ic codes - a container shipping mark

Have you ever noticed the "ic codes" on a shipping container's wall? Do you know what the “ic” and 2 digits in the below photo means?

You know it? Great. Not many people understand the meaning of these markings.

If you don’t, no problem. Don’t blame yourself. Keep reading and you’ll understand meaning these symbols in a couple of minutes.

Well, the two letters “ic” stands for InterContainer, and “81” means that Austrian Federal Railways certified the Hapag-Lloyd container is allowed to be used for rail transport. That's it.

The question is what if the two digits is not "81". The answer: then another organization certifies the container bearing the code.

You know that freight containers are used in intermodal modes including sea, rail, truck. So, in order for these receptacles can be carried freely by railroad, it must comply with requirements by the International Union of Railways (UIC), which then certifies the container is allowed to be used for rail transport.

There is a full list of the codes and corresponding rail organizations and nations, which can represent UIC to provide such certification. To download it, click here.

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