Yes, you can absolutely inspect a shipping container before you buy it, and at ABC Containers, we actively encourage it for any sale where the buyer wants peace of mind on condition. You either visit our Bibra Lake yard and walk the container in person, or we send you a full set of current photos taken from inside and out. Most buyers who get burned on a used container skipped this step, and the reason is simple: a quote with a low price and no inspection process behind it usually hides something you’ll find out about the first time it rains. If you’ve ever had a delivery turn up with hidden rust, dodgy door seals, or a floor that wouldn’t pass a mine site inspection, you already know why this matters.
Why Inspecting A Shipping Container Matters Before You Buy
A shipping container is a serious bit of kit. New build prices currently sit around $5,500 for a 40ft high cube, and a good used 20ft runs between $3,200 and $3,900 in the Perth market. Whether you’re buying one for general storage, a workshop, a site office base, or long-term storage on a remote site, the unit needs to be wind and watertight on day one. Containers that have done years of sea travel cop a hard life. They get loaded, unloaded, stacked, dropped, scraped by forklifts, and exposed to salt water. Most are fine. Some are not. A proper inspection separates the two before you sign anything.
There are also compliance angles. If your container is heading to a mine site or being used to transport cargo, it needs a valid CSC plate and structural integrity to meet the international standard. Used containers pulled out of shipping lines come with history, and not all of it is good. You want to see what you’re buying.
What Buyers Assume vs What A Shipping Container Inspection Actually Shows
The Two Ways To Inspect A Container In WA: Depot Visit Or Photos
There are really only two practical ways to inspect a used container before purchase, and both are standard practice across the industry.
- Visit the yard in person. Call ahead, book a time, and walk through the units we have available. You’ll see the container under natural light, open the doors, climb inside, and check the roof and undercarriage. Allow about 30 minutes per container.
- Request current photos. We send updated photos from the day, taken inside and out, including the data plate, door seals, floor, and any rust patches. Most regional and remote buyers use this option because driving in from the Wheatbelt or the Pilbara for a single 20ft GP container doesn’t stack up.
Both options give you the same information. The depot visit lets you eyeball it yourself. The photo option saves the trip when the location makes that impractical.
Yard visit at Bibra Lake
Best when you want to compare multiple units in person and walk the floor yourself.
- Allow 30 to 60 minutes
- See multiple sizes and grades side by side
- Ask questions on the spot
- Take your own photos for the boss or partner
Photos sent direct from the yard
Best when distance or scheduling makes a yard visit impractical. Standard for regional and FIFO buyers.
- Updated photos taken on the day, not stock images
- Inside and outside, plus data plate
- Door seals, floor, and any rust patches
- Sent by email so you can forward to your team
What To Check On The Exterior: Dents, Rust, Corner Damage, and The Roof
Start with a slow walk around the outside. You’re looking for:
- Dents that distort the panels. Surface dings are normal. Deep dents that push the wall in are a structural concern.
- Rust. Surface rust on the exterior is expected on any used unit. Deep corrosion that’s eaten through the steel is a walk away.
- Corner castings. These are the lifting points. They need to be intact, square, and free of cracks. Damaged castings mean the container can’t be lifted safely by crane or HIAB.
- The roof. Climb up if it’s safe, or use a ladder. Roof rust pools where water sits. Any soft spots or visible pinholes mean leaks.
- Paint condition. Chipped paint is normal. Large patches of bare steel will rust quickly in WA conditions, especially coastal sites.
Don’t worry about cosmetic scuffs, scrapes, or faded decals. You’re checking structural condition, not paintwork.
Door Seals, Locking Gear, and How To Spot A Future Leak
Doors are where most leaks start. Open both doors fully. They should swing easily without binding or scraping. Close them and check the rubber seals all the way around. Cracked, hard, or missing rubber means water and dust get in. Test the locking bars and cam handles. They should engage tightly and lock down without needing a hammer.
With the doors closed, step inside with someone outside who can let you back out. Look for any pinholes of daylight around the door frame and along the roof line. Light coming through means water will come through, too.
Floor Condition, Smells, and Signs Of Past Chemical Or Pest Damage
The floor tells you a lot about the container’s past life. Marine plywood floors are standard. Walk the whole length. Check for soft spots, splits, holes, deep gouges, or sections that have been patched. A bit of staining is fine. Heavy oil stains, chemical burn marks, or strong smells of fuel or solvent are red flags – that container has carried something nasty, and you don’t want it for food, dry goods, or anything sensitive.
Smell test the inside. A faint metallic or musty smell is normal on an empty container. Strong mould smell means moisture has been sitting in there, and that points to a leak somewhere. Pest droppings, chewed timber, or nesting material are signs you’ll be dealing with critters as soon as you load up.
Floor And Interior Quick Audit
Walk the full length with a torch. Tick each item as you go. Three or more left unticked and you should be asking questions or asking for a different unit.
If the container is for food, dry goods, or anything sensitive, every item above needs a tick. No exceptions.
Reading The CSC Plate and What It Actually Tells You
The CSC plate (sometimes called the safety convention plate or data plate) is bolted to one of the doors. It carries the container’s certification under the International Convention for the Safety of Containers. The plate shows the date of manufacture, owner code, maximum gross weight, and the date of its last CSC inspection. CSC inspections are required for any container moving in international transit, and a valid plate confirms the unit was structurally sound at its last check.
For storage use on your own site, an out-of-date CSC isn’t a deal breaker. For transport, rail, or shipping line use, a current certification matters. If you’re not sure, ask us, and we’ll talk you through what the plate on your container actually says.
Standards That Sit Behind A Shipping Container Inspection
These are the reference points the industry actually uses. If a seller can’t name any of them, that tells you something.
A Grade, B Grade, or As Is: Container Grading Explained
We grade our used stock so you know what you’re getting before delivery.
| Grade | Condition |
|---|---|
| A Grade | Wind and watertight, minimal rust, doors operate cleanly, good for site offices and presentations. |
| B Grade | Wind and watertight, more cosmetic wear, suited to general storage and worksite use. |
| As Is | Sold in current condition, may need repair, priced accordingly, suited to budget storage. |
How Much Inspection Detail Each Grade Needs
The lower the grade, the more time you should spend on the floor, doors, and roof before signing.
The takeaway: every grade is sellable. The question is how much time you spend on the inspection, not whether you do one.
Bring This Kit When You Inspect: Torch, Tape Measure, and A Sharp Eye
A few simple tools make the inspection process easier:
- A decent torch for dark corners and the undercarriage
- A tape measure to confirm internal dimensions match what you’ve been quoted
- A small magnet (real steel attracts, heavy filler doesn’t)
- A notebook or your phone to photograph anything you want us to address
Buying On Price Alone vs Buying After A Proper Inspection
Inspecting At Our Bibra Lake Yard: What To Expect On The Day
We’re at 7 Timberyard Way, Bibra Lake. Call us on (08) 9418 8001 to book your inspection so we have the team ready and the containers accessible. You’ll be walked through our yard by someone who knows the stock, with access to multiple units in your size and grade. Allow an hour if you’re comparing several. We’re open standard business hours Monday to Friday.
Shipping Container Inspection Across Perth: Suburbs We Service
Our Bibra Lake yard is the inspection point, and we deliver across the Perth metro and regional WA. If your suburb is not listed, give us a call. We almost certainly service it.
Buying Sight Unseen From A Remote Site In Regional WA
Not everyone can get to Bibra Lake. If you’re up in the Pilbara, out on a Goldfields lease, or working the Wheatbelt, we send you current photos by email. Tell us what you need the container for, and we’ll send units that match. We also back every sale with our satisfaction guarantee – if the container doesn’t match what we showed you, we cover the transport on the swap. That’s the deal.
Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away From A Deal
- Seller refuses to send photos or refuses an inspection
- Price well below market for the grade quoted
- No data plate or a clearly altered plate
- Daylight is visible through the body with doors closed
- Strong chemical smell that won’t air out
- Heavily patched floor or visible holes in the roof
Booking Your Inspection With ABC Containers
Our 3 Step Inspection Process
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Get in touch: Call (08) 9418 8001 or send an email with what you need the container for. | Choose inspection method: Book a yard visit at Bibra Lake or request current photos. | Confirm and deliver: Approve the unit, lock in the price including delivery, and we’ll book transport. |
Ready to inspect a container? Give us a call on (08) 9418 8001, send an email, or drop into 7 Timberyard Way, Bibra Lake. No pushy sales, no hidden fees, and the price you see is the price you pay. That’s how we’ve run ABC Containers for over 25 years.
Book Your Shipping Container Inspection Today
Walk our Bibra Lake yard or get current photos sent the same day. Free quote, satisfaction guarantee on every unit, no pushy sales.
Shipping Container Inspection: Common Questions
How long does a shipping container inspection take at your yard?
About 30 minutes per container if you know what size and grade you’re after. Allow an hour if you want to compare a few units side by side. Book ahead on (08) 9418 8001 so we have the right stock pulled out and accessible.
Do I have to pay for the inspection?
No. Yard inspections are free, and there’s no obligation to buy. We’d rather you walked through and asked questions than committed to a container you weren’t sure about.
What if I can’t get to Bibra Lake to inspect?
We send current photos taken the day you ask, inside and out, including the data plate, door seals, and floor. Most buyers from the Pilbara, Goldfields, and Wheatbelt use this option. If the container doesn’t match what you saw in the photos, we cover the transport on the swap.
What’s the difference between A Grade and B Grade in a shipping container inspection?
Both A Grade and B Grade are wind and watertight. A Grade has minimal rust and clean doors, which makes it suitable for site offices or anything customer-facing. B Grade has more cosmetic wear like dents, fading, or surface rust, and is the standard pick for general storage and worksite use.
Does the CSC plate matter if I’m just using the container for storage?
Not really. The CSC plate is a transport requirement. If the container is staying on your site, an out-of-date plate isn’t a problem. If you plan to move it interstate by rail, ship it overseas, or use it on a shipping line route, you need a current CSC.
How much does a used 20ft container cost in Perth?
A good used 20ft general purpose container in the Perth market sits between $3,200 and $3,900 depending on grade and stock at the time. A new 40ft high cube is around $5,500. Prices include local delivery for most metro suburbs. Call (08) 9418 8001 for a current quote on the size and grade you need.
Can I bring someone with me to help inspect the container?
Absolutely. Plenty of buyers bring a builder, fabricator, or mate who’s bought containers before. You’re welcome to take photos, bring a torch, a tape measure, or a magnet to check for filler. We’re happy to talk anyone through what they’re looking at.
What happens after I pick the container I want?
We confirm the unit, lock in the all-in price including delivery, and book the transport. You get a delivery window, the truck driver calls before turning up, and the price you saw is the price you pay. No hidden site fees, no last-minute charges.
