Container Knowledge Center
SOC & Cargo-Worthy Containers for International Freight
Shipper-Owned Containers, commonly called SOCs, are containers owned by the shipper, customer, or project rather than leased from an ocean carrier. For international freight shipments, the container's condition and documentation requirements matter. This guide explains the practical difference between SOCs and cargo-worthy containers.
Start here
What is a shipper-owned container?
A shipper-owned container is a unit owned by the shipper, the customer, or the project — owned by the shipper rather than leased from an ocean carrier. The owner decides where the box goes, how long it stays there, and what happens to it once the cargo is out.
For most buyers, that means the container is bought for a specific shipment requirement and then used, stored, sold, or repositioned according to the project's own plan.
Ownership
SOC vs. carrier-owned container
A carrier-owned container (COC) is equipment controlled by the ocean carrier. It is provided as part of the booking and has to be returned to the carrier under the terms of that booking.
An SOC is customer- or shipper-owned equipment. It travels as cargo-owned equipment on the booking rather than as carrier equipment. Terms, acceptance, and handling differ by carrier, lane, and shipment, so confirm the details for your specific move.
Condition
What does cargo-worthy mean?
Cargo-worthy describes a container condition considered suitable for eligible international freight use — the structure, doors, gaskets, floor, frame, corner castings, and plate details assessed together.
Cargo-worthy condition is subject to applicable requirements and to the shipping line's acceptance. Each carrier, lane and booking still applies its own acceptance requirements.
Documentation
When might a cargo-worthy certificate be needed?
Certain shipments, carriers, or logistics arrangements may require documentation demonstrating container condition. Whether it is needed — and what form it should take — depends on the booking.
Confirm shipment requirements with your carrier, your forwarder, or the Pro Box team before the container is loaded.
Pro Box
Pro Box support
Pro Box supplies cargo-worthy SOCs and new one-trip containers for qualified international freight requirements. Contact our team to discuss container condition, equipment type, origin, destination, timing, and project needs.
Keep reading
Related guides
Need cargo-worthy SOCs for an international move?
Send quantity, size/type, location and required date. We'll confirm what we can supply and what documentation makes sense.