Shipping Container Grading
Find out how we grade our containers
At Shipping Container King, we understand that every shipping container is unique, and grading them isn't always a cut-and-dry process. It's more of an art form that may yield different results depending on the assessor. However, we've established a robust and reliable framework to grade each container that passes through our depot, ensuring consistency and fairness.
We photograph every container on arrival, offering you a clear picture of what you're considering. Upon request, these images are available for you to peruse. And, if it's convenient, we highly recommend visiting our depot to personally inspect any container you're contemplating buying. This not only gives you the full picture but also safeguards you from potential missteps.
In today's digital age, it's unfortunate that scammers are on the rise, offering unrealistically low prices to entice and dupe unsuspecting buyers. We urge caution when dealing with online operators who may not provide the same level of transparency that we do at Shipping Container King. Rest assured, our team is dedicated to providing a safe, honest, and professional container purchasing experience.
Our Container Grades
The containers at Shipping Container King are split into 10 separate categories for grading, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst.
| SCK Rank | Condition | Typical Age |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | New Build - Premium | 0 - 3 years |
| 9 | New Build - Standard | |
| 8 | New Build - Economy | |
| 7 | Older Build - Premium | 3 - 10 years |
| 6 | Older Build - Standard | |
| 5 | Used - Premium | 10+ years |
| 4 | Used - Standard | |
| 3 | Used - Economy | |
| 2 | Used - Budget | |
| 1 | Used - As Is |
New Build Shipping Containers
These containers are typically less than 3 years old and are in the best condition you can get a container in, however this quality generally comes at a higher cost than the lower grade containers. These containers are recommended if you need something that looks good and you need it to last a particularly long time.
New Build - Premium
Grade 10 containers are as good as they come. These are so new, you can almost see your reflection in the shine on the paint.
- Very little or no scuffs or dents
- No damage to the container
New Build - Standard
Grade 9 containers are the second best containers we supply. They may have minor visual problems, but are still essentially the same as a grade 10.
- Very little or no scuffs or dents
- Very minor visual problems such as touch up paint on the outside
New Build - Economy
Grade 8 containers are perfect for people who want a great looking container but don't want to pay top dollar. These containers come with a couple bumps here and there but are essentially the same as a grade 9 or 10
- Very minor scuffs or dents
- May have touch up paint or other very small visual problems
Older Build Shipping Containers
Older build containers usually come from our ex-hire fleet. These containers are in relatively good condition, are wind and water tight. If you give them a hose down and some paint, they can look almost as good as our new builds, for a lower cost.
Older Build - Premium
Grade 7 containers are the top of the range when it comes to older builds. These containers are good for people who just need a box to store furniture or transport goods, but don't care as much about shiny paint.
- Minor scuffs or dents
- Very minor surface rust
- Paint may be faded
Older Build - Standard
Grade 6 containers are in relatively good condition. These are the lower end of our older builds, however are still a great option if you're looking for a container to store or transport goods.
- A couple of dents and scuffs here and there
- Paint will most likely be faded
- Minor surface rust
- Inside may have some wear and tear, but will still be in relatively good condition
Used Shipping Containers
Used shipping containers are second hand containers. These containers may have been used by shipping lines or businesses and can come with distinct odours, worn paint, rust, bad floors, dents and scuffs.
Used - Premium
These containers are the best you can get of our used containers. They have some problems, but are still a great option, especially for the budget conscious shopper.
- Some scuffs and dents
- Surface Rust
- Visible repairs
- Wind & water tight
Used - Standard
Grade 4 containers are awesome for people shopping on a budget who still want to have their furniture and goods safe from the elements.
- Lots of scuffs and dents
- Wind and water tight
- Noticeable repairs
Used - Economy
Grade 3 containers are in pretty bad shape. They have been used a lot before and you can tell. They are still a good option for garden sheds or transporting goods, as long as you don't care what they look like.
- Very scuffed and dented
- Obvious repairs
- Wind and water tight
- Surface rust
Used - Budget
These containers are in very bad condition. Don't use these if you want to guarantee that your goods are safe from the elements.
- Very scuffed and dented
- Obvious repairs
- Barely wind and water tight
- Some areas may be rusted through
Used - As Is
These containers are in very bad condition. They may or may not keep your goods safe from the elements. These are the worst of the worst, however that is also reflected in price, so they may be the perfect option, depending on your individual needs.
- Dents and scuffs
- Obvious repairs
- Not wind and water tight
- Some areas may be rusted through
- May have holes
- May have structural damage
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