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.