Container Checklist

The following list is an overview of the 7 point inspection process.

1. Undercarriage

• The undercarriage should be visibly inspected prior to the trailer’s entry into our facility.
• All the support beams should be visible. Wheels and tires should look normal.
• If anything seems unusual about the trailer’s undercarriage, report this problem to your supervisor.

2. Outside/Inside Doors

• Inspect both the inside and outside of the trailer’s doors (or the container’s doors if working with a shipping container).
• The doors should have secure and reliable locking mechanisms, and they should not have loose bolts.
• Be suspicious of different color bonding materials and unusual plates or repairs.
• Plates should not cover door cavities.

3. Right Side

• Investigate the right side wall.
• Look for any unusual repairs to structural beams.
• Use a tool to tap the side walls. Listen and feel for a hollow sound.
• Any major repairs to the walls on the inside of the trailer should be visible on the outside, too.

4. Left Side

• Investigate the left side wall.
• Look for any unusual repairs to structural beams.
• Use a tool to tap the side walls. Listen and feel for a hollow sound.
• Any major repairs to the walls on the inside of the trailer should be visible on the outside, too.

5. Front Wall

• Use a range finder, measuring tape, or string to determine the length of the trailer.
• Blocks and vents must be visible and several inches apart. All the vent holes should be visible.
• Use a tool to tap the front wall. Listen and feel for a hollow sound.

6. Ceiling/Roof

• The ceiling is a certain standard distance from the floor. Blocks and vents must be visible.
• Repairs to the ceiling on the inside of the trailer should be visible on the outside.
• Use a tool to tap the ceiling. Listen for a hollow sound.

7. Floor

• The floor should be flat and uniform with no raised platforms.
• Be suspicious of any unusual repairs, bad repairs, and bad welding.