Neutralised Shipping Containers
What is a neutralised shipping container?
A neutralised shipping container has had its previous owner’s container prefix and ownership markings removed from the container number.
To explain in more detail, the container number or container ID is normally made up from 4 letters ending in a ‘U’ and then 7 numbers. (the 7th number is a check digit and may appear after a ‘/’ or in its own separate box. The container number will appear in the top right hand corner of every side panel on the shipping container as well as the roof.
Ordinarily the 4 letter prefix for the container denotes the original fleet owner or container operator for a fleet of containers. A fleet owner will register their prefix with the ‘Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal‘. Once registered of no one else can use that prefix to identify any other owner. For example a container with an ‘MSKU’ prefix belongs tot he shipping line called ‘Maersk’. A container with an ‘HLXU’ prefix belongs to the shipping line ‘Hapag Lloyd’
In the case of one of our customers buying a used shipping container for export use, we obviously buy a large proportion of these containers in from the major fleet owners. (The big shipping lines and leasing companies that own most of the containers in circulation). Some of these companies insist as a condition of sale that we neutralise their containers before selling them on, Some of our suppliers do not.
As we work in a highly competitive industry we wont’ lump ÂŁ50 of additional costs onto your container unless necessary, for that reason we ask our customers to tell us what they want or need. With either option you will be supplied with a CSC plated shipping container that meets all repair standards and checks required for export use, this is essentially an extra service that we will charge for if we have no ready neutralised containers in stock. Some customers will want or need a neutralised containers, other customers will insist is it not neutralised. The reasons for these differing requests will often be down the the location these are being shipped to, and to be blunt we as your container supplier are not an expert in the geopolitical situations in every region of the world so we are not qualified to comment on what you might need for your trip.
A neutralised shipping container has the 4 letter prefix on the container number is removed or painted over. Any previous owners markings on the CSC plate are ground off or otherwise removed. Any branding or logos belonging to the previous owner are often painted over.
A neutralised container may have a different prefix re-instated onto the container. This can help things along during a shipment as some port systems and shipping lines systems can’t cope if the container doesn’t have a prefix. the industry often uses an XXXX prefix or a SOCU prefix (short for ‘shippers owned container’ to show that this container is a shippers owned container. Strictly speaking though a prefix or no prefix should not affect the capacity to ship a container and we have seen some people try ‘home made’ prefixes for export shipment, although we do not recommend this as it may cause unnecessary aggravation with your shipment.
One very important note we can suggest from our experience to date. If the container has no prefix, under no circumstances should anyone add a prefix because someone asks for a prefix to be added. Your paperwork should always accurately reflect exact what is on the container. We will commonly see a port agent or someone along the chain add XXXX or similar to a neutralised container number on his or her paperwork, this can cause a nightmare at the port gates when the truck turns up. If the paperwork says the container has a XXXX prefix, and there is no XXXX on the container, then the port won’t let it in, and your haulier will start charging hourly detention charges until resolved. this can get very expensive if the haulier decides to deliver the container onto the docks outside of standard office hours.
Why might I want my container neutralised
Having your container neutralised in in theory the correct and popper procedure, however in our experience this will cost you a little extra and will likely not affect your shipment in any way shape or form.
Most customers who are buying a shippers owned container for export use plan to use it only once. It will take your goods to destination at which point you might lift it off at your destination and use it to store the goods that you’ve shipped over. In this classic setup and in our limited experience having your container neutralised or not neutralised won’t make the slightest difference.
The major complications we have come across generally occur when empty containers are returned to a depot or dock. if the container has not been neutralised it may be mistaken for a container that isn’t yours, but it still owned and run by the previous owners. There’s a very good chance this previous owner has lots of containers in pretty much every dock. A lot of the time they just have a big pile of empty containers belonging to this shipping line, and these empty containers are loaded up onto vessels en masse and often shipped out to the far east or somewhere else in the world.
By the time this problem is found, your container may well be somewhere else in the world entirely. If your very unlucky it might be loaded with freight and being used for someone else’s export shipment. This is not a scare story, we have seen this happen and we are confident it will happen again in future.
Usually mistakes are corrected but it can take months to return a container in this sort of situation. fortunately very few shippers owned containers travel empty so this is in our mind only a risk in a number of specialised cases.
Why might I want to ensure my container is NOT neutralised
Ensuring a container is not neutralised is a common request for specific destinations. Most notably we had recent requests for non-neutralised containers for exports into Russia.
The reasons for this will differ but in our experience the explanations are often down to some form of corruption or similar at destination or on its way through to destination.
If your container might look like its a single person shipping is his or her goods around the world, it might in some cases be a lot more prone to a dodgy customs official or port worker taking an interest than just one of the 400 identical containers he or she will have through from XYZ shipping line that day. It might also be more likiley to container goods ‘of interest’ to a would be thief. If he’s gong to ask for abribe in return for not hol;ding up the container in customs for weeks, They have more leverage with a one off shipper with all his/her worldly possessions in this shipping container, or a massive multinational business that said dodgy officials job may rely upon?
We honestly don’t know exactly why this is but we could take a few guesses so our suggestion above is little more than conjecture. There are always rumours and we wouldn’t feel right publishing hearsay on our website but we are aware that different shippers for different destinations have different requirements. If you’re unsure about your route we recommend its worth doing what checks you can. Problems may delay a container and incur additional port charges (which can be very expensive)
This is why we ask you to tell us what you need, as you (or your freight forwarder) should hopefully be the experts in where you are sending these goods and what you need to do to get your goods to destination safely. This is another good reason why we recommend to have a good freight forwarder helping you if your are managing your first shipment abroad.
Beginners Advice
If your shipping your first container and your not sure where to go with this we sugegst the following
- Speak to your freight forwarder and ask them if they have any advice for your specific route.
- Speak to a port agent at or based near to the destination port of shipment and ask them the same. They may be able to offer specific local info that your UK freight forwarder isn’t aware of.
- Take extra care if shipping to Russia, Zimbabwe, any war zone or area or regional instability or if your route crosses any borders that might be in dispute or not friendly.
Even if your freight forwarder is covering all the customs documentation and proving a full door to door service, speaking to any customs agent at your destination port of shipment can be a good idea and a good resource for local logistics contacts if needed. As a general rule of thumb, someone sitting in an office in the UK will likely have much less knowledge on the local situation at destination than someone working in the industry at your destination.
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).