MEANING OF SYMBOLS ON CONTAINER

In the context of today's rapidly growing global economy, ensuring smooth circulation and transportation of goods is a key factor. In particular, the need to transport goods by container has become more necessary, accounting for nearly 90% of total commercial goods output globally. 

A container is not just a simple container, but a perfect solution for loading, unloading, transporting, and preserving goods throughout the entire transportation journey. The unique point of using containers lies in the standardization of size, as well as the large capacity. Therefore, containers can be unloaded from one vehicle to another quickly, saving time and effort and optimizing the transportation process.

Surely when you go out on the road you have seen container tractors of different lengths and symbols on the boxes. So have you ever wondered what those symbols are and what they mean? Let's find out with MDCT Logistics in the article below!

Currently, container code symbols comply with ISO 6346:1995 standard, including 3 main information clusters as follows:

1. CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM)

• First 3 characters: is the code of the container owner registered with the international registry or registered directly with the International Container Bureau - BIC, the container owner is not necessarily a shipping company

• Last letter character: To classify container shells. The meaning of the last few characters is:

U : cargo container

J : detachable equipment of cargo container

Z : tractor or trailer

• 6 numeric characters:Is the number of containers managed by the container owner, set with the convention that they cannot overlap with other containers. If the number of containers does not have 6 digits, additional 0s will be added to make the total 6 numbers. For example: If the cont number is 1234, the full cont number is 001234.

• The last number in the sequence is the check number, called the check digit.

• The feature of this number is that it is printed and framed on the container. The purpose of attaching a check number is to limit the duplication of container numbers because when checked on the system it will be different from reality. In some cases, if 2 characters are wrong, the check number is still correct.

2. SIZE CODE AND CLASSIFICATION

• The first 2 characters can be numbers or letters

• The first character represents the container length: number 2 corresponds to a 20-foot container, number 4 is 40 feet, and especially a 45-foot container will be denoted by the letter L.

• The second character represents the height of the container, convention: number 0 = 8 ft; 2 = 8.6ft, 5 = 9.6ft.

•  The last 2 characters, including:

• The first character will indicate the type of container, common types are:

G: to represent a general container, a regular container (General container)

R: is the cold container (Refrigerate cont)

U: is the open roof container (Open top)

T: is the tank container (Tank container)

P: is the object (Platform container)

• The last numeric character in the 4-character sequence is understood as:

Number 0: means that container can open 1 end or 2 ends (ie can open 1 door or 2 doors).

Number 1: that container will have ventilation doors above.

The letter P: represents the type of container containing both of the above two types.

3. EXPLOITATION SYMBOLS

Mining symbols include:

• Information about the allowable packing capacity of the container

• MGW (Max Gross Weight): is the maximum allowable total weight, meaning the total weight of the entire container including the shell and all goods in it, usually measured in 2 units according to ISO 6346 standards: Kg and Lb (1kg will be almost 2.2 Lb).

• Tare: is the weight of the container

• Net: is the total amount of material including goods, dunnage materials, lashing... (Max = Tare + Net).

• Cu.Cap (Cubic Capacity): is the total number of cubic meters in the container, calculated in units of cubic meters (m3) and cubic feet (ft3). Convert according to the formula: m3 = ft3/35,315.

• Bảng CSC (Container Safety Convention)

CSC is a convention on containers that meet safety standards for transportation, containing all information about containers from number of containers, weight...

This table includes 2 parts:

• Customs sealing allows shipping containers and Safety Certification according to the CSC convention…

• Simply put, the CSC board is like a passport that allows containers to move everywhere across countries.

• Logo or name of the container owner

• Container quality inspection unit logo (not required)

• Warning information on the container shell

In addition to the necessary information on the container, the manufacturer also has different codes on the container to guide the use of the container and notes when loading goods.

Above is basic information about symbols on containers. Hopefully this article will provide useful information to readers.

If you need to import goods from China via official channels, please contact MDCT Logistics today via hotline 0865 763 169 for free consultation and quote. We are committed to bringing you the best official import service from China, the most reputable, and the most competitive prices. Let us help you import goods from China easily, quickly and effectively.