People familiar with the shipping business and shipping containers often use terms the average business person isn't familiar with. This can cause confusion, and waste time that could otherwise be spent selecting features or finalizing purchases of cargo containers. Knowing industry terms can improve and speed up searches and product comparisons, among other things.

You're unlikely to hear terms like International Organization for Standardization (ISO) containers or Intermodal Transport Unit (ITU) used by anybody not working with cargo container suppliers. Most shipping containers meet ISO guidelines, which is why they are often called ISO containers. ITU often refers to containers that are used on multiple forms of transit. These terms are sometimes used instead of the term shipping container.

1. Different types of shipping containers can have specific terms. If you're looking for a certain kind of shipping container, make sure you know the terms associated with that particular type, not just the average shipping container.

2. Businesses using overseas shipping containers may use different terminology. If you plan to work with a company from another country, check its terms.

3. Even related items, like pallets and locks can have different terms associated with them.

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Pick a dry van shipping container for general transport

Dry van shipping containers are used for shipping boxes, cartons, pallets, sacks and other common goods. This is the most commonly used type of shipping container, and it works well for shipping most things. Some dry vans can be taller or wider than average, depending on the country they originate from. Dry vans are usually the most economical shipping container solution, so dry van is among the more common shipping containers key terms.

I recommend: Check out dry vans available from Pac-Van or the Mobile Storage Group in a variety of sizes.

Purchase reefers, or refrigerated freight containers for temperature-sensitive goods

Reefers are temperature controlled insulated shipping containers. This type of shipping container is often used to carry perishable goods like meat and other temperature-sensitive cargo. These storage units often use electrical outlets to keep the temperature even at land-based sites and switch to diesel powered generators when on the road. Reefers can be transported by truck, ship or train.

I recommend: Get reefers from ContainerSales.com, or Containers Now. Both carry reefers in several sizes.

Use bulktainers for transporting minerals and bulk materials

Bulktainers are shipping containers used to send large amounts of items like gravel, pellets or heavy machinery. This type of shipping container is usually open on top, allowing for easy removal of bulk items. The open top also allows you to ship unusually tall items, because they can just stick out. Often, a tarp is used to cover bulktainers during shipping, to ensure that the cargo does not fly out.

I recommend: Purchase bulktainers from Chassis King, or check out used shipping container bulktainers from PriceWise Containers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying shipping containers, it's always good to make sure the cargo containers for sale are ISO approved. Otherwise, you may be out of luck if you need to send your goods in a different country or by an alternate method of transportation.

What would the world be without the omnipresent shipping container, aka, "the box"? Probably a lot poorer. Shipping containers have taken over world trade, and although industrial and invariably ugly, they do serve a long-needed purpose: total storage container control over goods in transit, come high water or heavy weather.

Working with shipping containers is a matter of shopping according to your company's very specific needs. In this primer on cargo containers, you'll learn:

1. Basic shipping containers types and uses
2. Using a plastic plastic shipping container or storage container to protect goods
3. How thermal and refrigerated cargo containers work
4. Choosing among shipping container manufacturers

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Choosing the right shipping containers

These days, most cargo containers for sale must conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) shipping container measurements.

I recommend: Cube shipping containers are eight feet wide, eight feet six inches high, and 20 or 40 feet long. Some cube cargo containers for sale are insulated, have flat racks, open tops or can be refrigerated or simply hold tanks for liquid. Shipping and storage container vendors include Cobra, TRS, On-Site Storage, BSL Containers, and Charleston Marine. See additional storage container resources at the Business.com directory for shipping and storage containers.

Shipping containers vary according to industrial need

A storage container known as a flat rack or platform shipping container is open on the sides and can carry heavy machinery. Open top shipping containers carry oversized, heavy cargo and bulk items, like steel pellets, coal, grain or sand.

I recommend: For flat-rack shipping containers, consider shipping container manufacturers SCF, Morbridge International and Cave Systems. For a tank shipping container, manufacturers include UBH International, M&S, or the member directory of the shipping container manufacturer trade group, the International Tank Container Organization. Ferguson Seacab is a shipping container manufacturer for open-top shipping containers. Find shipping containers for sale or lease at Business.com.

A plastic shipping container is the choice for fragile or odd-size goods

Before it can go in the big metal box, a lot of items should be packaged separately, often in plastic cargo containers. These are often custom-made shipping containers or designed for specific industries, like agriculture.

I recommend: Vendors of custom plastic cargo containers for sale include Orbis, Cisco-Eagle, Rehrig Pacific and Flexcon. Or take a look at plastic shipping container choices at Business.com.

For sensitive goods, use thermal or refrigerated shipping containers

Shipping containers come with thermal lining for frozen or sensitive goods, like fresh flowers and fish. Such shipping containers are not necessarily refrigerated, but refrigerated shipping containers can be bought or leased as well.

I recommend: Most shipping container makers have thermal or refrigerated versions. Some additional vendors of thermal shipping containers include Thermosafe and J.D. Packaging.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most shipping companies supply shipping containers for their customers, although there's no guarantee. Increased world trade has squeezed the supply of steel for new shipping containers from shipping container manufacturers.
• •  Shipping containers are built to international standards in order to accommodate what's known as intermodal -- train, truck or boat -- transport. If the small box shipping container seems too big, time to take out partial space.
• •  Using a shipping container for storage can be pricey -- unless you buy a used one from a shipping container manufacturer. This can be easier than you might guess. Shipping containers get beat up on long voyages and quickly must be recycled, refurbished or sold off. There's even an architectural movement dedicated to recycling shipping containers for developing-world housing.

When your company buys shipping containers, there are a lot of factors to consider. Size, condition and extras like thermal lining or refrigeration all play a part in determining the cost of your cargo containers. Cargo containers for sale can be used, refurbished or new, and there are a variety of sizes and types of shipping and freight containers.

These types include open-top units for transporting bulk materials, like gravel; tank containers for liquids; and ventilated shipping containers for goods like flowers and produce. Certain types of shipping containers cost more, such as ventilated or temperature-controlled units. General purpose dry vans are used for most goods, and are relatively inexpensive.

1. Shipping for empty cargo containers can be very expensive. Always check if the shipping costs are included in the purchase price. If not, find out how much they'll be.

2. Most shipping containers don't come with locks or other security mechanisms. If you want these you'll have to purchase them, so remember to factor security features into your budget.

3. Often, the cheapest option for purchasing used shipping containers is the provider closest to your business. Because shipping is often more expensive than the container, closer shops are almost always better.

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Buy new shipping containers to ensure their quality and lifespan

New shipping containers are generally rust-free and lack the dents, holes and other wear-and-tear you'd find on used shipping containers. These containers can be customized for a variety of purposes. New shipping containers generally cost more than used or refurbished cargo containers. It's often cheaper to buy a new shipping container where you plan to ship from than to pay for the transport and purchase of an old container. New shipping containers can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.

I recommend: Select a new shipping container from BOXWEB or get one from Air-Sea Containers.

Purchase used cargo containers for affordable global shipping

Used shipping containers are more economical, and work well for the vast majority of goods. Shipping an empty container to your departure point is usually expensive though, so it's best to look for them in the area where you plan to ship your goods from. Many cargo container suppliers include the shipping price in the cost of the container. Sometimes you can find used shipping containers available for free, if you pay for shipping.

I recommend: Get used shipping and cargo containers from On-Site Storage Solutions, or Dolphin Sea Containers.

Get insulated shipping containers or specialized shipping container models

Special features like insulation, ventilation or customized models may cost more than your average shipping container. Cargo containers for sale with things like windows, lining, shelving or other features require more materials and labor. Generally speaking, the more features you need, the more expensive the model will be. Pricing and costs of shipping containers vary depending on the type you're looking to buy and the level of customization, but they're usually in the $1500 to $4,000 range.

I recommend: Check out the insulated models available from Interport Maintenance, or check out refrigerated models from WA Container Services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to have shipping container suppliers paint your cargo or shipping container, it usually costs extra. Consider skipping the paint job if the unit looks respectable, or try painting it yourself to save money.

Any business or commercial entity which provides a type of good to the consumer may need to ship the goods in cargo containers or another sort of shipping containers. By investing in improper shipping containers, businesses may be wasting money and resources. Buying shipping containers that are best suited for one's individual business can be time consuming at first, since it takes time and energy to figure out what the companies really need when it comes to shipping, but it often worth it in the long run.

When investigating cargo containers for sale, it is important to note that there are many different shipping containers types and styles available on the open market. Not all cargo container suppliers are objective when it comes to suggesting freight containers, shipping container options and cargo containers, which makes independent research that much more important. To help with this, businesses and shipping specialists are encouraged to review some of the most popular shipping containers types and styles. Businesses may benefit from:

1. Purchasing insulated shipping containers.

2. Buying wholesale cargo containers.

3. Investing in used shipping containers.

4. Acquiring open top shipping containers.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider insulated shipping containers for the protection and thermal control

Insulated shipping containers are able to offer additional protection and thermal control. Such products may be shaped as boxes or other container shapes, and may or may not come with the option of cold packs or other external accessories to help control the temperature of the shipping containers. These types of shipping containers may come made out of cardboard, polystyrene or foam, to name a few popular options. Thermal control shipping containers are also referred to as refrigerated containers. Medical professionals make up one group which would be particularly interested in and best served by insulated shipping containers.

I recommend: Shipping container suppliers of insulated products include Fast-Pack.com and AcuTemp.com. Both of these websites offer cold packs, while AcuTemp also offers mobile refrigerators, thermal pallets and vaccine carriers.

Research wholesale shipping containers in an effort to save money

Wholesale shipping containers are sold in bulk. These particular containers and boxes may be any shape or size. They also may be made of virtually any material. Wholesale shipping containers may also be defined as those which may be utilized to package large quantities of items. In these instances, they may also be called cargo containers or freight containers.

I recommend: For wholesale prices on cargo shipping containers, visit ContainerService.us. For cargo or freight containers useful in shipping wholesale items, consider WestCoastContainers.com. Most of these shipping containers are made of metal.

Explore options for used shipping containers as another potential way to cut back on shipping costs

Used shipping containers are a particularly environmentally-friendly option for businesses. These containers have been used before, but are still in working condition. They can even allow for businesses to save money on such purchases.

I recommend: BuyerZone.com offers information on how exactly on may go about purchasing used shipping containers. iPort.com offers new and used shipping containers of various materials, sizes and capabilities.

Peruse open top shipping containers for large items

Open top shipping containers are designed very similarly to basic shipping containers and boxes. However, instead of featuring a lid, these types of boxes do that have a lid. They are widely utilized in the transportation and moving of tall items or objects.

I recommend: Images of such containers are organized at Matts-Place.com. Additional information about open top shipping containers can be reviewed at ContainerHireAndSales.com.