Shipping container doors are more than just doors. They protect your cargo and provide important information about the container itself. Read this blog post to find out about different features and types of container doors. Plus, learn how you can protect your cargo with lock boxes on your container doors.
The most integral component of a shipping container’s structure is its doors. Container doors not only provide accessibility, but can also remarkably improve they’re overall function. In fact, the right door placement can cut down your loading and unloading time by a wide margin! We’ll learn more about this further down in the blog post.
What’s more, you can double down on the security of your cargo with a special feature: a lock box. A container may or may not come with a lock box, so make sure you check for this when looking for equipment.
The good news? You can cut right to the chase and find containers with this extra security feature quickly and easily by hopping onto the Container xChange platform.
On Container xChange, we’ve got over 50,000 containers of all types, sizes and conditions available, in over 2,500 locations worldwide. So you can take your pick. Every seller is vetted, and all prices are stated up front and negotiable. Use the public search below to find containers today!
Features of standard shipping container doors
Standard shipping container doors are made from stainless steel, and are incredibly strong and sturdy. While they may seem simple, making sure you’ve got quality container doors is essential in ensuring your cargo arrives at its destination safe and sound.
Let’s learn more about the standard features of container doors now.
Rubber gaskets at the top and bottom ensure that the gaps between the doors and container body are completely sealed. This prevents water, moisture and other elements from getting in and spoiling your cargo.
Hinge pins on the sides of the doors keep hinges moving freely with frequent opening and closing. Lockrods, which run vertically down the length of each container door, are used to securely fasten the doors shut.
A lockbox can then be used to lock your container effectively. This is essentially a steel box enclosing the padlock. This welded covering only allows access to the lock from the underside only. Hence, adding that extra layer of protection to your containers to give you peace of mind.
This prevents smugglers from forcing open locks with crowbars, angle grinders, or bolt cutters. It also shields locks from the elements, protecting them from rust and wear and tear.
Need a container with a lockbox to keep your cargo safe and secure? Lockboxes allow you to rest easy, knowing no one can tamper with your container or its contents. Luckily, we’ve got containers with lockboxes available on the Container xChange platform. Browse equipment with lockboxes at the best prices right now.
Shipping container door markings
Often wondered what all of the markings and numbers on container doors mean? We’ll decode these for you below. If you already know all about container door markings, go ahead and skip to the next section.
Classification mark: Every container is tested for strength and cargo-worthiness by a classification society. The classification society’s label appears here.
Owner’s logo: This is the logo of the shipping line, freight forwarder or NVOCC that owns the container.
Repair recommendation: This tells you that the container needs repairs.
Container number: The container number is a unique sequence of 4 letters and 7 numbers. ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) assigns this number so that the container can be identified internationally.
Combined data plate: This plate includes the Customers Convention for Containers (CCC) reference to allow transport under customs seal, plus the name and details of the container operator.
Dimensions: This section of the container door shows all of the important dimensions, including the weight and payload (how much a container can hold).
Height warning: These are mandatory warning plates for all containers over 8,6ft (2.4m) in height.
Manufacturer’s logo: This sign indicates who the container manufacturer is.
Types of doors for shipping containers
Did you know that there are different types of container doors for different uses? If you’re thinking of customizing containers — especially for storage use — you’ll need to get clued up on the different door types available.
Check out some of the most popular options below:
Type 1 (S1) container doors
This door type is commonly used for storage because it’s thick, strong and sturdy. However, it’s lighter than a standard shipping container door, making it more convenient for frequent use.
Type 3 (S3) container doors
These are steel panel doors, made of lightweight steel, with two locking arms. They’re a combination of S1 and standard shipping container doors. They’re also good for storage use because they’re light and secure.
Roll-up container doors
If you’re looking for a container door for frequent use, the roll-up is your answer. It’s made from corrugated steel and makes loading and unloading cargo easy and convenient. It’s also a great space-saver.
Personnel container doors
Personnel doors are ideal if you want to use your container as an office space or to store smaller items. They’re basically standard household doors and are light and easy to open and close, unlike standard container doors, which are extremely bulky.
Types of shipping containers with specialized doors
You can also get containers with doors in different places, such as the side-door container and the double-door container. Interested to learn more? Here’s a quick breakdown:
Side-door container
Side-door containers have a door on their longer end as well as at the front. This special container type is perfect for loading oddly-shaped or large cargo. More doors also mean that more workers can load goods at the same time, speeding up the entire process. How convenient!
Double-door container
Double-door containers have doors on both ends. This makes loading and unloading cargo quick, easy and convenient. Double doors are commonly used to transport vehicles like cars, small boats and motorbikes. Why? Because these can be driven in one end and out the other, no need for awkward maneuvers.
Is either the side-door or the double-door exactly what you’ve been looking for for your shipping and loading needs? You’re in luck! Click below to start browsing special containers in various sizes and conditions on Container xChange, at prices you’ll love.
Buy special containers and containers with lockboxes on xChange
Ready to sign up for Container xChange but not sure how it works? Once you’re a member, simply navigate to our trading or leasing platform, enter your requirements, and browse available containers in your desired location.
Compare prices, negotiate directly with suppliers, and get deals that suit your budget. Here are a few of the benefits of using xChange:
- Standard and special containers with/without lockboxes
- 50,000+ containers available in over 2,500 locations
- Work with vetted and reliable partners
- Safe payment handling
- 0% commission on deals
So let’s get started! Simply click on the banner below to sign up for a free demo with one of our helpful experts. Get a sneak peak of the platform and ask any burning questions you may have. Finally, get special containers, equipment to modify, or containers with lockboxes from reliable sellers, at a price that suits you.
Shipping container doors: Common FAQs
What kind of doors do shipping containers have?
Standard shipping containers have standard container doors. These doors are heavy-duty, watertight and weather resistant.
How many doors do standard shipping containers have?
A standard shipping container has 2 doors that open outwards on one side of the container. There are special container types that have more than one set of doors. There is the side door container which has a door on one of the longer sides, and the double door, which has doors on both ends.
Are shipping container doors watertight?
Shipping containers have doors with rubber seals which protect the container from the elements, including wind, water and moisture.
