Container identification
Have you ever wondered what all those numbers and codes on containers are for? They serve as the container’s identification, like an individual „identity card“.
This numbering is mandatory (not personal) and was designed in 1969 by BIC (Bureau International des Containers) and subsequently standardized from 1972 by ISO (International Organization for Standardization).
These container identification codes are called „BIC Codes / BIC-Code Register“ or „ISO Alpha-Codes / ISO Alpha-codes“ and are used to mark containers in all shipping documents and in the import declaration (CMR).
1 – 11 ALPHANUMERIC CHARACTERS
11 alphanumeric characters on each container indicate:
Owner Code: Composed of four letters of the alphabet, where the first three are „HZK“ referring to the ISO registration code of the container owner (HZKontejnery) and the last will always be the letter „U“, indicating „unit“.
Serial Number: Consists of six Roman digits, which indicate the container number in relation to the container registration. Of course, there are cases where the owner does not reach all digits. In these cases, all remaining positions must be filled with 0 (zero).
Check Digit: Formed by a mathematical sum operation, where the letter values and serial number values are combined, creating a unique and distinct number for each container, thus preventing errors.
2- CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION MARKS
Below are the additional 4 marks, which can be either numbers or alphanumeric characters, identifying the specific dimensions and type of the container.
The first digit represents length:
2 – up to 20′ feet container
4 – up to 40′ feet container
The second digit indicates the container height:
0 – up to 8′ feet
1 – up to 4′ feet
2 – up to 8′ 6″ feet
5 – up to 9′ 6″ feet
9 – up to 1′ 1⁄4″ or 2′ feet
For reference, the conversion factor from feet to meters is as follows:
8′ x factor 0.3048 = container height in meters: 2.438 m
The third digit specifies the container category:
0 – closed
1 – closed, ventilated
2 – Insulated and thermally insulated
3 – refrigerated
4 – refrigerated container with removable equipment
5 – Container with an open roof
6 – Platform
7 – Tank, tank container
8 – Container for bulk materials and livestock
9 – ventilated
Or we also have a fourth digit together:
GP, GO, G1 – General Purpose (general use)
VH, V2, V3 – Universal ventilated BU, B0 – Bulk (bulk carrier)
UT, U1 – open roof, solid roof (without roof)
UP, U6 – solid roof (steel, with wooden floor)
PL, P0 – Platform (platform)
PF, P1, PC, P8 – Flat (without walls)
RT, R1, RC, R9, RS, R3 – Refrigerated
HR, H0 – Insulated
TN, T0 – Tank
3 – COUNTRY CODE
Before these 4 previous marks there may (but not necessarily and often are not) be two or three letters that code the nationality of this container.
For example: US for United States or CZ for Czech Republic.
Note: This identification is used worldwide by more than 2000 owners or operators. A copy of the BIC code register is published annually in all countries. Its members, terminals, customs authorities, and other international organizations have it available for review on the BIC website.
4 – CSC CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION PLATE
According to the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), signed in Geneva on December 2, 1972, a permanently affixed rectangular plate, resistant to corrosion and fire, measuring at least 200×100 mm is still required.
It must contain the following information in English or French, engraved, stamped, or permanently legible:
CSC label is „CSC Safety Approval“, with characters at least 8 mm high.
All other characters and/or numbers must be at least 5 mm high, in the following order:
1) Country and approval reference
2) Date (month/year) of manufacture;
3) Container manufacturer’s identification number or assigned number
4) Maximum gross weight (kg and lb)
5) Permissible stacking load up to 1.8 g (kg and lb)
6) Test load value (kg lb)
7) Empty space for including additional values, such as: side wall strength, inspection, maintenance, etc.
CHANGES
Any changes related to the owner or the company that owns the container require a change in its code. The procedure will be the same as when it was obtained.
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