Comparison Guide

    Cargo Worthy vs Wind & Watertight Containers

    CW and WWT are the two grades US buyers see most often on used container quotes. They look almost identical in photos, but they are priced and used very differently. Here is how to pick the right one for your project.

    Cargo Worthy (CW)

    Approved for one more ocean voyage

    Cargo Worthy is a structural and regulatory grade. The container must be structurally sound, watertight, and carry a valid CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) plate so it can legally be loaded onto a vessel. In US depots, CW units are surveyed against the IICL Repair Manual baseline but without the cosmetic strictness of full IICL-5.

    In practice a CW container is what NVOCCs, freight forwarders and exporters buy when they need a box that will move through a port. It is also what most SOC one-way leasing programs require, including ours when shipping from US depots to overseas destinations.

    Wind & Watertight (WWT)

    Weatherproof storage grade

    WWT means the container keeps wind and water out, period. The roof does not leak, the doors close and seal, and the panels have no through-holes. Cosmetic condition is not graded: expect surface rust, dents, repairs, and faded paint.

    WWT does not guarantee a current CSC plate. Many WWT units have been retired from international service precisely because their CSC inspection lapsed. For ground storage at a US site, that is irrelevant; for export, it is disqualifying.

    Inspection Criteria

    What surveyors actually check

    The grade comes down to seven inspection points. A unit can fail CW on a single criterion (most often the CSC plate or a single corner-post crack) yet still pass WWT comfortably.

    Inspection point Cargo Worthy Wind & Watertight
    FloorSound hardwood, no soft spots, no oil saturation, no holesSolid enough to stand on; may show wear, stains, patches
    Doors & gasketsOpen / close freely, gaskets seal, no daylight visibleOperable; minor gasket wear acceptable if no water ingress
    RoofNo holes, no patches over rust pits, dents under 2" deepNo active leaks, patches and dents allowed if water-tight
    Sides & end wallsNo holes, dents typically under 1.5", rust under 30% surfaceNo holes, heavier denting and surface rust allowed
    Corner castingsAll 8 castings sound, no cracks, original ISO geometryCastings sound, cosmetic damage allowed
    CSC plateValid, legible, ACEP or current inspection dateOften expired or removed, not required for storage
    Light testPass: zero pinholes visible from inside with doors closedPass: no daylight from above or sides, doors sealed

    For the full grading hierarchy from One-Trip down to As-Is, see our Container Grades Explained reference.

    Transportation Eligibility

    Where each grade can legally go

    Cargo Worthy

    • • Ocean export from any US port
    • • SOC one-way leasing programs
    • • Intermodal rail (CSX, BNSF, UP, NS)
    • • Over-the-road trucking, 53ft chassis or tilt-bed
    • • Loaded gate-in at all major terminals
    • • Cross-border moves to Canada and Mexico

    Wind & Watertight

    • • Over-the-road trucking, tilt-bed delivery only
    • • On-site relocation by crane or roll-off
    • • ✗ No ocean export (no valid CSC plate)
    • • ✗ No loaded intermodal rail
    • • ✗ Refused at most container terminals
    • • ✗ Not eligible for SOC leasing

    Practical note for US buyers: if your unit will ever leave its first delivery site, ask the depot whether the CSC plate is current. Most trucking companies do not check it for stationary deliveries, but the moment that container has to move to a port or rail head, an expired plate becomes a hard stop.

    Storage Suitability

    For storage-only use, WWT wins on every dollar

    If the container will sit on a gravel pad behind your warehouse, on a construction site, or at a farm and never move again, WWT is the rational choice. The structural difference between WWT and CW does not affect interior dryness, security or insulation. Both keep tools, parts, inventory, equipment and documents protected through the same range of weather.

    That said, a CW unit holds its resale value better. Two to five years from now, a CW container with a still-valid CSC plate can be resold to an exporter at near its purchase price. A WWT unit will only resell into the storage market, typically at a 30–45% discount. If you have a defined end-of-life plan for the container, say a 10-year warehouse extension, WWT is the better number. If the use is open-ended and resale value matters, CW pays for itself.

    For exact site preparation requirements that apply to either grade, see our site preparation guide.

    US Pricing

    Typical 2026 US depot pricing

    Pricing varies by depot, season and global container supply. The figures below reflect the spread we see across our US partner depot network in early 2026 and are indicative for buyers comparing quotes.

    SizeWind & WatertightCargo WorthyCW premium
    20ft Standard$1,300 – $1,900$1,800 – $2,600+$400 – $900
    40ft Standard$1,700 – $2,400$2,400 – $3,400+$600 – $1,100
    40ft High Cube$1,900 – $2,700$2,600 – $3,800+$700 – $1,200

    Depot pickup, excluding delivery, taxes and modifications. East-coast and Gulf depots run higher; Midwest inland depots run lower.

    Decision Matrix

    Which grade fits your project?

    Will it ever ship by sea?

    Buy CW. WWT will be refused at the gate.

    Stationary site storage, 5+ years?

    Buy WWT and save the premium.

    Need resale value at end of life?

    Buy CW, keeps exporter resale market open.

    Modifications planned (office, workshop)?

    Either works. Pick WWT and reinvest the savings in the build-out.

    Cross-border move to Canada or Mexico?

    Buy CW, customs clearance is smoother with a valid CSC plate.

    On-site at a construction project, 6–24 months?

    WWT covers it. Save the premium for delivery and ramps.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    No. Ocean carriers and most ports will reject any container without a valid CSC plate. WWT units typically have an expired or missing CSC plate and are restricted to over-the-road moves and on-site storage in the US.

    No. IICL-5 is a stricter leasing-grade standard maintained by depots for major leasing companies. Cargo Worthy is the minimum condition required for one more ocean voyage. Every IICL unit is also CW, but most CW units would not pass IICL.

    Expect a $400–$900 premium per 20ft unit and $500–$1,200 per 40ft unit, depending on depot location, supply, and whether the CSC plate is current. The gap widens at coastal ports where CW supply is tighter.

    Yes, if it passes the light test and the doors seal. WWT is purpose-built to be weatherproof. The compromise is on cosmetics and the lack of a current CSC plate, not on water resistance.

    Sometimes. A surveyor can issue an ACEP-equivalent inspection and reissue the CSC plate if the structure passes. Budget $250–$600 for the survey plus any panel, floor or gasket repairs. It is rarely cost-effective compared to buying a CW unit outright.

    WWT is the default for stationary storage. It costs less, holds inventory and tools just as securely, and the missing CSC plate has no operational impact when the container is not moving across borders.

    Explore

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    Container use cases by industry

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    Ready to compare CW and WWT stock?

    MG-Atlantic sells from partner depots on both US coasts and in inland hubs. Tell us your zip code and intended use, we will quote the right grade in the right depot.

    Related: One Trip vs Cargo Worthy · New vs Used · CSC Plate Explained