What's the CSC Plate?

On nearly every shipping container you'll find a CSC plate, or "Container Safe Convention" plate. The only purpose of the CSC plate is for shipping, so for the retail buyer there's little need or meaning for the plate. However, it does tell some of the interesting information about the specific shipping container.

The CSC plate is fastened to every shipping container by the factory at the time that it's manufactured, and typically is bolted to the outside of the left door of the container. If you're purchasing the container to use as a storage unit or other non-transportation purpose, the CSC plate may have been removed by the dealer.

Each CSC plate must contain the following information, in English or French:

• The words "CSC SAFETY APPROVAL"
• The country of approval and approval reference
• The date (month and year) that the container was manufactured
• The manufacturer's identification number of the container or, in the case of existing containers for which that number is unknown, the number allotted by the Administration
• The maximum gross weight in both kilograms and lbs
• The allowable stacking weight for 1.8 g in both kilograms and lbs
• The racking test load value

Some of the additional information that is normally included on the CSC plate is the owner of the shipping container and their contact information, the timber (wood flooring) treatment information, and when the container is first due for an inspection.

CSC Plates and their importance

CSC plates and their importance

CSC Container Safety Convention - was introduced many years ago to regulate safety standards for ISO shipping containers to the benefit of all involved in handling and moving containers.

When built, new shipping containers have valid CSC plates for 5 years from the date of production. There are 2 schemes to maintain CSC validity:

Automatic Continuous Examination Program - ACEP

As the name suggests this infers that containers are inspected on an on-going basis. As ACEP belongs to the owner, containers which are sold (by the original owner) are supposed to be either updated with the ACEP approval number of the new owner or by PES sticker as below.

Periodic Examination Scheme - PES

Containers can be updated for a maximum of 30 months after inspection provided always that the container condition meets with the requirement for continued safe use. The CSC plate is normally updated with a sticker showing the next latest re-inspection (month-year) date.

All shipping containers require a valid CSC plate when being used for international transport by train, truck or ship including barges.