The Must-have For Foreign Traders: A Comprehensive Collection Of Knowledge About Shipping Containers

1. What do large container, small container, and double back refer to?

(1) Large containers generally refer to 40-foot containers, usually 40GP and 40HQ. 45-foot containers are usually considered special containers.

(2) Small containers generally refer to 20-foot containers, usually 20GP.

(3) Double back refers to two 20-foot small containers. For example, a trailer pulls two 20-foot small containers at the same time; when the port lifts, two 20-foot containers are lifted onto the ship at a time.

2. What does LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) refer to?

(1) LCL refers to multiple shippers' goods in one container, small batches of goods that do not fill up a whole container are LCL goods, operated as LCL-LCL.

(2) FCL refers to only one shipper or manufacturer's goods in a container, large batches of goods that can fill up one or more whole containers are FCL goods, operated as FCL-FCL.

3. What are the common specifications for containers?

(1) 40HC (40ft High Cube Container): 40ft long, 9ft 6in high; about 12.192m long, 2.9m high, 2.35m wide, normally loads about 68CBM.

(2) 40GP (40ft Standard Container): 40ft long, 8ft 6in high; about 12.192m long, 2.6m high, 2.35m wide, normally loads about 58CBM.

(3) 20GP (20ft Standard Container): 20ft long, 8ft 6in high; about 6.096m long, 2.6m high, 2.35m wide, normally loads about 28CBM.

(4) 45HC (45ft High Cube Container): 45ft long, 9ft 6in high; about 13.716m long, 2.9m high, 2.35m wide, normally loads about 75CBM.

4. What is the difference between a high cube and a standard container?

The high cube container is 1 foot (30.44cm) higher than the standard container. Whether it is a high cube or a standard container, the length and width are the same.

5. What does container tare weight and heavy container refer to?

(1) Container tare weight: The weight of the container itself. 20GP tare is about 1.7 tons, 40GP tare is about 3.4 tons.

(2) Heavy container: Refers to the container after it is loaded with cargo, as opposed to empty container.

6. What does empty container refer to?

A container without cargo loaded is called an empty container. In South China, especially Guangdong and Hong Kong, empty containers are often called lucky containers, because "empty" and "ominous" sound the same in Cantonese. So in South China they are called lucky containers instead of empty ones. "Carry lucky and return heavy" means picking up empty containers, taking them to load cargo, then returning loaded heavy containers.

7. What do carrying heavy and dropping heavy refer to?

(1) Carrying heavy: Refers to carrying loaded import containers from container yard to shipper's factory or warehouse for unloading.

(2) Dropping heavy: Refers to dropping loaded export containers back to container yard after loading finish at shipper's factory or warehouse.

8. What do carrying empty and dropping empty refer to?

(1) Carrying empty: Refers to carrying empty containers from container yard to shipper's factory or warehouse for loading export cargo.

(2) Dropping empty: Refers to dropping empty containers back to container yard after unloading import cargo at shipper's factory or designated place.

9. What does container type code DC stand for?

DC refers to dry container, containers like 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ are dry containers.

10. What does container type code OT stand for?

OT, short for Open Top, refers to open top containers, containers without top but only an awning cover on top.

11. What does semi-open door refer to?

It refers to containers with semi side open doors.

12. What does B/L number refer to?

It usually refers to the number on the dock receipt/Mate's Receipt provided by the shipping line or freight forwarder. It is usually the Master B/L or House B/L number. Containers are usually released based on vessel name/voyage number and B/L number.

13. What does container number refer to?

It refers to the unique identification number marked on the container, consisting of 4 letters and 7 numbers. The first 3 letters stand for the owner code, the 4th letter is always "U", next 6 numbers are serial numbers, and the last digit is a check number. Driver needs to provide container number when pick up export empties or laden import containers. It is needed in customs declaration, billing and warehouse receipt etc.

14. What does container seal number refer to?

It refers to the number marked on lead seal used to lock the container doors. Containers seals are usually provided by shipping lines with charge about RMB 50 each.

15. What does export cargo refer to?

Refers to carrying empty containers from CY to shipper's factory or warehouse for export stuffing, then arrange customs clearance and documentation for export.

16. What does import cargo refer to?

Refers to carrying loaded import containers from CY to shipper's factory or designated place for unloading cargoes after customs clearance.

17. What does empty running refer to?

Refers to cases when trucks go to shipper's factory/warehouse for loading cargoes but have to run empty back to CY eventually due to various reasons.

18. What does rehandling refer to?

Refers to carrying boxes from one container yard to another, or extracting containers buried underneath by moving top containers when handling containers at CY not in sequence from top to bottom. It typically happens when handling containers of a specific number or under customs inspection.

19. What does container yard (CY) refer to?

It usually refers to the place to stack and manage containers near the ports and terminals. Trucks usually go there to pick up containers. There is a document called "Container Yard Receipt" for truckers and CY's handover of containers.

20. What kind of information is usually included in B/L?

B/L information usually includes B/L number, vessel/voyage number, weight, cargo description, package quantity, gross weight, volume, number of containers, shipper info and signatures etc.

21. What aspects should be paid attention to when dispatching trucks?

Clarify with truck drivers on export or import, container types and quantity, cargo weight, place, CY, whether forwarder agreement is needed, time to arrive, any special requirements on containers etc..

22. What issues should be noticed when preparing truck orders?

Write the truck order as complete and clear as possible, since some drivers do not recognize English letters at all. Vessel/voyage number, B/L number, CY, time to arrive, consignee address, contacts, special requirements on containers and consignees etc. must be written clearly. If there is invoice payable under consignee's name, be sure to indicate clearly to avoid drivers making invoice to wrong payee.

Any specific instructions must be marked on the order to avoid further charges due to confusion.

23. What does Container Gate Pass refer to?

For export pick up, drivers need to apply for a set of „Container Gate Pass" first, then handling containers at CY with this gate pass for pick up, exit, entry, return containers.

24. What time is the latest for export pick up at CY?

Usually 10am is the deadline. But places handling container gate passes usually close at around 9am. So for import trucks, they should rush back before 8am, as they need to return containers first.

25. What do overweight and over volume refer to?

(1) Overweight: In general, it refers to the cargo weight loaded exceeding the vehicle's weight limit.

(2) Over volume: It usually refers to cargo loaded exceeding container's volume or weight limit.

26. What do loading and unloading refer to?

(1) Loading: Refers to carrying empty containers to shipper's warehouse for loading cargoes.

(2) Unloading: Refers to carrying loaded containers to consignee's warehouse for unloading cargoes.

27. What does laden to laden refer to?

It means carrying import cargoes, then loaded with export cargoes for the return, no empty running.

28. What does axle weight payment refer to?

It refers to the highway toll charges based on vehicle cargo weight and volume at toll stations.

29. What does damage fee refer to?

It refers to the fee charged for damages found on containers after unloading import cargoes.

30. What does container washing fee refer to?

It refers to the fee charged for washing dirty containers found not clean.