Useful articlesReading time ~4 minPublished 23.10.2026

One-way, IICL, CW, WWT, As-is: shipping container condition grades

Sellers describe a container’s condition with abbreviations. Each grade tells you what the container is good for and what price to expect.

Grades from best to worst condition

One-way (new)Practically new, one cargo trip. Good for anything, including conversions and visible spots.

IICLThe best used grade, inspected to the leasing standard. Good for shipping and long-term storage.

CW (Cargo Worthy)Fit for cargo, with signs of use. Good for shipping and storage.

WWT (Wind and Watertight)Dry and windproof, but no longer certified for sea cargo. Good for storage on the ground.

As-isAs it stands, with no promise about condition. Buy only after viewing.

What each grade means

One-way. A new container shipped once from the factory to Europe. No repairs, one colour, new door seals. The most expensive grade, but it lasts longer and looks good. See new one-way containers.
IICL. Named after the Institute of International Container Lessors. This is the condition containers must be in when they come back from leasing: no holes, limited dents and no significant rust. The best grade among used containers.
CW: Cargo Worthy. Fit to carry cargo by sea, usually with a valid CSC plate. It may have dents, rust spots and repairs, but the structure is sound and the container is dry.
WWT: Wind and Watertight. Dry and windproof: no holes, the doors close. No longer certified for sea cargo. A good, low-cost choice for storage on the ground: on a building site, a farm or in a yard.
As-is. Sold as it stands, with no promise about its condition. It may have holes or a damaged floor or doors. Buy only after viewing, and only if you know what you will use it for.

What to check in any grade

Inside, in daylight. Close the doors from the inside: if you see light, there’s a hole.
Floor. Look for soft or rotten spots.
Doors. They should open and close with one hand, and the seals should be intact.
Roof. Puddles and dents on the roof can mean rust.
Number and CSC plate. The number must match on the doors, the walls and the plate.

Full checklist: how to choose a used shipping container.

What we sell

Every container in our catalogue says whether it is one-way or used. If a container has a defect, it’s in the name and visible in the photos. You can view all of them in Riga before buying: new one-way and used containers.