If you’re in the market for a shipping container of any kind, for any reason, there are a few things that you are going to want to consider before making a purchase. What size shipping container do you need? Does your shipping container need to be able to stack with others? Are you using it for shipping or for storage? Are you going to convert it?
All of these questions are important to ensure that you end up with the right kind of shipping container for your needs. In today’s blog from the shipping container experts at West Gulf Container, we’ll take some time to cover two fundamental shipping container certifications — CSC certifications and ISO certifications — and discuss why making sure your container has earned them can be important. At West Gulf Container, our mission is to ensure that you find the shipping containers that are right for you.
Is it necessary to have a container that is CSC or ISO certified? Read on to learn more or shop our selection of shipping containers today and find great deals on shipping container rentals and purchases alike.
What Is A CSC Certification?
In short, a CSC certification is an assurance that a given shipping container meets certain standards of safety, durability, and quality construction, as well as size, volume, and weight thresholds.
CSC stands for “Convention of Safe Containers,” and comes from a 1972 agreement that sets international standards for design and safety, ultimately allowing for ease of trade and increased safety for stevedores and other handlers’ cargo.
If you are planning to send your container anywhere overseas, then you really need to make sure that you purchase or rent a shipping container that has a CSC certification, verified by the presence of a CSC plate.
The CSC plate will contain all of the information needed for safe handling and guarantees that the container has been inspected — and passed — for flaws such as holes and cracks, properly operating doors, undamaged exterior fittings, and more.
What Is An ISO Certification?
Another important international certification to look for is the ISO certification.
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, and they are an international group that works together to set standards that allow for a greater transference of goods across international borders by streamlining and coordinating standardized safety inspections, unit specifications, and handling practices.
An ISO certification for your shipping container may have one of a number of specific ISO certification numbers, which can mean slightly different things. However, an ISO certification typically means that your shipping container meets the requirements for intermodal freight transportation.
That means that whether it moves by truck, by ship, or by train, shipping containers can be handled quickly and safely almost anywhere in the world. Any ISO-certified container should also have a CSC certification as well.
The Implications
If you are in the market for a shipping container — or many shipping containers — for the purposes of international transports, you must ensure that you use shipping containers that have achieved these two international standards of certification.
If you are only planning to use domestic shipping, you’re still going to want to try and use a standard, certified container. You may find that many companies don’t have the ability or desire to work with you for logistical or insurance reasons without it.
And finally, even if you are just looking for a storage unit, these certifications guarantee that you are getting a sturdy, well-built, and long-lasting shipping container that can be repurposed for transportation later if needed.
Get Quality, Certified Containers For All Your Shipping And Storage Needs From West Gulf Container
No matter what style, certification, or size of shipping container you need, West Gulf Container can provide you with one for rent or purchase, or we’ll point you in the right direction if we can’t meet your needs. Backed by years of experience and a passion for helping our customers find the shipping containers that are right for them, our mission is to be your trusted partners for all things shipping containers. Whether you’re planning a shipping container storage space, shipping container office, or shipping container modifications for your specific situation, we’d love to lend a helping hand. Simply put, no matter your needs, we’ll go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction. Have a question about ISO or CSC certification? Get in touch today, or shop our online inventory now.