SOC vs COC
A container the carrier lends you (COC), or a container you own outright (SOC). The difference comes down to one thing — whether you have to give it back — and that single fact drives a real cost and logistics tradeoff.
01Ownership and the return obligation
COC (Carrier Owned Container) is a container that belongs to the shipping line. The container-usage cost is bundled into the freight rate, and after discharge you’re required to return the empty box to a location the carrier designates. This is the standard arrangement for most ocean shipments.
SOC (Shipper Owned Container) is a container that you, the shipper, own. Because you’ve purchased the box itself, there’s an upfront cost — but there’s no obligation to return it.
| COC | Carrier-owned / must be returned / detention charges can accrue / usage cost is bundled into the freight rate |
|---|---|
| SOC | Shipper-owned / no return required / no detention exposure / container cost billed separately |
02When SOC works in your favor
The more of the following apply to your shipment, the stronger the case for SOC becomes.
No convenient return point at destination — inland countries, or ports far from a carrier depot. With COC, the empty box has to travel that same distance back before it can be returned, and you carry the cost and time of that return trip. With SOC, that leg simply doesn’t exist.
Slow cargo pickup or customs clearance at destination — in markets where clearance routinely takes a long time, a COC container sitting idle racks up detention charges the longer it takes.
Repurposing or reselling the container itself — some importers use the container as storage, a site office, or resell it locally once it arrives. Where there’s demand for used containers, this can recover part of the shipping cost.
On the flip side, for routes where equipment turns over quickly and empty return is straightforward — North America’s west coast, Southeast Asia, intra-East Asia — COC is usually the simpler, lower-friction choice.
03How we arrange SOC
We can handle everything from sourcing the container to loading it on the vessel. Let us know your requirements on grade (e.g. cargo-worthy) and manufacture year, and we can also arrange new (one-way) containers.
Some carriers place conditions on accepting SOC boxes, and a few routes don’t accept them at all. Tell us your destination and timing and we’ll confirm whether it’s workable before you commit.
See our SOC container arrangement service for details.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Does SOC actually work out cheaper overall?
It depends on the destination. You pay for the container itself, but you avoid empty-return freight and detention charges. For inland destinations or places with no convenient return point, SOC often comes out ahead on total cost. On routes where return is quick and easy, COC is usually the cheaper option.
Is the ocean freight rate the same for SOC?
Since the container-usage fee isn’t bundled in, SOC shipments are generally quoted at a lower freight rate than COC. Treatment varies by carrier, so confirm on a case-by-case basis.
Can a used container still be shipped?
Yes, as long as it’s cargo-worthy — meeting the structural and weatherproofing grade required for ocean shipment. Containers that don’t meet that grade can’t be loaded, so we check this at the sourcing stage.
About this guide
This guide is written and edited by the OCEAN FREIGHT JAPAN (SK.inc) editorial team, based on hands-on freight-forwarding experience and primary official sources. Content reflects information current as of the publication date — for the latest regulations, please check official sources directly.
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