Shipping Container Inspection at Delivery
With Pay-on-Delivery, you verify the container's condition before completing payment. This guide walks you through every check — so you accept with confidence or reject before you owe a dollar.
Inspection at delivery protects your purchase
Checking the container before you sign off confirms it matches your order, is structurally sound, and is ready for immediate use. It is your last opportunity to reject a unit without obligation.
| Area | What to Check | Acceptable | Reject If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Panels, roof, frame, corner posts | Minor dents, surface rust, paint wear | Holes, roof punctures, crushed corners, severe frame damage |
| Doors | Opening, hinges, locking bars, seals | Heavy operation on used units; may need lubrication | Doors won't close, seals broken, locking bars won't engage |
| Floor | Strength, cracks, cross-member separation | Surface wear, discoloration, cargo marks | Soft spots, missing sections, structural floor damage |
| Interior | Walls, ceiling, visible light entry | Minor cosmetic dents | Daylight through holes, punctures, major distortion |
| Placement | Level position, door direction, drop location | Container sits level and doors open as intended | Misplaced, unstable position, blocked door access |
The 7-Step Inspection Walkthrough
Follow these steps in order before the driver leaves your site.
-
Verify the Container Matches Your Order
Before checking condition, confirm the correct unit was delivered.
- Size: 20ft or 40ft as ordered
- Height: Standard or High Cube
- Type: Standard, Double Door, Side Door, or Open Side
- Condition grade: One-Trip or Used (Cargo Worthy / WWT)
- Door direction and requested placement positioning
-
Exterior Structural Inspection
Walk the full perimeter and inspect panels, roof, frame, and corner posts.
Acceptable
- Surface rust
- Cosmetic dents
- Paint wear
Required
- No holes in panels
- No roof punctures
- Corner posts straight
- Frame not twisted or collapsed
Reject If
- Structural holes present
- Crushed corners
- Roof penetration
-
Door Operation and Seals
Doors are critical for both usability and weather protection. Open and close them fully.
- Doors open fully (may require force on used units)
- Locking bars rotate and engage in all positions
- Hinges function without excessive binding
- Door seals are intact and continuous around the frame
- No visible gaps when doors are fully closed
Note: Used containers often have heavy doors and may need lubrication. Stiff operation alone is not a reason to reject — broken seals or doors that won't latch are. -
Interior Floor Inspection
Container floors are marine-grade plywood bonded to steel cross-members. Walk the full floor area.
Acceptable
- Surface wear
- Discoloration
- Previous cargo markings
Required
- Solid and stable underfoot
- No deep cracks
- No separation from cross-members
Reject If
- Missing sections
- Soft or collapsing areas
- Structural floor damage
-
Interior Walls and Ceiling
Step inside and examine walls and ceiling — a flashlight helps on overcast days.
- No daylight visible through walls or roof
- No punctures in wall or ceiling panels
- No structural bending or major distortion
- Cosmetic dents are acceptable and expected on used units
-
Wind & Watertight Verification
A Wind & Watertight container must seal fully and protect contents from outside weather at the time of delivery.
- Container prevents rain from entering
- Doors close and seal completely
- Contents are protected from external elements
Quick test: Close the doors and stand inside. Any pinpoints of daylight indicate a gap that may compromise weather resistance. -
Placement and Accessibility Check
This is your last check before the driver departs. Do not let them leave until placement is confirmed.
- Container sits level on the ground
- Doors open in the intended direction
- Placement matches the requested drop location
- Site remains accessible around the container
What Pay-on-Delivery Protects You From
- Receiving an incorrect container type or size
- Accepting damaged or structurally unusable units
- Door or seal issues undetected before payment
- Structural problems concealed during transit
Pay-on-Delivery means you only complete payment once the container meets expectations at your site.
Learn About Pay-on-DeliveryWarranty Coverage After Acceptance
Typically Covered
- Structural integrity at delivery
- Wind & Watertight condition
- Functional door operation
- Correct configuration delivered
Not Covered
- Cosmetic dents
- Surface rust
- Paint condition
- Normal wear on used units
When to Reject or Contact Support
Do not accept the container if you observe any of the following. With Pay-on-Delivery, you are under no obligation to complete payment until the unit meets your standards.
View Quality Standards- Holes in walls or roof panels
- Doors not sealing or locking properly
- Severe or structural frame damage
- Incorrect container type or size delivered
New One-Trip Side Door & Open Side Containers
Side door and open side configurations give you full-width access along the length of the container — making loading, unloading, and organizing far more practical than standard end-door access alone. These new one-trip units arrive unused from their first overseas voyage, with no previous storage wear.
A full-length side door opening alongside the standard rear doors. Ideal for loading wide or long items without end-to-end repositioning — perfect for workshops, retail, and equipment storage.
View ContainersThe entire side panel opens for maximum access — ideal when forklifts, wide shelving, or large equipment need to be moved in or out without the constraints of a door frame.
View ContainersExtra interior height combined with full-length side door access. The extra foot of clearance makes a meaningful difference when storing taller equipment, shelving systems, or palletized goods.
View ContainersMaximum access, maximum interior volume. The full side opening on a high cube unit makes it the go-to choice for contractors, retailers, and logistics operators needing rapid, unobstructed access to large quantities of stored goods.
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