Container parts
ID plate
An ID plate is a metal plate fixed to a container with identifying and approval data. On most shipping containers, the main plate is the CSC safety approval plate. It must be permanently fixed in a visible place. It lists key facts about the unit.
Why it matters
The ID plate shows who built the box and what it can carry. A CSC plate lists the owner, a serial number, the date of manufacture and weight limits such as maximum gross mass and stacking load. Operators read it to check whether a used unit is approved for stacking or sea use. A common mistake is to treat a missing, painted over or unreadable plate as minor. For international shipping, it can stop a box from moving. Some storage-only units have a different builder plate, so ask what rules apply. Photograph the plate when you buy a unit, and keep it in your fleet records.
Read: Shipping container sizes and dimensions for rental fleets
Definition source: containerhandbuch.de
Related terms
CSC plate
A CSC plate is a metal safety approval plate fixed to a freight container under the International Convention for Safe Containers. It shows that the container was approved for international transport and carries the technical data and examination information for that container. The plate is usually fixed to a container door.
CSC safety approval plate
A CSC safety approval plate is the plate that the International Convention for Safe Containers requires on approved containers. A national administration, or a group acting for it, authorizes the maker to fix it. The plate holds the technical data and is the proof of approval.
ISO 6346
ISO 6346 is the international standard for coding, identification and marking of freight containers. It defines the container identification system, with a way to check that an ID was written correctly. It also defines size and type codes and the operational marks shown on the container.
maximum gross weight
Maximum gross weight is the most a container may weigh when loaded, including its own tare weight and the cargo. In ISO 668, ratings include the gross mass of the container. Carrier listings often show 30,480 kg for 20-foot and 40-foot dry containers.
container condition report
A container condition report is a written record of a container's condition at one point in time. It lists findings such as dents, holes, rust, floor and door issues, usually with photos. Operators use it when units leave or return, using criteria such as the IICL inspection guide.
tare weight
Tare weight is the weight of an empty container or vehicle. Subtract it from the gross weight to find the weight of the goods inside. On a shipping container, it is not set by the ISO standards. It depends on how the container was built.
For the industry
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