Product Condition Guide

Overview

Every container and portable building we sell is listed with a condition grade. The grade tells you what the unit has been through, what it is guaranteed to do, and what cosmetic condition to expect. Reading this guide before you order avoids surprises at delivery and helps you choose the right unit for the job.

The grades below follow the terms commonly used in the Australian container trade. Where a listing includes specific photos or notes, those describe the actual unit and take priority over the general description here.

Grades at a glance

Grade	History	Guaranteed condition	Cosmetics	Typical use
New / One Trip	Built recently, shipped once with cargo to Australia	Wind and watertight, structurally sound, near-new	Minor handling marks possible	Homes, offices, conversions, long-term storage
Used, Cargo Worthy	Several years in shipping service	Wind and watertight, certified fit for export shipping	Dents, rust, markings	Export shipping, not currently sold by us
Used, Wind & Watertight (WWT)	Several years in shipping service, retired	Wind and watertight, doors work and lock	Dents, surface rust, patches, faded paint	Site and farm storage, workshops
Used, As-Is	Retired, sold without guarantee of watertightness	Matches listing photos and notes only	May have holes, heavy rust, floor damage	Non-weatherproof storage, projects, parts

New / One Trip

A New / One Trip container was manufactured recently and has made one loaded voyage to Australia, which is how new containers reach the country. It has not been used in the shipping pool. Expect fresh paint in a single colour, a clean timber or bamboo floor, tight door seals and smooth-operating locking bars. Minor scuffs, small marks from handling equipment or slight scratches may be present from that single trip. These are normal and are not defects.

New units carry a current CSC plate and are suitable for conversion, occupation, on-selling and any use where appearance matters. Our voluntary 18 month warranty applies. New portable offices, cabins, ablution blocks and crib rooms are new-built and come with the fit-out described in their listing.

Used, Cargo Worthy

Cargo Worthy is a used grade in which a surveyor has certified the container as fit to carry cargo by sea. It is wind and watertight and structurally sound, with a valid CSC plate. It is the grade needed if you plan to export a container loaded with goods.

We include this grade here so you understand the term. The used inventory we currently sell is described as Wind and Watertight, not Cargo Worthy. We do not describe our used stock as Cargo Worthy, and a Wind and Watertight unit should not be assumed to be certified for shipping. If you need a Cargo Worthy unit for export, tell us and we will advise on availability and survey.

Used, Wind & Watertight (WWT)

A Wind and Watertight unit has spent several years in shipping service and has been retired. We check that it keeps wind and water out, that the roof, walls and floor are intact, and that the doors open, close and lock. That is the guarantee. Everything else about its appearance reflects its working life.

Expect some or all of the following, none of which are defects for this grade:

• Dents and dings in the walls and roof, including larger pushed-in panels that do not affect watertightness.
• Surface rust on the exterior, corner posts, door hardware and under the floor, without holes.
• Previous shipping-line markings, logos, numbers and stickers, sometimes painted over.
• Paint variation, fading, chalking and patches of different colour where repairs were made.
• Welded or riveted patches from past repairs.
• Floor wear, stains, minor gouges and previous fixings, with the floor still solid.
• Stiff door seals that improve with use, and doors that need a firm hand.

The CSC plate on a WWT unit may be expired. Where the plate status is relevant, such as for on-site placement rules or a future move by sea, it is noted in the listing. WWT is the right grade for storage, workshops, farm sheds and site use where weather protection matters but appearance does not. Our voluntary 6 month limited warranty applies to the unit remaining wind and watertight.

Used, As-Is

An As-Is unit is sold without a guarantee of watertightness. It may have holes, heavy corrosion, damaged floors, bent frames or doors that need work. The listing photos and notes describe the actual unit, and that description is what you receive. As-Is units suit projects where you plan to repair or cut the unit, storage of items that can tolerate weather, or salvage of parts. Ask us before buying if you are unsure whether an As-Is unit suits your plan.

CSC plates

The CSC plate, fixed to the door of a shipping container, records its safety approval for international transport and its inspection dates. A current plate matters only if the container will be shipped by sea. It has no bearing on the unit’s suitability for storage or site use. New units have a current plate. Used units may have an expired plate, and we note plate validity where relevant to the listing.

Portable buildings

Portable offices, cabins, ablution and toilet blocks and crib rooms are listed as new or used with the same principles. New units are new-built with the fit-out described. Used units are described by their specific condition, with photos, and any known issues noted. Ask us for additional photos of any used building before ordering.

Choosing the right grade

• Need a clean unit for conversion, occupation or a visible location? Choose New / One Trip.
• Need dry, secure storage at the best price and do not mind the look? Choose Wind and Watertight.
• Have a project, a budget, and the tools to repair? Consider As-Is.
• Need to ship goods overseas in the container? Ask us about Cargo Worthy availability.

What this means for returns and warranty

Cosmetic condition consistent with the grade is not a fault and is not grounds for return or a warranty claim. A used unit that fails to meet its grade, for example a WWT unit that leaks, is a different matter and is covered by our Warranty Policy and by the Australian Consumer Law. Change-of-mind returns apply only to new, unmodified units, as set out in our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Contact

Unsure which grade to choose, or want more photos of a specific unit? Email sales@aadlogisitcsau.com, call +61 2 8310 8053 or use our Request a Quote page.