Currently, there are three series of international container standards, totaling 15 types. When choosing a container specification, it is crucial to consider the specific cargo conditions and port conditions along the shipping route, as this significantly impacts the successful completion of containerized cargo transportation.​

Generally, on routes with lower freight volumes, it is advisable not to select overly large container specifications. Additionally, the density of goods matters; for routes with a high proportion of lightweight bulky goods in imports and exports, larger-sized containers are more suitable.​

When determining the container specification, cooperation with foreign shipping companies and cargo owners should also be considered. In international multimodal transport of containerized goods, container exchange and shared use with foreign shipping companies are common. Therefore, it is recommended to choose container models widely used internationally. The principle of “door-to-door” transportation should be adhered to in international multimodal container transport. Hence, inland transportation conditions must be taken into account. To enable “door-to-door” transport in regions with low freight volumes and poor transportation conditions, the “mother-and-child container” transport method can be adopted. This method ensures that the dimensions of child containers match those of mother containers, allowing the use of large international standard containers for sea transport and smaller containers for inland transport. As container transport develops and freight volumes increase, the “door-to-door” transport of large containers can be gradually improved.​

Moreover, on some routes, cargo imbalance between ports often leads to a large number of empty containers being transported back, reducing the economic efficiency of container transport and potentially hindering its development. To address this issue, some shipping companies use collapsible containers on imbalanced routes. When folded, the volume of these containers is only one – fourth of that of fixed containers, meaning four folded containers can be stacked to the volume of one standard fixed container, significantly reducing cabin space loss during empty container returns.​

When selecting a container, the primary considerations are the type, nature, shape, packaging, volume, weight of the goods, and transportation requirements. First, ensure the goods fit into the container, and then consider economic rationality and compatibility with the required transportation conditions. Before loading goods, containers must undergo strict inspections. Defective containers can cause minor cargo damage or, in severe cases, accidents during transportation and handling. Thus, container inspection is a fundamental requirement for safe cargo transport. Shippers, carriers, consignees, and other relevant parties should not only inspect the containers but also confirm their condition in writing through equipment interchange receipts during handover. Typically, container inspections should cover the following aspects:​

1. External Inspection: Examine all six sides of the container for damage, deformation, cracks, or other abnormalities. Mark the areas that require repair.​

2. Internal Inspection: Inspect the inner surfaces of all six sides to check for water leakage, light penetration, stains, or watermarks.​

3. Door Inspection: Verify that the container doors are in good condition, watertight around the edges, the locks are intact, and the doors can be opened and closed repeatedly.​

4. Cleanliness Inspection: Check for residues, contaminants, rust, odors, or moisture inside the container. If the container does not meet the requirements, clean it or even replace it.​

5. Accessory Inspection: Inspect the reinforcement and connection status of container accessories, such as the support posts of platform containers and the extended structures of flat – rack and open – top containers.​