{"id":6344,"date":"2019-10-16T19:09:05","date_gmt":"2019-10-16T23:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/?p=6344"},"modified":"2019-10-16T19:09:05","modified_gmt":"2019-10-16T23:09:05","slug":"container-markings-how-to-read-numbers-symbols-and-warning-plates-on-any-freight-container","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/2019\/10\/16\/container-markings-how-to-read-numbers-symbols-and-warning-plates-on-any-freight-container\/","title":{"rendered":"Container Markings: How to Read Numbers, Symbols and Warning Plates on any Freight Container?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/2019\/07\/13\/freight-containers-classification-sizes-dimensions-markings\/\">Containers<\/a> are the main <strong>Cargo Transport Units (CTU)<\/strong> in international transportation. They increase efficiency and decrease costs in all stages of the transportation.<\/p>\n<p>Containers used in international transportation must carry standard markings in order to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>easy container and cargo tracking<\/li>\n<li>increase border protection measures and prevent illegal cargo traffic<\/li>\n<li>increase efficiency at port operations etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>On this post I explain container markings and how to read numbers, symbols and warning plates on a freight container.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Container Markings<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #339966;\">Door End Markings:<\/span><\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6347\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6347\" style=\"width: 898px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6347 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"898\" height=\"515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end.png 898w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end-768x440.png 768w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end-696x399.png 696w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-door-end-732x420.png 732w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6347\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: https:\/\/www.bic-code.org\/identification-number\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At the container end on the container doors you can find main container markings.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">High cube warning:<\/span><\/strong> Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/2019\/08\/28\/what-are-the-differences-between-40-standard-dry-containers-and-40-high-cube-dry-containers\/\">high cube containers<\/a> carry this warning symbol.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Container Identification Number:<\/span><\/strong> Container identification numbers are assigned by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bic-code.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Bureau International des Containers,<\/a> which was founded in 1933 as a neutral, non-profit, international organization whose mission is to promote the safe, secure and sustainable expansion of containerization and intermodal transportation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"td_quote_box td_box_center\"><p><strong>Container Identification Number:<\/strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\"> BIC Code<\/span> <strong>(Owner prefix)<\/strong> + <span style=\"color: #339966;\">Equipment Identifier<\/span> + <span style=\"color: #339966;\">Serial Number<\/span> + <span style=\"color: #339966;\">Check Digit<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-identification-number.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"578\" height=\"235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-identification-number.png 578w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-identification-number-300x122.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"td_quote_box td_box_center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The identification system provides uniform international identification of containers, in documentation and in communication associated with the movement of containers from door to door. It consists of:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong>The owner prefix (BIC code):<\/strong><\/span> three capital letters of the Latin alphabet to indicate the owner or principal operator of the container,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">The equipment category identifier:<\/span><\/strong> one capital letter as follows:<br \/>\nU for all freight containers,<br \/>\nJ for detachable freight container-related equipment,<br \/>\nZ for trailers and chassis,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The serial number:<\/span><\/strong> six Arabic numerals, left at owner\u2018s or operator\u2018s option,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The check digit:<\/span><\/strong> one Arabic numeral providing a means of validating the recording and transmission accuracies of the owner code and serial number.(1)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Size and Type Code:<\/strong><\/span> Each container has a standard size and type code assigned by BIC institution. Some examples are given below:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6355\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-size-and-type.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"361\" height=\"148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-size-and-type.png 361w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-size-and-type-300x123.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>45G1: 40&#8242; High Cube Dry Container<\/li>\n<li>22G1: 20&#8242; Dry Container<\/li>\n<li>42G1: 40&#8242; Dry Container<\/li>\n<li>22R1: 20&#8242; Reefer Container<\/li>\n<li>42R1: 40&#8242; Reefer Container<\/li>\n<li>45R1: 40&#8242; Reefer High Cube Container<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Maximum Gross Weight:<\/strong><\/span> This is the maximum weight that the container can carry including tare weight.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Tare Weight:<\/span><\/strong> Tare weight is the weight of empty container.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Maximum Payload:<\/span><\/strong> Maximum amount of weight that the container can carry. This is a calculation based information. Most of the containers can not be loaded to the maximum payload because of the transportation weight limitations. Exporters must consult with their freight forwarders before shipment.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Capacity:<\/span><\/strong> Volume capacity of the container.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Height Warning:<\/span><\/strong> Is another compulsory transportation safety information.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Manufacturer&#8217;s Logo:<\/span><\/strong> Shows the manufacturer of the container.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Owner&#8217;s Logo:<\/span><\/strong> Shows the owner of the container.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Repair Recommendation:<\/span><\/strong> A container has to be operated either under an ACEP or a PES (Periodic Examination Scheme) from day 1. The first inspections isn\u2019t required until 5 years, but it must have a scheme in place in order to be operated. Without a valid ACEP sticker or Next Examination Date (under the PES), the container should not be loaded on board a ship.(2)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #339966;\">Side, Top and Front End Markings:<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>On side, top and fronts ends containers carry only <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Container Identification Number<\/strong><\/span> and <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Size and Type Code<\/span><\/strong> markings.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6356\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6356\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6356 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-side.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-side.png 790w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-side-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-side-768x334.png 768w, https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/container-markings-side-696x303.png 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6356\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: https:\/\/www.bic-code.org\/identification-number\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bic-code.org\/identification-number\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Container Identification Number<\/a>, Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/container-xchange.com\/blog\/container-markings-what-do-they-mean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Container Markings \u2013 What do they really mean?<\/a>, xChange Solutions GmbH<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Containers are the main Cargo Transport Units (CTU) in international transportation. They increase efficiency and decrease costs in all stages of the transportation. Containers used in international transportation must carry standard markings in order to: easy container and cargo tracking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[538,258],"tags":[140,539],"class_list":["post-6344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-containers","category-logistics","tag-container-number","tag-containers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6344"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6344\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.letterofcredit.biz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}