Our pre-dispatch inspection standard

Why we publish this

A container is a large purchase bought from photographs, often sight unseen. Publishing the checklist we work to means you can hold us to it, and it means the grade on a listing has a defined meaning rather than being a sales word. Every unit is checked against the list below before it is loaded.

Shell and structure

• Roof panels checked for holes, heavy pitting, dents holding water and previous patch quality.
• Side and end panels checked for perforation, deep pitting and damage from handling.
• Corner castings and corner posts checked for cracks, distortion and weld damage.
• Base rails and cross members checked for corrosion and impact damage.
• Whole shell closed up and checked for daylight and for water ingress.

Doors

• Doors opened and closed fully to confirm alignment and that the cams engage.
• Gaskets checked along their whole length for contact, splits, hardening and missing sections.
• Hinges, cam bars and keepers checked and greased.
• Lock furniture and lockbox checked for security and function.

Floor

• Plywood walked and probed for soft spots, rot and delamination.
• Bearers checked from underneath where accessible.
• Fixings checked for lifted or missing screws.
• Contamination, heavy staining and odour assessed; unsuitable floors are replaced or the unit is downgraded.

Refrigerated and freezer units

• Machine started and run, and pull-down towards the set point observed.
• Controller function and displayed temperature checked.
• Insulated panels checked for delamination, punctures and impact damage.
• T-bar floor and drains checked clear.
• Door seals on an insulated unit checked to the same standard as the shell.

Offices, cabins and welfare units

• Lining, ceiling and flooring checked for damage and water marks.
• Lighting, sockets and consumer unit checked visually and for physical damage.
• Glazing, shutters and personnel door locks checked for function.
• Plumbed units checked for leaks and for tank and waste connection condition.
• Electrical and plumbing connection on site is for a qualified trade — we supply the unit ready for connection, not connected.

What happens when a unit fails

Anything that fails a check is repaired to the standard of its grade, downgraded and re-listed at the correct grade, or withdrawn. It does not ship as something it is not. If a delivered unit still does not match its stated grade, that is a misdescription and we collect it and refund in full at no cost to you — see the returns page.

Company details

• Legal name: Shipping Container Titan Distribution LLC
• Registered in Delaware, registration DE-772109
• EIN: 94-3148464
• 250 Little Falls Dr, Wilmington, DE 19808
• (302) 666-4991 · sales@sctitancontainers.store · 9am–5pm Monday–Friday