7-point container inspection checklist
A 7-point container inspection checks the outside and undercarriage, the inside and outside of the doors, the right side, the left side, the front wall, the ceiling or roof, and the floor. It is done before stuffing, to confirm the container is sound and has no hidden compartments or tampering.
The seven points
| Point | What to look for |
|---|---|
| 1. Outside and undercarriage | Damage, repairs and anything attached or concealed |
| 2. Inside and outside doors | Door hardware, locking bars, hinges and rivets; signs of tampering |
| 3. Right side | Holes, unusual repairs and a wall that looks thicker than normal |
| 4. Left side | Holes, unusual repairs and a wall that looks thicker than normal |
| 5. Front wall | False walls; check that the inside length looks right |
| 6. Ceiling and roof | Holes, light leaks and false ceilings |
| 7. Floor | Damage, debris, moisture, and a floor that looks raised |
A CTPAT sample checklist also has an eighth point for the fan housing on refrigerated containers, plus lines for pest and hardware checks.
What to record
That sample form records the container number, the seal numbers on arrival and departure, the date and time, and the names and signatures of the inspector and the person who applied the seal. It also says the completed sheet should go in the shipping packet, which the consignee should receive before the merchandise.
Seals
US importers commonly require a high-security seal meeting ISO 17712 on loaded containers bound for the United States. Kohl's also requires a seal log and seal numbers on the manifest or bill of lading. Read your own importer's requirements, because they vary.
Is it mandatory?
It depends on who is asking. Public documents use different wording: Kohl's says factories must complete one, while 3M and DSW recommend it. Check your customer's manual and the current CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria from US Customs and Border Protection. We could not open the CBP document when writing this guide, so this page is not a summary of it or legal advice.
How LoadTrue's photo steps compare
| Point | LoadTrue standard photo step |
|---|---|
| Outside and undercarriage | Partly: left, right and front outside photos, but not the undercarriage |
| Inside and outside doors | Closed doors at sealing only; not the empty inspection |
| Right and left sides | Outside only; inside walls are not a separate step |
| Front wall | Not a separate step |
| Ceiling and roof | Yes: inside, looking up |
| Floor | Yes: inside, looking down |
So LoadTrue is not a complete 7-point record. If your customer requires one, keep the signed form and add the extra checks to your own procedure. LoadTrue can still hold the loading report alongside it. See also the wider container loading checklist and what importers receive.