What is does "As Is" condition mean?
What sizes of containers are available?
Can I get a container with doors on both ends?
What steps are involved when buying a container?
What processes are involved in moving equipment into the USA from China?
How long will it take my container(s) to come in from China?
Can I pay with my credit card?
What is a Letter of Assignment?
Why don't I have a title for my chassis?
Why do I have to report deliveries?
"Delivery Notification" Does this imply I will receive my units soon?
What happens if I receive a unit with major damages?
Why don't the unit numbers I received match my release/invoice?
Can I order units?
When can I have my release?
What is the difference between using a container for storage and using one for shipping?
Where can I find interior/exterior dimensions on my box?
What is a Sea Link Card and why do I need it?
What is a SCAC Code and why do I need it?
Why do I have to neutralized/de-identify my boxes after purchase?
Where can I get a container painted my color?
What is does "As Is" condition mean?
As-is condition refers to units that have not been specifically inspected before sale. As units are put up for sale, all major damage or Scrap units are weeded out of the flow and the rest of the units are listed in AS-IS condition. Most of the units are wind and water tight but some of the units can have light damages. They are all sold first out of stack.
What sizes of containers are available?
We carry a full range of containers to fit all your needs. We carry in stock the below units used units:
20' and 40' standard 8'6" tall units
40' , 45' Hi-Cube 9'6" tall units
Both aluminum and steel units
Speciality equipment such as Open Tops, Flat racks, Platforms
40' refrigerated containers
Container-it can also build new units to fit all your needs, and stock 20' and 40' new units.
Can I get a container with doors on both ends?
Containers with doors on both ends are referred to as double doors or "tunnel tainers". Container-it can build new double door 20's or 40's in our factory in China. Container-it developed and released a door set kit in September, 2006. Using our door set, you can turn a standard container into a double door unit with one man in as little as 5 hours. Please view our video on our website and let us know if you have any questions.
What steps are involved when buying a container?
1. Fill out the Container-it new customer packet (this is a one time process)
2. Upon agreeing to purchase, you will be emailed an invoice.
3. Payment of invoice and receipt of funds by Container-it
4. Upon our receipt of funds, we send release reference to you as well as depot/terminal. You can provide you're trucking company with this documentation and after giving the depot/terminal 24 hour notice, your truck will be able to pick container(s) up.
How long will it take my container(s) to come in from China?
Typically, ordering containers directly from China can take anywhere from 60-90 days from production date to delivery at customer location.
What processes are involved in moving equipment into the USA from China?
Once Container-it places the order with the factory and the units come off the production line, a contract is entered into between Container-it and the steamship line. Container-it works with many steamship lines to ensure timely delivery of your new units. After contracts are negotiated with the steamship lines, the line then finds the cargo to fill the unit. The time it takes to find freight, depends on the freight availability for the final destination. The steamship line will then update Container-it with an ETA and a vessel load listing. The units are on the water for about 11+ days. When the units arrive in the States, the steamship line then releases the new units to the consignee. The consignee is the company for whom the freight is destined for. Once the consignee strips the units of the cargo, the truckers will contact Container-it for a drop off location. Typical time for the unit to be stripped is approximately 2 weeks.
Can I pay with my credit card?
We accept Credit Cards Along with Wire Transfer, ACH, Money Order, or company check. Contact your sales representative with any questions you may have regarding payment.
What is a Letter of Assignment?
A Letter of Assignment or LOA is received after an order is completed. The LOA is used only in areas where units are sold first out of the stack. For example, if you place an order for 20x40' units off the top of the stack, the unit numbers will not be known at the time of the order. Instead, you will have a "blanket" Release Reference. Upon receipt of all 20 units, Container-it will confirm with the terminal or yard which unit numbers were received and apply the specific unit numbers to your release. You will then receive a Letter of Assignment indicating the units received. This is for your records.
"Delivery Notification" Does this imply I will receive my units soon?
The Delivery Notification serves as notification that your new units have been designated for delivery to your location. Some steamship lines like to have a point of redelivery before the units even leave China. Others simply contact Container-it when the units are stripped of cargo. The notification is a rule of thumb that lets you know the unit numbers you should, but not necessarily will, receive in the near future (typically 1-4 weeks).
Why don't I have a title for my chassis?
All chassis titles are held in the Maersk Inc. Charlotte headquarters. Titles are sent via overnight mail within two weeks of receipt of funds. In some cases, Maersk may have to order a new title for a chassis, in which case it may take longer than two weeks to receive.
For chassis older than 15 years, a title may not be available. Any chassis that does not come with a title will however come with a registration. The registration along with the invoice (bill of sale) is enough to re-title in most states. Check with our local Department of Motor Vehicles to see what is required in your state.
Why do I have to report deliveries?
This is a very important requirement for direct delivery of containers. Container-it can save you time and money by direct delivering to your preferred site, but we need you to report the received units within 24-48 hours of receiving them. You must also keep a trucker signed report of the receipt of the unit for proof of delivery. We need to release the shipping line of their responsibility for the units in a timely fashion or they may not move units for us in the future. In the world of shipping it is the receiving locations responsibility to notify the shipper when the unit is received. Another reason for quick and timely reporting is if the units come in damaged beyond normal acceptable standards, we may lose any or all compensation rights for damage repairs if not reported within 72 hours with a written estimate. If we cannot advise the shipping line of damages we cannot offer any discount or repair compensation to you the customer.
What happens if I receive a unit with major damages?
Upon receipt of a new one trip unit with damages, immediately contact Container-it. Document all damages via photos and repair estimate and send to Container-it with-in 48 hrs of receipt of damaged container. We will then contact the steamship who brought the unit in. A surveyor will then be sent to the customer's location to inspect the container. Container-it will then negotiate an acceptable amount for discount after the claim is settled with the steamship line.
If you receive a used container with major damages, immediately contact Container-it. Provide pictures and a written estimate of damages. Container-it will work with you to resolve and issues concerning excessive damages and were unknown to Container-it and the customer at the time of sale.
In all cases, pictures and written estimates are required.
Why don't the unit numbers I received match my release/invoice?
If you have received a unit number that is not on your release, please contact us immediately. If your driver is still on the terminal/depot facility, we can swap the unit out immediately. If the unit has been delivered to you, we will then determine if the unit is in sales status (available to be sold) or if the unit will need to be returned. The sooner we are alerted to the discrepancy, the sooner we can rectify it.
Can I order units?
Yes, you can place an order with Container-it for new or one time used containers. We use a professional purchasing department and factory inspectors to ensure the best quality at the best prices. We are always building new units so we may already have some units on the way to your area.
Contact your local sales rep for more detailed information.
When can I have my release?
A release is generated for our customers once payment has been received for the corresponding invoice.
What is the difference between using a container for storage and using one for shipping?
Any container can be a ground storage container. As a container buyer you are responsible for removing all steamship line decals and markings from the box. We refer to this a de-identification or neutralization. This can be as simple as painting them over and it legally required in the purchase documents.
Where can I find interior/exterior dimensions on my box?
A container that is going to be shipped internationally must meet several requirements. The container must be surveyed by a certified marine surveyor to ensure that the integrity of the unit is structurally sound. The unit must have a current CSC Plate (Container Safety Convention) if the unit is 5 years or newer or a valid ACEP sticker (Approved Continuous Examination Program) if it is 5 or more years old. If a unit does not have these, it will be rejected for loading on the terminal. Also, all steamship line decals and markings must be removed from the box. We refer to this a de-identification or neutralization. We can provide both inspection service and de-identify or neutralize the unit prior to pick up at a terminal or depot facility and the cost will be incorporated into the price of the container.
What is a Sea Link Card and why do I need it?
The Sea Link Card was created to facilitate the tracking of trucking companies and boxes moving in and out of the Port. A Sea Link Card is required by each driver for each company who will be picking up from the Port of Newark, NJ. Click on this link for application and fees. www.panynj.gov/DoingBusinessWith/seaport. All trucking companies must have the proper insurance and a Sea Link Card for entry. After review of the link, please contact your Container-it rep if more details are needed.
What is a SCAC Code and why do I need it?
A Standard Carrier Alpha Code is a unique two to four letter code use to identify transportation companies and was created to facilitate the computerization of the transportation industry. It is also used to verify that trucking companies have the proper insurance to enter the terminal. Once a company is set up in the terminal system with the appropriate SCAC code, the trucking company is registered. This will cut out any unnecessary wait time incurred when a transportation company does not have the proper identification set up prior to entry at the terminal.
Why do I have to neutralized/de-identify my boxes after purchase?
All steamship line decals and markings must be removed from the box. We refer to this a de-identification or neutralization.
As part of our terms and conditions, the requirement to neutralize the containers is legally required because that container is no longer part of the shipping line/leasing company fleet.
This will prevent any future confusion about who owns this box. Unlike chassis, which have titles/registration to prove ownership, containers have prefixes and numbers along with logos. Units that are not neutralized can be viewed as breach of contract and repossessed.
Where can I get a container painted my color?
Container-it has over 250 locations nationwide. We can have a container painted your color at one of our depot facilities across the country. Just let us know what color you would like and we will get a competitive rate.