CSC Plate Information
Here's some helpful information about CSC plates that I think you'll find interesting!
CSC Plate Information: What It Means for Container Use
CSC plate information helps identify a container’s safety approval, weight markings and inspection status. It is particularly relevant when a container may be moved through ports, loaded for international freight or transferred between transport facilities.
CSC stands for the International Convention for Safe Containers. The convention was adopted in 1972 to establish consistent safety requirements for containers used in international transport. An approved container carries a CSC safety approval plate, usually fixed near the cargo doors.
The plate is only one part of a container assessment. Its details should be read alongside the container’s physical condition, identification markings and intended use. Shipping Containers of London can discuss the difference between containers intended for static storage and those being considered for export use.
Why CSC plate information matters
Containers used in international transport may be lifted, stacked and handled repeatedly at ports, rail terminals and depots. Their structure must be suitable for these operations. A CSC plate records information connected with the container’s approval and helps carriers, inspectors and other transport organisations identify the unit.
A carrier or freight forwarder may ask for current CSC details before accepting a container for shipment. A container with a missing, unreadable or apparently expired approval record may need further checks before it can be used for export. Acceptance can depend on the container’s condition, inspection status and the requirements of the organisation arranging the movement.
CSC approval is separate from a container being suitable for storage. A unit used only for static storage may have different requirements from one that will be placed into an international freight chain. If export use is possible later, check the CSC position before committing to the container.
What information is shown on a CSC plate?
The exact layout can vary, but a CSC plate normally records identification and safety information for the individual container. The values on the plate should be checked rather than estimated from the container’s nominal size.
| Plate detail | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| Owner code and serial number | The container’s identification reference. |
| Date of manufacture | The month and year in which the container was built. |
| Maximum gross weight | The maximum permitted combined weight of the container and its contents. |
| Tare weight | The weight of the empty container. |
| Payload | The permitted cargo weight recorded for that container. |
| Stacking test load | The stacking load associated with the container’s approval. |
| Racking test load | The recorded resistance to sideways forces during handling and transport. |
| CSC approval number | The reference connected with the container’s safety approval. |
| Inspection details | Information such as an ACEP reference or the next examination date. |
Tare weight is the weight of the empty unit. Payload refers to the cargo weight the container is permitted to carry. These figures should be considered together with the maximum gross weight, as loading must stay within the limits shown for that container.
The number on the CSC plate should match the container number displayed on the doors and any paperwork used for transport. Differences between these records should be resolved before the container is booked for shipment.
CSC plate format and legibility
The CSC convention sets requirements for the plate so that its information remains available for inspection. The plate should be made from durable, corrosion-resistant material and use permanent markings that can be read during the container’s working life.
The supplied CSC information states that the plate should be at least 200mm by 100mm. The heading CSC SAFETY APPROVAL should use lettering at least 8mm high, with other text at least 5mm high. Contrasting colours also help inspectors read the details.
A plate that is badly corroded, damaged, painted over or difficult to read may need attention even if it remains attached to the door. Do not rely on a plate that appears to have been altered or replaced without supporting approval information.
PES and ACEP inspection arrangements
A container’s approval needs to be supported by ongoing examination and maintenance. Two inspection arrangements commonly appear in CSC information: the Periodic Examination Scheme, known as PES, and an Approved Continuous Examination Programme, known as ACEP.
Periodic Examination Scheme
Under PES, the first examination normally takes place within five years of manufacture. Further examinations then take place at intervals of less than 30 months. The relevant examination date should be checked against the information on the plate and the supporting records.
Approved Continuous Examination Programme
ACEP uses ongoing examination during a container’s operational, handling and repair cycles rather than relying only on fixed examination dates. A container operating under ACEP should display the relevant ACEP reference on its CSC plate.
Inspection arrangements and approval details can vary. If the container has suffered significant structural damage, its suitability for further transport may need to be assessed even when the plate is still present. Repairs or a further examination may be required before export use.
How to check a CSC plate before export use
Inspect the plate before arranging international transport. The information should be clear, securely fixed and consistent with the rest of the container’s records.
- The Plate Is Securely Attached Near the Cargo Doors.
- The Identification Number Matches the Markings on the Container.
- The Weight Information Is Readable.
- The Inspection Details Are Current for the Intended Movement.
- The ACEP Reference or Examination Date Can Be Verified Where Applicable.
- The Plate Shows No Obvious Signs of Tampering, Substitution or Unauthorised Alteration.
Check the container itself as well. Look for damage to corner castings, frames, roof sections, side panels, doors and flooring. Severe corrosion, distortion, holes or door problems may affect the container’s suitability for transport. A CSC plate does not guarantee that a container will be accepted if its current condition is unsatisfactory.
Wind and watertight condition is a separate consideration. It relates to keeping out normal rain and weather during use, not to the container’s CSC approval. A container can be suitable for storage while still requiring separate checks before it is used in an international freight movement.
What if the CSC plate is missing or expired?
A missing, damaged or apparently expired plate can lead to additional checks before a carrier or freight operator accepts the container. The container may need assessment, repair, replacement approval details or recertification by an appropriate inspection body.
Do not assume that a replacement plate alone resolves the issue. The approval information should relate to the correct container and be supported by the relevant inspection record. The carrier, freight forwarder or inspection organisation handling the movement can confirm what evidence is required.
Shipping Containers of London can help clarify whether a container is being considered for storage or export use. Tell the supplier how the container will be used so that CSC status, identification details and any transport requirements can be considered at the appropriate stage.
For background on container construction and common equipment, see shipping container types. If the container will be delivered to a site before use, the container delivery guidelines cover practical preparation for placement.