Request a quote on a one-trip container →
IICL stands for the Institute of International Container Lessors — the trade association for marine container leasing companies. The IICL maintains the strictest published inspection standard in the industry (most recently IICL-6), which establishes precise tolerances for dents, corrosion, repairs, and structural integrity that a container must meet to remain in continuous global service.
An IICL container is a used unit that still meets these strict criteria. It may have made several trips and shows wear typical of early-stage commercial use, but any indentations, scratches, or repairs fall within IICL-6 limits. Practically, IICL containers represent the best balance of excellent condition and used pricing. They can be re-certified for international shipping if needed.
Best for: Long-term storage where appearance and durability both matter, modification projects with budget sensitivity, container leasing applications, or any buyer who wants near-pristine condition without paying for one-trip pricing.
IICL is the second of two grades we sell, and our rental fleet is maintained at IICL or Cargo Worthy. If you want a quality used container that will hold up for the long haul, IICL hits the sweet spot.
A cargo-worthy container is a used unit that has been inspected by a licensed maritime surveyor and certified suitable for one more international shipping voyage. The Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) establishes the global standard, and a current CSC certification is required for any container loaded onto a ship for export.
Cargo-worthy containers are typically older than IICL units — often 10 to 15 years old — and show more visible wear. They must still meet structural standards: at least 95% structural integrity, no holes, no leaks, doors that operate, sound flooring, and dents no deeper than industry-defined tolerances (typically 1.5 inches). The exterior often shows original paint, original shipping markings, surface rust, and abrasions, but none of that affects the certification.
Best for: Storage applications where appearance is not the primary concern, single-use shipping projects, business operations that prioritize function over aesthetics, or buyers who want the option to ship the container in the future.
Our rental containers are maintained at Cargo Worthy or IICL grade. When you rent from us, you get a unit that meets international shipping standards — not a basic WWT box that's been resprayed to look acceptable.
A wind & watertight container is the industry's most common storage-grade unit. The name describes exactly what's promised: wind and water cannot get in. The roof, walls, and door seals are intact enough to keep the contents dry, but the container has been retired from international shipping service and is not certified for re-export.
The honest reality of the WWT market: this is the grade where buyers are most often misled. The industry has no formal global certification for WWT — it's a self-described condition. Some dealers sell containers as "wind and watertight" when the actual condition is closer to as-is. Doors may stick. Seals may be marginal. Floors may have soft spots. The phrase "wind and watertight" sounds reassuring, but without a structured inspection standard behind it, the term varies widely from one dealer to the next.
Best for: Stationary storage where the container will never be moved or shipped, budget-conscious buyers who understand they're not getting a shipping-grade container, or short-term needs where a multi-decade container isn't the priority.
Because the WWT grade is not formally certified and is the most commonly misrepresented in the industry, we don't sell it. Customers who buy a WWT container often discover the "wind and watertight" promise was looser than the seller implied. We choose to sell only IICL and One-Trip — grades with documented standards behind them.
An as-is container is sold without any condition guarantee. The seller makes no promises about leaks, structural integrity, door function, floor condition, or any other operational characteristic. Buyers purchase the container knowing they may need to invest in significant repairs to make it usable for any purpose.
As-is containers typically arrive at this grade because they no longer meet WWT standards, were damaged during loading or transit, sat in long-term outdoor storage in saltwater environments, or were retired by leasing companies after exhausting their commercial life. The prices are lower than any other grade, but the total cost of ownership often equals or exceeds a higher-grade container once repairs are factored in.
Best for: Buyers with welding, fabrication, and repair experience who want to invest sweat equity, projects that intentionally use distressed containers (artistic builds, agricultural windbreaks), or scenarios where the container will be cut up for raw steel.
Important note: Once a container is classified as as-is, it cannot regain Cargo Worthy or higher status — even if repaired and repainted. This is a one-way grade. A scammer may repaint an as-is container to look new, but the underlying structural history remains.
Selling distressed inventory at low prices is a viable business model, but it isn't ours. Our customers want a container they can use immediately, not a project. If you're specifically looking for an as-is container for a fabrication project, we may be able to refer you elsewhere — call us at 334-320-7071.
Quick reference for the practical differences between each grade.
| Attribute | One-Trip | IICL | Cargo Worthy | WWT | As-Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical age | < 1 yr | < 10 yrs | 10–15 yrs | 12–18 yrs | 15+ yrs |
| Remaining lifespan | 25–30 yrs | 20–25 yrs | 15–20 yrs | 10–15 yrs | Variable |
| Shipping eligible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Wind & watertight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | No guarantee |
| Documented standard | Manufacturer spec | IICL-6 | CSC | None (informal) | None |
| Doors operate smoothly | ✓ | ✓ | Usually | Sometimes | No guarantee |
| Best for modifications | Excellent | Very good | Acceptable | Limited | Project only |
| Affordable Storage Containers sells? | Yes | Yes | Rental fleet | No | No |
For sales, we offer only IICL or One-Trip grade containers — the two highest commercial grades. For rentals, our fleet is primarily IICL grade; on occasion we make available containers retired from the rental fleet at Cargo Worthy grade. We grind off rust spots, repaint as needed, and verify door operation before every delivery. We don't sell as-is. We don't sell unverified WWT. When you order from us, you know exactly what you're getting.
Get a Quote on a Higher-Grade Container →Both are used containers in good condition, but IICL is the stricter standard. IICL containers are typically newer (under 10 years), have been maintained to the precise tolerances of the IICL-6 inspection standard, and have minimal cosmetic wear. Cargo Worthy containers are typically older (10–15 years), still meet the structural standards required for international shipping (CSC), but show more cosmetic wear — original shipping markings, surface rust, dents, and faded paint.
Both grades will last 15+ years for storage use. The main practical difference is appearance and remaining commercial lifespan.
WWT is the most commonly misrepresented grade in the industry because there's no formal certification standard behind it. Two dealers can both sell "WWT" containers and deliver wildly different products. We've seen WWT units with sticking doors, marginal seals, and floors close to failure — sold at the same price as a properly graded container.
We choose to sell only grades with documented standards behind them: One-Trip and IICL for sales, and Cargo Worthy or IICL for rentals. That way, what we describe and what you receive are the same thing.
The most reliable methods: ask for the CSC plate (every shipping-grade container has one with the manufacture date and certification history), inspect the container in person before payment, ask for current photos of the specific container, and compare the asking price against multiple legitimate dealers. If a "Cargo Worthy" container is priced like a WWT, it probably isn't actually CW.
Our yard at 1715 S Memorial Drive in Prattville is open during business hours for self-walk inspection. Containers with price tags are for sale — walk through them, open the doors, look at the floor, and make sure what you're paying for is what you're getting.
No. Once a container loses its Cargo Worthy or higher status, it cannot regain it — even with repairs. The container's service history and CSC documentation determine its grade, and that paperwork doesn't reset just because the container has been refurbished. A repainted as-is container is still an as-is container.
This is one of the most common scams in the container industry: distressed units that have been cosmetically restored and resold as a higher grade. Always verify the CSC plate and the container's service history before purchase.
One-Trip or IICL grade. Container modifications involve cutting, welding, and structural changes, and starting with a near-pristine box gives the cleanest result. Modifying a WWT or as-is container often costs more in repair work than the container itself was worth, and the finished structure may have hidden corrosion that surfaces years later.
For a serious conversion project — short-term rental, retail, accessory dwelling — start with One-Trip. For a budget-conscious modification where appearance is a secondary concern, IICL is a strong middle option.
One-trip containers can last 25–30 years with proper site preparation, annual inspection, and rust touch-up. IICL containers typically last 20–25 more years from purchase. Cargo Worthy units commonly last 15–20 more years. WWT and as-is units have shorter and more variable remaining lifespans.
Two factors matter most for longevity: keeping the container on flat, level ground (so the doors stay aligned and the structure doesn't twist) and addressing rust spots early before they spread. Containers in inland environments like Central Alabama tend to outlast their coastal counterparts because they aren't exposed to salt air.
Approximately 95% of all shipping containers in the global fleet are manufactured in China, with smaller quantities produced in Vietnam, India, and a few other countries. New containers are loaded with cargo at the factory, shipped to a destination port, and unloaded — that's the "one trip" of the one-trip grade. From there, they enter either continued shipping service (eventually becoming IICL, then Cargo Worthy, then WWT, then as-is) or the aftermarket for resale to storage and modification buyers.
Our containers arrive primarily from the Port of Savannah, Georgia, with additional units from rail hubs in Atlanta and Memphis. Once they arrive at our Prattville yard, we inspect them, address any issues, and prepare them for delivery.
Now that you know the grades, you can buy with confidence. Get a quote on an IICL or One-Trip container delivered anywhere within 100 miles of Prattville, AL.
