Cargo-Worthy WWT IICL Container Condition Grades, Explained for BC Buyers

Shipping containers are sold by condition grade, and the labels can be confusing the first time you shop. This guide breaks down the cargo-worthy WWT IICL container condition grades in plain language so you can buy the right unit for a BC backyard, farm, or jobsite — without overpaying for a grade you don't need.

What the cargo-worthy WWT IICL container condition grades mean

Most sellers, including us, describe used containers with a handful of industry terms. Here's what each one actually tells you:

• New / One-Trip: Built overseas, used for a single cargo voyage to North America, then sold. Cosmetically near-new, with the cleanest interior and original factory paint. The priciest grade.
• Cargo-Worthy (CW): A used unit that's structurally sound and certified fit to carry cargo by sea. It holds a valid CSC plate, has no major rust-through, and the doors seal. The benchmark grade for export and shipping.
• Wind & Water Tight (WWT): A used unit that keeps wind and water out — dry inside, sound roof and seals — but may not carry a current shipping certification. Surface rust and dents are normal at this grade. Ideal for ground storage.
• IICL (lease grade): The strictest used standard, set by the Institute of International Container Lessors. IICL units are inspected to tight criteria and sit a notch above plain Cargo-Worthy. You'll rarely need this grade for storage.
• As-Is: Sold exactly as it sits, with no promise of being watertight. May have holes, floor damage, or a stuck door. Cheap, but a gamble unless you inspect it yourself.
• Refurbished: A used box that's been repaired, repainted, and sometimes re-floored. Quality varies widely by who did the work.

The CSC plate, and why it matters less for storage

The CSC plate (from the International Convention for Safe Containers) is a metal data plate bolted near the doors. It records the build date, certifications, and stacking and weight ratings, and it's required for a container moving internationally by sea. Programs like ACEP — the Approved Continuous Examination Program that keeps a CSC plate valid through ongoing inspection — and lease-grade standards such as the IICL's feed into whether a box is considered cargo-worthy.

Here's the practical part: if your container is going to sit in a BC yard holding tools, tires, or feed, a current shipping certification doesn't change how well it keeps the rain out. The CSC plate matters most when you plan to ship or export the container. For static storage, a sound WWT or CW box does the job.

Which grade do you actually need?

Match the grade to the job:

Use	Grade that fits
Backyard, farm, or jobsite storage	Used WWT or CW
Workshop or hobby space	Used CW, or New if you want a clean shell
Shipping or export by sea	Cargo-Worthy with a valid CSC plate (or IICL)
Habitable conversion (office, suite)	New / One-Trip — cleanest base for insulation and finishing
Tight budget, hands-on buyer	As-Is, only after a careful in-person look

For the large majority of BC buyers, a sound used WWT or CW 20ft container is the sweet spot: dry, secure, and far cheaper than a one-trip unit. If you're weighing footprint too, our guide on 20ft vs 40ft containers walks through space and access. Planning a conversion? Check BC permits and zoning first, because that often drives whether you need a cleaner grade.

What "Used" means at Conway

We grade our used stock honestly rather than dressing it up. A used container will show its age — surface rust, scuffs, the odd dent, a faded paint patch — but the units we sell as used are sound: dry inside, solid floor, doors that open, close, and seal. We don't hide wear in the listing, because you'll see it in person anyway.

That's the key step: inspect before you buy. Our yard is in Richmond, BC, and viewings are by appointment. Bring a flashlight, step inside, close the doors and look for daylight, check the floor for soft spots, and run your hand along the roof seams. A ten-minute look tells you more than any photo. To book a time, request a quote and we'll arrange a viewing.

Conway's current stock and pricing

Everything in our yard today is 20ft, which suits most BC storage and workshop needs and is easier to place on a typical lot. Current pricing in CAD:

• Used 20ft Standard — from $2,400. The everyday storage workhorse; sound WWT/CW condition.
• New 20ft Standard — $3,300. One-trip, clean shell, the pick for conversions.
• Used 20ft High Cube — $3,950. A foot of extra interior height for tall loads or headroom.
• New 20ft Open Side — $6,700. Full-length side doors for wide or awkward access.

40ft units are built to order on a quote rather than stocked, so reach out if that's what you need. Color and paint condition vary across used stock — see container colors if appearance matters for your site.

Getting it to your site

Most containers are delivered by tilt-deck truck, which slides the box onto level ground without a crane. We deliver across BC: core Metro Vancouver from $250, extended areas like the North Shore, Tri-Cities, Ridge Meadows, and Langley from $350, and the rest of the province by custom quote. Punch in your postal code on our delivery estimator to see your zone before you commit.

The honest takeaway: for storage you almost never need more than a sound used WWT or CW unit. Browse what's on the ground in our catalog, then get a quote and book a Richmond inspection so you can judge the condition with your own eyes.