This article is for reference purposes for anyone who needs to find an ISO code for their shipping container, or if you want to understand what this ISO code represents or means. Show
More and more of our customers are asking for the ISO code for a certain size and type of container, so to help we have included a table below of all the ISO codes for the common types of export grade containers. All shipping container ISO codes will appear among the information printed on the top right hand of the container doors as you look at them from the outside and they also appear on the top right hand side of the side panels under the container number. (In this example pictures the ISO code is 22G1) What is an ISO code and what does it do?An ISO code for a shipping container is an internationally recognised means of classifying the container. It allows someone to determine the size and type of a container by looking at the code (bearing in mind when in a stack on board a container boat, looking at the door alone won’t tell you how long the container is, or if it has doors at the other end etc…) The ISO code is viewable on the top right hand side of all the external panels of a container. On the 20ft container pictured you can see the container number at the top (4 letters followed by 7 numbers) and underneath is the 4 digit ISO code. All ISO codes are 4 characters long:
ISO Codes for popular standard dry / high cube shipping containersWe are often asked what is the ISO code for the shipping container I’ve just purchased. Around 80% of our sales will be one of these 3 types of shipping container, and ISO code is listed next to the container type. 20ft Container 22G1 40ft Container 42G1 40ft High Cube Container 45G1 Please note that these are the most common types of containers. The above 3 ISO codes may also be seen to end in a zero as opposed to a one. The code ending in a 1 signifies that passive vents are used at the upper part of the cargo space. These units with vents (as opposed to containers without passive vents) are much more common on modern shipping containers and can be considered for most purposes to be the case. Any shipping line wanting to know the ISO code typically won’t mind if the container has vents or not, they will be a lot more concerned over the size, shape and state of repair for the container. You can see a full and detailed list of ISO codes and their assignments on the prefixlist website If you are dealing with a certain type of container and trying to work out what ISO code it should have, we find the Hapag lloyd Container Guide to be a great help if you want to ‘reverse lookup’ an ISO code from a specific size and type of container. This guide is pretty comprehensive. Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles. If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes). Type ISO 6346:1995 or ISO 6346:1984 sea container size-type code to get detailed info about container length, height and width both in millimeters and feet, standard and alternative container names, group, type and full description. Currently, the container capacity of 5 of the world’s major players in container transport is estimated at 16.4 million TEUs (Twenty Equivalent Units). More than 90% of global cargo is transported by multimodal containers. Considering the number of containers that are in circulation around the world, to transport about 2 billion tons of cargo annually, how does one keep track of their whereabouts? How are containers identified, tracked, and accounted for? Unique identifiers known as container number or container identification number is assigned to every container that is used for the transport and storage of cargo. It is used as the reference for all commercial and legal purposes as far as the container or consignment is concerned.  These numbers assigned by the ISO (International Standards Organization) through BIC (Bureau International des Containers), under ISO 6346:1995 E, are made up of 4 letters followed by 7 numbers. Each container number is unique. Some examples of container numbers are:
The ISO and BICThe ISO is an internationally recognized non-governmental body based in Geneva, Switzerland for setting international standards. BIC, on the other hand, has been appointed by the ISO as the global container prefix registry. The BIC is a non-profit organization that aims to promote safety and security in the field of container transport. The BIC also maintains a container facility code registry that identifies each facility that is involved in the container industry, on a geographical basis. The unique alpha-numeric container number is mainly displayed on the top right part of the container door along with other details. It may also appear on all sides of the container except the base so that MHE (Material Handling Equipment) operators can identify the container easily. The container number appears on the container in other places too. The CSC Plate and the Combined Data PlateIt is mandatory for each container to have the CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) plate on it. This is a small, rectangular, non-corrosive, and fire-proof plate fixed on the door of a container. It shows technical data of the container and details of tests it has undergone, under the heading ‘CSC Safety Approval’ in bold. Some containers may have a Combined Data Plate that includes several other data regarding the container, besides the details of the CSC plate. Some of the details shown on a Combined Data Plate are:
A convention for container safety was held in 1972, jointly by the UN (United Nations) and the IMO (International Maritime Organization). This came to be known as the Convention for Safe Containers (1972). The CSC 1972 sets forth test procedures for establishing the strength of containers that is necessary for the safety of humans operating such equipment as well as for the durability of the containers. Breaking up a Container NumberThe methodology followed by BIC for framing a container number is as follows:
* The equipment identifier (fourth letter in the container number) can be one of these letters in the capital case:
** The check digit is a method of validating the owner code (first three letters) and serial number (first six numbers). This is normally shown within a box to separate it from the serial number. The container number MSCU5285725 may be broken up thus: The owner code of the container number is approved by the BIC after verification. In the example of container numbers given above, MSCU is of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), HLXU of Hapag Lloyd, and TLLU of Triton Containers International Limited. Most containers display the distinct logo of the company that owns the container. Size and Type CodeHaving examined the container number, now, what is the 4-lettered code that appears right underneath it on the container door? This code called the Size and Type Code may consist of letters or numbers and it contains the dimensional information of the container. The first character shows the container’s length while the second shows its height. The last two characters denote the type of container; whether a general-purpose dry container, refrigerated container, open-top, platform, or tank container. The BIC-issued types and sizes chart used for the Size and Type codes is shown here for reference: Other Operational MarkingsA container will also have other operational markings on it. These include:
The identification system using container numbers is used internationally for tracking containers as well as in shipping documents such as the bill of lading, packing list, invoice, etc. A consignment may be a single container or it may consist of several containers. All the container numbers are shown on the bill of lading while each container will have its separate packing list. The container numbers are used in communication between the seller, buyer, transporter, government agencies, or any other party who may be part of the transaction. Most cargo tracking apps use the container number to track and trace the current location of their cargo. You might also like to read:
Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. Latest Maritime law Articles You Would Like:Subscribe To Our NewslettersBy subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Web Stories Pro-Palestinian Hackers Gain Access To US Navy’s Top Secret Data Qatar released 8 Indian Navy Veterans from espionage case U.S Navy Needs More Counter-Drone Weapons To Face Houthis US Navy to Build Submarine That Travels Faster Than the Speed of Sound US Navy Destroyer To Visit Japan’s Ishigaki Island For the First Time Hari Menon is a Freelance writer with close to 20 years of professional experience in Logistics, Warehousing, Supply chain, and Contracts administration. An avid fitness freak, and bibliophile, he loves travelling too. What is the ISO code for 40ft open top?ISO Code 42U1 open-top dry box containers. Dimensions: Length 12,192 millimeters (40 feet), Height 2,591 millimeters (8 feet 6 inches), Width 2,438 millimeters (8 feet). Which ISO code is used for the open top container?ISO Shipping Container Size Codes. What is a 45R1 container type?45R1 is the most common sequence for a reefer (40-foot high cube). The container width code is usually not used since most containers have a width of 8 feet, but there are pools of containers with a width of 8 feet and 2 inches that use the E label. What does 45G1 mean on a shipping container?Container Type Groups. |
