CSC Plate Explained

The CSC plate is the mandatory safety approval plate for containers used in international transport. This guide explains what it means, how to read it, and what to verify before accepting a container for sea transport.

International transport compliancePractical inspection guidanceMG-Atlantic operational expertise

CSC SAFETY APPROVAL

Country of ApprovalGB

Approval ReferenceF-BV / 1234-01

Date of Manufacture (YOM)06/2024

ManufacturerCIMC

Max Gross Weight30,480 kg / 67,200 lbs

↓ Understanding a CSC Plate at a Glance

What Is a CSC Plate?

The CSC plate is the official safety approval plate required under the International Convention for Safe Containers (1972). It confirms that a container has been approved for structural safety in international transport, lifting, and stacking operations. The plate is permanently attached to the container door and must be legible and present for the container to be accepted for sea voyage.

Understanding a CSC Plate at a Glance

A CSC plate contains standardized fields that confirm the container's approval for international transport. Here is what a typical plate looks like.

CSC SAFETY APPROVAL

Simplified representation of a CSC safety approval plate. Actual plates may vary in format.

Country of Approval

Identifies which national authority approved the container for international transport. Shown as a country code (e.g., GB, DE, CN).

What Is ACEP?

ACEP stands for Approved Continuous Examination Program. Under ACEP, a container can remain in service without periodic re-inspection as long as it is maintained according to an approved program. This is the standard used by major leasing companies and shipping lines worldwide.

For buyers, an ACEP reference on a CSC plate means the container does not have a fixed next-inspection date. Instead, the owner or operator is responsible for maintaining the container under a continuous examination regime approved by the relevant authority. When purchasing a container from a fleet under ACEP, the new owner becomes responsible for ensuring continued compliance.

How to Read a CSC Plate

Follow these steps to quickly verify the key information on any CSC plate before accepting a container.

Identify the approval reference

Locate the country code and approval number at the top of the plate. This confirms which authority certified the container.

Check the date of manufacture

Verify the month and year the container was built. This helps assess age and calculate inspection intervals.

Verify the maximum gross weight

Confirm the maximum operating gross weight in kg and lbs. Ensure it matches your cargo and transport requirements.

Confirm stacking and racking values

Check the allowable stacking weight and transverse racking test load. These values determine how the container can be handled at sea.

Check examination status or ACEP

Determine whether the plate shows a next examination date or an ACEP reference. Both confirm the container's current approval status.

Confirm the plate is legible and present

The CSC plate must be physically attached to the container door and fully readable. A missing or illegible plate can result in rejection.

What Happens If a CSC Plate Is Expired or Missing?

A container with an expired or missing CSC plate cannot be accepted for international sea transport. The implications are significant for both operational and commercial workflows.

The container may be rejected at port and cannot be loaded on a vessel.

Inspection and re-certification by an approved surveyor will be required before transport.

Unexpected costs and delays may arise from non-compliance at the point of shipment.

For storage-only or domestic use, an expired CSC plate does not prevent the container from being used on land, but it affects export suitability.

CSC Plate Checklist Before Accepting a Container

Use this checklist when inspecting a container at depot before accepting it for transport or purchase.

Is the CSC plate physically present on the container door?

Is the plate fully legible and not damaged or corroded?

Is the next examination date still valid, or does the plate show ACEP?

Do the maximum gross weight and stacking values match your operational needs?

Is the container structurally consistent with its declared grade?

Has the container been inspected at depot before release?

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about CSC plates, compliance, and container inspection.

Yes. Every container used for international sea transport must have a valid CSC plate. Containers used only for domestic storage do not legally require one, but it remains best practice.

ACEP means the container is under an Approved Continuous Examination Program. Instead of fixed re-inspection dates, the owner maintains the container under a continuous program approved by the relevant authority.

Without ACEP, containers must be re-inspected at intervals not exceeding 30 months from the date of manufacture, then every 30 months thereafter. Under ACEP, continuous examination replaces fixed dates.

Yes. An expired CSC plate does not prevent a container from being used for static storage on land. However, it cannot be loaded on a vessel for sea transport until re-certified.

Yes. All containers delivered by MG-Atlantic for sea transport come with valid CSC certification. Containers are inspected at depot before release.

The CSC plate is a safety approval plate confirming structural compliance for transport. The container number (BIC code) is a unique identification number used for tracking and logistics. They serve different purposes.

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