What does a MULTI TRIP shipping container mean?
MULTI TRIP shipping container is a technical term in logistics that designates a used shipping container– i.e., a unit that has completed several transport cycles in international maritime, rail or road transport. Most often these are containers that have been in service for 8 to 15 years, often carrying thousands of tons of cargo and exposed to extreme conditions: humidity, salt, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and mechanical loading.
Multi Trip in practice is synonymous with “used container”, unlike One Trip (a new container that has made only a single journey from the factory to Europe/USA). This difference is crucial for the buyer – Multi Trip containers are significantly cheaper, but they bear the signs of long‑term use. Understanding these differences is key for both companies and individuals considering purchasing a container for storage, modification or construction.
Detailed characteristics of a MULTI TRIP container
Construction and materials
- Walls and frame: All shipping containers (including Multi Trip) are manufactured from highly resistant COR‑TEN steel (weathering steel), which has increased corrosion resistance due to the formation of a protective layer when oxidizing. This material ensures long life even in extreme conditions.
- Floor: Typically made of hard, water‑resistant plywood (usually 28 mm thick), sometimes tropical wood, with load capacity up to 25–30 t distributed load. The surface is often treated against fungi and pests, but after years of use shows wear (scratches, stains, possible repairs).
- Doors: Steel doors have a robust locking mechanism and are equipped with multi‑point locking. Seals are rubber to maintain watertightness. In older Multi Trip containers the seal may be partially worn, but must meet minimum functionality.
- Corner castings: Special steel reinforcements in the corners allow safe stacking and handling by crane or forklift.
- Ventilation openings: Containers are equipped with several ventilation openings to prevent condensation and mold.
Visual condition and aesthetics
- Dents, scratches: Standard are visible signs of mechanical wear – small and larger dents on walls, roof and doors.
- Surface corrosion: Even with COR‑TEN steel, surface corrosion is often only cosmetic and does not threaten structural integrity. Important is the absence of deep pitting.
- Faded logos: Original logos and markings of shipping companies are often faded during decommissioning, which can lead to inconsistent paint appearance.
- Colour variety: Colour corresponds to the original owner (blue, green, red, beige, grey). With Multi Trip containers a uniform appearance cannot be expected.
Structural condition and functionality
- Watertightness and wind resistance: Standard is the so‑called WWT (Wind and Watertight) – a guarantee that water or dust does not penetrate the container. Higher classes (CW, IICL) meet even stricter structural strength requirements.
- Security: Older Multi Trip containers may have simpler locking elements, newer ones often equipped with a lockbox (steel box protecting the lock from tampering).
- Floor: May show signs of repairs (board replacement, sealant or metal plates) but must be intact without holes.
- Doors and seals: Must close securely, lock, and seals must not be completely softened.
Comparison: MULTI TRIP vs. ONE TRIP container
| Property | MULTI TRIP (Used) | ONE TRIP (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 30–50 % lower than new | Highest on market |
| Appearance | Visible wear, dents, rust | Almost perfect, uniform colour, no defects |
| Service life | 10–20 years remaining with proper maintenance | 25–40 years (storage), 10–15 years (logistics) |
| Maintenance | Initial maintenance required (paint, sealing) | First few years minimal |
| Modification potential | Ideal for modifications, cut‑outs etc. | Suitable, but higher price |
| Ecology | Product recycling, lower carbon footprint | New production, higher energy |
| Warranty | Short or no warranty | Often 2–5 years on seal |
| Certification | Possible expired or short CSC | Valid CSC, full ISO compliance |
Classes and classification of used containers (Multi Trip)
Overview of main categories
- IICL (Institute of International Container Lessors): Highest standard for used containers, suitable also for further international transport. Minimal cosmetic defects, full structural integrity. High price, suitable for demanding projects or repeated transport.
- CW (Cargo Worthy): Guarantees structural suitability for transport, valid CSC plate. Minor cosmetic defects allowed, must not compromise strength or watertightness. Recommended for export, heavy cargo transport, and also for construction modifications.
- WWT (Wind and Watertight): Guarantees the container is free of holes, water and wind resistant. Does not guarantee structural suitability for transport, suitable for storage and construction.
- As‑Is (Jak stojí a leží): Sold without warranty, possible defects: holes, warped floor, non‑functional doors. Use at own risk, recommended for projects without watertight requirements (e.g., fence, recycling).
Certifications and standards
- CSC plate (Convention for Safe Containers): Mandatory for containers used in international transport, validity usually 5 years from the last inspection. Not required for static use (storage, construction), but its presence guarantees a good condition.
- ISO standards: All shipping containers meet strict international standards ISO 668 (dimensions), ISO 6346 (identification) and others.
Service life and maintenance of a MULTI TRIP container
Typical service life
- In maritime transport: 8–15 years, then decommissioned from service due to wear or regulatory changes.
- Static use (storage, construction): With regular maintenance 20–30 years, exceptionally more. A new container (One Trip) can last up to 40 years in storage.
Factors affecting service life
- Environment: Humidity, salt (e.g., proximity to sea), rapid temperature changes accelerate corrosion.
- Maintenance: Paint repairs, timely rust treatment, seal replacement, floor replacement, regular lock mechanism checks.
- Usage method: Static storage is less demanding than repeated transport.
Recommended maintenance
- Paints and corrosion protection: Regular repainting (ideally every 3–5 years) extends service life.
- Floor: Repair soft spots, impregnate against moisture.
- Seals: Replace when softened or leaking.
- Repairs: Weld punctured areas, replace damaged frame parts.
Technical specifications: Dimensions and variants
| Type | External length | External width | External height | Internal length | Internal width | Internal height | Volume (m³) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ Standard | 6.06 m | 2.44 m | 2.59 m | 5.90 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 33 | 2 200–2 300 |
| 40′ Standard | 12.19 m | 2.44 m | 2.59 m | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 67 | 3 700–3 900 |
| 40′ High Cube | 12.19 m | 2.44 m | 2.89 m | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.69 m | 76 | 4 000–4 200 |
Note: Other variants (open top, side open, reefer, specialized) are also available, but Multi Trip usually refers to standard types.
Uses of MULTI TRIP containers
Most common uses
- Storage: Secure storage of tools, materials, supplies, vehicles, construction equipment.
- Construction and modifications: Basis for container houses, cabins, offices, container homes, workshops, garages, garden sheds, pools, pop‑up shops, cafés.
- Industry: Mobile workshops, site offices, storage of hazardous materials (after modification).
- Agriculture: Storage of feed, harvest, equipment.
Typical modifications
- Creating windows, doors, ventilation.
- Insulation, electrical installation, HVAC.
- Welding, joining multiple containers.
- Installing container lockbox, security features.
- New paint according to customer request.
How to select and purchase a MULTI TRIP container
Steps and recommendations
- Determine purpose: storage (WWT), transport (CW, IICL), modification (WWT/CW).
- Select size: most often 20′ or 40′ standard, optionally High Cube.
- Verify condition: personal inspection recommended (doors, seals, floor, roof, signs of corrosion).
- Seller: verified seller with possibility of personal inspection, provision of current photos of the specific unit.
- Transport: determine transport options to site, sufficient space for loading (truck with tail lift, crane).
- Certification: for export require a valid CSC plate; for storage not required but indicates good condition.
Watch out for
- As‑Is containers: Much cheaper but risk of high repair costs.
- Incomplete information/photos: Always demand detailed documentation of condition.
- Hidden defects: Floor, roof, concealed corrosion can be problematic in unverified units.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is a Multi Trip container watertight?
Yes, if sold as WWT, CW or IICL. “As‑Is” units have no warranty.
How long does a Multi Trip container last?
Usually 10–15 years in transport and another 10–20 years in storage; with proper maintenance it can last even longer.
What is a CSC plate?
Safety certification for international transport, valid for 5 years.
Can I choose the colour of a used container?
Usually not; colour is set by the previous owner. Repainting is possible for an extra fee.
Is it worthwhile to invest in a Multi Trip container?
Yes, if price is the priority and the purpose is storage or modification. For representative or export purposes consider One Trip or CW/IICL containers.
Czech Republic, Cheb 
FREE SHIPPING 
Other container news...
Shipping container types
Roughly 80% of everything you own traveled to you inside a steel box. Shipping containers—also called cargo containers, ISO containers, or “conex” boxes—are the backbone of global trade, carrying about 90% of the world’s non-bulk cargo across oceans, rails, and highways. Yet a “shipping container” is not one single object. It is a family of specialized steel boxes, each engineered for a specific kind of cargo: some vent, some freeze, some open from the top, and some have no walls at all.
40 foot container storage uses
The 40 foot container has moved far beyond its original job of hauling cargo across the ocean. Today, the phrase “40 foot container storage uses” describes an enormous and still-growing field: everything from an extra garage behind a house to a full retail storefront, a mobile office, an indoor farm, or a temporary shelter. Because the 40 foot container is the most common size in global shipping, it is also the most abundant, the most affordable, and the most widely converted for storage and building purposes.
How tall is a 20-Foot shipping container?
A 20-foot shipping container stands 8 feet 6 inches (8′ 6″) tall on the outside, or 2.59 meters. Inside, the usable height is slightly less — roughly 7 feet 9–5/8 inches (2.39 m) — because the floor, roof panels, and corner castings consume several inches of the total height.
That is the short answer. But “how tall” hides important nuance: the number changes depending on whether you are measuring a standard unit or a high cube unit, whether you are measuring the exterior or the interior, and whether you actually need to fit something through the door opening, which is the shortest vertical dimension on the entire box.
Shipping container wheel movement kits
A shipping container wheel movement kit is a bolt-on (or twist-lock) hardware system that lets a single person attach wheels to the corner castings of a 20 ft or 40 ft shipping container and reposition it — often without a crane, forklift, or flatbed truck. Instead of hiring a heavy-haul trucker every time you want to nudge a container a few feet on your property, the right wheel kit turns a 4,000–10,000 lb steel box into something a pickup truck, skid steer, or a couple of strong backs with a come-along can move.