Suppose you’re planning to buy, rent or fabricate a shipping container in Kenya, either for converting into a contemporary family home, a secure site storage unit, or a series of classrooms and offices for a school. In that case, you will definitely encounter the container grading system (A, B, or C).
In Kenya’s thriving second-hand containers market, understanding these grades helps in selection and decision-making. The grade of any container directly affects the price, structural integrity, and how long the container will last (its longevity). Choosing the wrong grade can be an expensive mistake!
Why Container Grade Matters When Buying
The container grade helps you assess:
- The actual physical condition (beyond surface appearance).
- If it is suitable as a storage unit, for fabrication and for exporting cargo (cargo-worthy).
- The optimal balance between price and expected lifespan.
The table below gives a detailed overview of the features of Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C container categories as available in the Kenyan Market.
| GRADES & FEATURES | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
| Use and Age | These are “one-trip” containers (less than 2 years old), meaning they were only used once to ship cargo to Kenya. | These have typically been used to ship cargo for 3 to 15 years. | The oldest containers in the market. |
| Condition | Excellent. Some are brand new. Most are almost as good as new. | Structurally sound but with minimal dents and few signs of wear and tear. | Extremely worn out with obvious signs of age and heavier use. |
| Structure | Absolutely watertight, windtight, and structurally solid | Watertight and secure for general storage, shipping and fabrication purposes. | Still confirmed to be wind and watertight, even with visible dents and patching. These are often still considered suitable for low-risk export cargo and storage purposes. |
| Appearance | Fresh paintwork with minimal, if any, to zero scratches or dents. | Expect faded paint, bits of surface rust, and moderate dents. Original shipping line branding clearly still visible. | Heavy fading, deep scratches, major dents, and clear patchwork or repairs. |
| Price in Kenya | Premium Prices for brand new containers. | A very popular choice for the budget-conscious buyer who needs a dependable solution. | Offers the lowest upfront cost for the tightest budgets. |
Grade A Containers: The “One-Trip” Units
Brand new shipping containers
These are the baby container units, barely used, having done only one trip.
These are best for high-end conversion fabrication, pristine grade container houses, professional offices, or storing high-value goods where appearance is paramount.
They are either brand new or have just been used for a single shipping trip.
Grade B Containers: Used Containers That are Still in Excellent Condition
Grade B shipping containers at Premium Containers Premises, Nairobi
They are the highly affordable, value for money containers with the most uses in container fabrication for houses, offices, schools and classrooms, clinics and hospitals, storage units, or spaces where the container is installed, and reliability and functionality are needed.
Grade C Containers: The Low-Budget, Basic Use Unit
Grade C Shipping Containers
Grade C containers are the lowest possible quality available. They are useful for static, long-term storage, farm equipment and materials, or any project where affordability is the absolute priority and aesthetic conditions are irrelevant.
Choosing the Right Grade: Ask Yourself These Questions
When looking for a container in the Kenyan market, you can make valid, informed decisions by considering the following:
- Budget: Is this a long-term container use and building investment or a short-term need to save money?
- Container Use: Will the container be visible to your customers (needs a Grade A) or will it be hidden on a construction site (Grade B or C is fine)?
- Future Plans: Do you plan to heavily refurbish the container? A fairly good quality (Grade A or B) would be alright. Otherwise, for long-term storage and shipping of hardware equipment & materials, a Grade C works just fine.
- Longevity: Do you need it to last just 5 years or more than 15 years? Long-term use requires the best quality available.
Would you like us to supply any of the above container units (Grades A, B, or C) in the 20-foot and 40-foot categories, as they appear in the Kenyan market?
Be sure to contact Premium Containers Limited.