Buying a Used Container Sight-Unseen: The Photos to Ask For

Most people who buy a used container never see it until it arrives. That's normal: containers sit in depots that buyers rarely visit. But it means the photos you get before paying are your inspection.

Here's exactly which photos to ask for, what to look for in each, and what to get in writing. Use it whenever you buy used shipping container units sight-unseen, from us or anyone else.

Ask for the actual unit, not "a similar one"

Stock photos and "representative" pictures show what a grade usually looks like, not the box you'll get. Ask for:

• Photos of the specific container you're being quoted
• Its unit number: four letters and seven digits on the doors, such as ABCU 123456 7
• Recent photos, ideally taken in the last few days

If the seller can't or won't provide them, treat it as a warning sign.

The 10 photos to ask for

• Both long sides, full length, to spot large dents, patches and rust
• The door end, closed, showing the doors, locking bars and unit number
• The far end wall from outside
• The roof, from a ladder or forklift if possible, or close-ups of any dents
• The interior with the doors open, looking all the way to the back
• The interior with the doors closed from inside: the light test for holes
• The floor, especially the first few feet inside the doors
• The door seals and hinges, close up
• The CSC plate on the door, showing the manufacture date
• Any damage the seller knows about, close up

A short video walk-around is even better. It's much harder to hide problems in a continuous video than in still photos.

How to judge what you see

Normal on used containers

• Dents and dings on the side walls
• Surface rust and faded or patchy paint
• Old logos and markings
• Scuffs on the floor

Worth asking about

• Dents in the roof, especially with rust staining
• Patches on the walls or roof: are they welded steel or filler?
• Stains on the floor
• Rust along the bottom rails

Red flags

• Daylight visible from inside with the doors closed
• Soft, broken or rotten floor sections
• Doors that look bent, or gaps around closed doors
• Bent corner posts
• A unit number that doesn't match your quote

For a full list, see the condition checks on our used conex containers page.

Warning signs in the photos themselves

Sometimes the photos are the problem, not the container. Be cautious if:

• The photos carry another company's watermark or logo. They may be borrowed from another seller.
• No photo shows the unit number. You can't tell whether it's the box you're buying.
• Every photo is a close-up. Wide shots show dents, patches and bent frames that close-ups hide.
• The background changes between photos. You may be looking at several different containers.
• The photos are heavily filtered or very dark. Rust and damage are easy to hide.
• The same photos appear on other websites. A quick reverse image search will show you.

A message you can send the seller

Copy and adapt this when you ask for photos:

Hi, I'm interested in the used 20ft wind and watertight container you quoted. Before I pay, could you send current photos of the actual unit: both sides, the door end with the unit number, the roof, the inside with the doors open, the floor near the doors, the door seals and the CSC plate? A short video walk-around would be great too. Thanks!

A genuine seller will usually reply within a day or two.

Questions to ask alongside the photos

1. What grade is it? Cargo-worthy, wind and watertight, or as-is.
2. How old is it? The CSC plate shows the manufacture date.
3. Do the doors open and close easily?
4. Has it had any repairs?
5. Has it carried anything that might leave a smell or residue?
6. Which way will the doors face on delivery?

Get it in writing

Before you pay, make sure your quote or invoice shows:

• The unit number that matches the photos
• The grade
• The size, height and type
• The delivered price, including fees and tax
• The delivery window and door direction

If the container that arrives has a different unit number, or doesn't match the grade, you'll have the paperwork to sort it out.

Inspect it when it arrives

Before the driver leaves:

1. Check the unit number matches your paperwork.
2. Open and close the doors.
3. Do the light test: step inside, close the doors and look for daylight.
4. Walk the floor for soft spots.
5. Take your own photos of the container as delivered.

FAQ

Is it safe to buy a used container without seeing it?

Yes, if you get photos of the actual unit, match the unit number to your paperwork and buy from a seller you've verified.

Why does the unit number matter?

It identifies the exact container. Matching it between photos, quote and delivery proves you got the box you paid for.

Can I visit the depot instead?

Sometimes. Many depots don't allow public visits, but it's worth asking. Photos and a video are the usual alternative.

What if the delivered container doesn't match the photos?

Don't sign off on delivery without noting the problem. Photograph it and contact the seller straight away with your paperwork.