LOAD IN: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Location: Liberty Harbor Marina. 15 Marin Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Arrive according to your emailed timeslot. Do not be late!

ON PLAYA HOURS:

Build and Burn weeks: 10am – 8pm
Burn nights (Sat and Sun): 10am – 6pm
Exodus Monday (Labor Day): 9am – 12pm — Containers are locked at Noon! Don’t be late!

LOAD OUT: Saturday, September 13, 2025 

Arrive as early as possible to more easily locate your stuff.
This is what Load Out looks like:

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🛍️ Sales, Ordering & Waiver

Q: When do container sales go live?
A: Typically mid- to late-June. Follow the website or Facebook group for updates, or join the email list. Our coding monkeys run on amplified playa time, the sale will be live eventually! The 2025 sale is now open. 

Q: Can I still buy container space?
A: Yes. 
A: Sales usually close in late July or when we sell out. If it’s past that date, you may need to wait for resale opportunities.

Q: Can I buy more space? Will the QR code be the same?
A: Just use the same email address and your purchases will be combined, with same QR

Q: Can I sign the waiver for my partner?
A: No. Each person must sign their own waiver. It’s a legal document.

Q: Can I buy one-way space?
A: Yes, but the price is the same either way. You’re paying for container use, not direction.

Q: Can I pay for space now and fill it later?
A: Yes. You’re buying space, not specific bins or gear.

Q: What if I buy too much space? What if I can’t attend? Can I resell my container space?
A: Yes! There is an automated process in case you want to re-sell part or all of your container space to someone else. The link to the Re-sale is available a few weeks after sales start. 

If it’s not a financial burden for you / you can’t be bothered with the re-sale process, you’re welcome to donate (all/part of) your space back to Container. Email us (if you’re not attending), or inform us at check in during Load In. That space will be given to others in need or who made a mistake calculating, and your community thanks you. 

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🕰️ Load In

Q: When is Load In?
A: Load in is usually two weeks before Gate opens for build week on playa. For 2025, Load In is Sunday, August 3. Your exact time slot will be emailed after purchase.

📦 What happens on Load In Day? What do I need to do?
Load In is when you (or your proxy) load your gear onto the container to be shipped to Burning Man.
2025 info:
📅Date: Sunday, August 3
🕒 Time: You’ll be assigned a specific time slot via email. Be on time.
🕓 Duration: 8am to 4pm. At 4pm, the containers are picked up and taken to the rail yard.
📍 Location: Liberty Harbor Marina. 15 Marin Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07302

 What to expect:

1. Arrive at Load In and park in the appropriate place (INSIDE the ropes, and where our parking person/signs direct you). Just park, don’t yet unload your items. 
2. Check in
3. Unload your stuff and get measured
4. Load your stuff on the designated container
5. TAKE A PHOTO OF THAT CONTAINER NAME
6. Lastly, if possible, stick around to help others and help de-MOOP

 📸 Pro tip: Take pics of your bins and what’s inside in case anything needs to be identified later.
🔁 You can send a proxy if you can’t make it—They must bring a copy of your QR code for check-in, have a copy of your legal ID, and arrive during your assigned time slot.

Q: Can I drop my stuff off on another day?
A: No. It is really expensive to park a bunch of containers somewhere for the day around NYC, and we don’t have a storage facility.

Q: Can I load someone else’s gear?
A: Yes

Q: What happens if I miss my Load In time slot?
A: You screw it up for other people, as your items will be in front of theirs. Your items are also at greater risk of being damaged, as people will step on, climb over, or move your stuff. If you’re really late, you might not be able to load your gear. Please be on time. If you forget about Load In completely, you’re SOL, because the containers will be on their way to Nevada once they are locked and picked up.

Q: Will I get a reminder for Load In and Load Out?
A: Radical self-reliance!!! Use the technology in your pocket. Add these dates to your calendar and set reminders. That said, yes—we will send email reminders and make posts in the Facebook group.

Q: Can I split Load In slots with my camp?
A: Coordinate with your camp, but each person still needs their own waiver.

Q: Do I load/unload myself or do volunteers help?
A: You load/unload your own gear. Your fellow burners might be willing to help you, but you’re responsible for your own items.

Q: How do I remember which container my stuff is on? Should I take a photo of the license plate?
A: Nope! The container will be lifted from that chassis and put on a rail car. That truck and chassis stays in NJ. The license plate will be different on playa. Instead… We assign a name to each container and one of Container Crew helpfully makes a poster for each one, every year. Take a photo of THAT. 

Q: What are the container names?
A: 🚀 For 2025: Millennium Falcon, Starship Enterprise, Serenity, and Planet Express.

Q: Ooh! Can I choose next year’s container names?
A: No, this is purely the domain of one Container Crew member and their fun project. 

Q: I live in New York. I don’t have a car! How do I get my stuff to Load In??
A: There are many methods. If you don’t have a lot of stuff, you can take the PATH—Load In is about a ten minute walk from the station. Or, coordinate with your friends and community members and ride share or rent a van/truck. Some folks take Uber/Lyft. Start planning now!

Q: Okay, I’m renting a truck. Are there restrictions on bridges or tunnels I can use?
A: Commercial vehicles in classes 1, 2 and 3 (two- and three-axle single-unit trucks) may use the Holland Tunnel in either direction. That covers box trucks rented from U-Haul. See details on the Holland and other crossings. (Thanks to Brian Konash for this helpful information!)

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🏜️ On Playa (5:15 & G)

Q: Where is the NYC Container camp on playa?
A: For 2025, at 5:15 & G. This is where your gear will arrive and where you’ll load it again for Re-Load.

Q: When does the container arrive on playa?
A: The containers arrive during early build week, usually on Monday or Tuesday. The first container is usually there on Monday; sometimes the other containers arrive a day or more later. You’ll be able to retrieve your items once Container Crew is on site and finishes basic setup.

Q: How do I get my stuff when I arrive on playa?
A: Head to 5:15 & G, find a Container Crew member, and collect your labeled gear. You are responsible for transporting it to your own camp.

Q: What if someone else is picking up my stuff on playa?
A: They must bring a copy of your QR code and your ID, and know what your stuff looks like.

Q: What are the operating hours for picking up on playa?
A: The containers open 10 am to 8 pm, except on burn nights when they close at 6 pm. Always double‑check as these are approximate. If a member of Container Crew is around and available outside of those hours, they might be willing to open the container for you early/late. We’re more accommodating on opening weekend (Sat/Sun) because we know getting through gate isn’t always easy — but just remember that we are participants also and still need to go to Burning Man ourselves 🙂

Q: Can I store my stuff at the container all week? What about for the return trip?
A: No, the container area is not a storage space during the week. After you pick up your items at the beginning of the week, you must take them to your camp.
A: One exception to this rule: empty bike boxes can now be left on the container. You can put your bike together at container camp (we have tools and can give you advice) and then leave your bike box on the container so you can use it for the way back. Just make sure not to leave any MOOP!

If you’re sending your items back on the container, see Re-Load info below.

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🛎️ Reload

Q: When and where can I re‑load items for the return trip to NYC?
A: Re‑Load runs all week on playa and ends Monday, September 1, 2025, at 12 pm sharp. Any items not re‑loaded before then will not go back. 

Exceptions for extreme situations: During the 2023 mud burn, we stayed on playa extra days and were extra flexible with operating times. During the 2024 exodus white outs, we were as flexible as we could be especially if we heard from folks ahead of time about their own delays. When in doubt, talk to us first!!

Q: What are the operating hours for Reload on playa?
A: The containers open 10 am to 8 pm, except on burn nights when they close at 6 pm. Always double‑check as these are approximate. If a member of Container Crew is around and available outside of those hours, they might be willing to open the container for you early/late. Do not expect this after 6pm on burn nights.

Q: What are my responsibilities during Reload on playa?
A: Check in with us first before you reload. You must pack and label everything ahead of time. You are responsible for loading your own items. NYC Container Crew won’t do it for you. You are re-loading on the designated container told to you at check in. Items are loaded all the way back, all the way up. We load “high and tight!”

Q: But my ride is at [time] and you’re not open then. Can I leave my items outside the container for you to load later?
A: Absolutely not. Items left outside the containers are not secure and will be considered MOOP. In fact, there’s a chance we won’t even know it’s there or if someone else takes it. If you don’t check in with us and load it yourself, it’s not going on the container. Our hours are clearly communicated: plan accordingly. 

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📤 Load Out

Q: When is Load Out?
A: Load Out is always the second (or, should circumstances cause a delay, the third) Saturday after the man burn. It’s one day only within limited hours. In 2025, Load Out is scheduled for Saturday, September 13. Note: sometimes, circumstances outside of our control may cause delays. For example: a rail workers strike, a half marathon in Jersey City, site owners being dicks, natural disasters, etc. 

Note: Sometimes, yes, Load Out falls on the same day as Rosh Hashanah. Load Out will always be two weeks after man burn because that’s how long it takes for the containers to get back (assuming no unexpected—and rare—delays). If this will affect you, there is plenty of time to make alternate arrangements. Load Out date is widely communicated and you are reminded of this at Load In, and at Re-Load on playa.

📤 What happens on Load Out Day? How do I get my stuff back?
Load Out is when you (or your proxy) pick up your stuff after it returns from the playa.
2025 info:
🗓 Date: Saturday, September 13
🕒 Duration: 8am to 2pm. Containers are taken away by 4pm.
📍 Location: TBA

 What to expect:

1. Arrive at the Load Out location as early as possible
2. Help unload the containers
3. Find and collect your items
4. Help others and help de-MOOP

 🔁 Sending someone else to pick up your stuff? Make sure they know:

• What your stuff looks like
• Which container it was on
• How many items, what type, and any special instructions (e.g., “3 bins + tent bag with rainbow tape”)

 📸 Provide photos and a list to your proxy, and ensure your items are very clearly labeled and recognizable. DON’T ASSUME SOMEONE WILL REMEMBER WHAT YOUR GEAR LOOKS LIKE.

 🚫 If your stuff isn’t picked up by 4pm, it may be considered trash and thrown out. NYCCC does not have the capacity to store items for you, and we cannot leave MOOP behind. There are no late pickups.

Q: What if my proxy doesn’t know what my bins look like?
A: Then your stuff isn’t getting picked up? Prepare ahead of time: when finished packing, take photos of your bins and the contents. Send those photos to your proxy. CLEARLY label your items. 

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📦 Packing, Labeling & Bin Prep

Q: How do I determine how much space my stuff is? / How do I calculate cubic feet?

A: Get a calculator and a tape measure. Measure length, width, and height in inches. Multiply the three numbers, then divide by 1728. That will give you your cubic footage. Or just use an online calculator tool. We sell by the cubic foot, not partial—so round up. 

Q: What kind of bins should I use?
A: We can accept any of the yellow-top bins, but the bins from Lowe’s (Project Source) are the best—they’re made a little bit stronger and just slightly larger than Home Depot or other bins. For convenience and easier math, the 27-gallon bins are considered 6 cu ft and are priced at $50 each.

Q: Can I use cardboard boxes?
A: Yes! Not everything fits into a bin. Securely tape and clearly label everything on all sides. That is priced by the cubic foot ($10 per cu ft in 2025)

Q: Can I store smaller bins inside larger ones?
A: Go right ahead, but you’ll be charged based on the total outer dimensions.

Q: Do I need to label the bin and the lid?
A: Yes. Your QR code MUST be on all of your bins / items so we can scan them. Label all sides and the lid for visibility. Decorate your bin and make it look unique. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re searching for your single bin in a sea of other black and yellow plastic.

Q: Should I label the inside of my bins?
A: Yes. Labels inside help if external ones fall off. Put another copy of your QR code here!

Q: What’s the best way to label my bins?
A: Write on your actual bin, don’t just tape a paper label on. We recommend paint markers on a clean bin. Write your information clearly on all sides, the lid, and somewhere inside your bin. If applicable, your camp name and on-playa address is also very useful.

Q: Should I add QR codes to bins?
A: Yes!! Your QR code is mandatory on *all* of your bins / items. They help us ID gear quickly. Use durable, waterproof tape, and cover all parts of the paper to protect it from tearing off. (Gorilla clear tape is pretty good). 

Q: Can I pack fragile or loose items?
A: Yes, but they must be securely packed. Use padding. Those bins shift, get stepped on, and sometimes fall down. They also have hundreds of pounds of all the other bins on top of them. Remember, we guarantee nothing—carefully pack items that could break.

Q: Can I pack tools or sharp objects?
A: Yes, but pad everything safely to prevent damage.

Q: Can I pack food or liquids?
A: Please don’t pack perishable food or anything that can spoil. Do you know how hot those containers get?? 120°F, easily. Purchase your perishables in Reno/last stop before BRC. It’s better that way. If you’re taking Burner Express Bus from Reno, the buses departing Reno at 10:00am Sunday, 1:00pm Saturday and Sunday, and 12:00pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday include a one-hour shopping stop at the Reno Save Mart at 525 Keystone Ave.

Q: Can I pack a cooler with drinks or ice?
A: A cooler? Absolutely yes. With ice? Just… why? Why ice? Think about that. Coolers without ice, leaky things, or perishable items: totally okay. In fact, some burners pack their gear or clothing or other things inside their coolers.

Q: Should I ship my water?
A: Technically you could, but… We very much do not recommend it and highly discourage this idea. Water is heavy, takes up a lot of space, and it’s just not financially worth it. Buy it in Reno, work it out with your camp, or take Burner Express Bus. The BXB offers an option for any BRC-bound rider to purchase water from them, and you do not need to pick it up all at once. 

Q: Can I pack my drugs in my bin?
A: We don’t use drugs and don’t know anyone who does. For serious. Don’t put illegal things on the container. For liability reasons, if we see it/smell it/discover it, it will be confiscated and discarded. Remember, while marijuana is legal in NYS and in Nevada, it’s still illegal federally and the containers are crossing state lines. 

In the unlikely—though possible—event that a container is searched by law enforcement, your illegal item will put the entire operation at risk. Imagine being the person responsible for the containers and everyone’s items never arriving at Burning Man? 

Q: Can I ship my bicycle?
A: Of course! But it must be boxed. This is to protect your bicycle from damage, and to keep it from damaging anything else, as well as to make stacking of items a lot easier. You know what Tetris is, right? Bike boxes are easily obtainable from your local bike shop. Ask them ahead of time with enough notice, because they might not have what you need immediately. 

Q: What if my bin cracks or breaks in transit?
A: We are not responsible for damage. Use sturdy containers, and don’t over- or under-pack a bin. Remember that your bins will get stepped on and climbed over, and the weight of other bins will be on top. If bins are packed appropriately, they will stack appropriately, and breaks are less likely to happen.

Q: Can I load an empty bin so I can bring my Reno stuff back to NYC?
A: As long as you’ve purchased enough space for the entire journey (we sell for round trip, not single direction), then yes. Bear in mind that an empty bin is at great risk of being damaged. Consider evenly dividing your items across all bins in use. 

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🔋 Batteries, E-Bikes & Fire Risk Gear

Q: Can I ship my e-bike?
A: Yes, but the same guidance applies AND the battery must be removed. E-bike batteries are a fire risk. We’ve all heard of batteries just randomly catching fire… now imagine those batteries in 120°F heat.

Q: So where does my battery go? / How do I ship batteries? / Can I ship a battery pack like a Jackery?
A: One of our Container Crew will be driving to Burning Man and is willing to transport batteries for a $50 fee (round trip). (Heavier batteries might cost more.) This is a special service from an individual and not from NYCCC. Other options: send your battery with a friend who is driving, or send it UPS or FedEx ground. DO NOT PACK YOUR BATTERIES IN YOUR BIN OR LEAVE IT INSIDE YOUR E-BIKE/ONEWHEEL.

Q: Can I ship my Onewheel or similar device?
A: Does the battery come out? Then yes. Is the battery non-removable? Then no, that is a fire risk. Talk to Container Crew about the separate battery shipping service.

Q: Can I pack propane or butane?
A: Absolutely not. No fuels or flammables allowed.

Q: Can I ship a generator?
A: If it is new and unused, then yes. If the generator has ever had fuel in it: It must be emptied completely. If we can smell fumes, it’s not going on the container. We reserve the right to deny shipment of any generator that is not brand new and clean. This goes for Re-Load on playa as well. It must pass the smell test and ultimately is up to the discretion of NYCCC crew. 

Q: Can I ship other fire-risk items?
A: Probably not. Check with us first—most are not allowed in bins.

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🏕️ Tents, Shiftpods & Large Gear

Q: Can I ship my ShiftPod in its original bag?
A: Yes, just measure its full size and label it clearly. Let’s say that again: Label 👏 It 👏 Clearly 👏   Every year, someone takes the wrong ShiftPod/Kodiak/etc. If you label the heck out of your stuff, it’s much more difficult for it to be mixed up.

Q: Do I need to box my large tent or structure?
A: No, but it must be bundled securely and labeled.

Q: Can I strap items together to count as one unit?
A: Yes, but the total outer dimensions will be charged.

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🧠 General “Wait, What About…” Questions

Q: What happens to my stuff if I don’t show up for Load Out?
A: It may be discarded as trash.

Q: What happens if my bin gets misplaced/lost?
A: Contact us with bin photos and labels—we’ll try to locate it. In most cases, it’s an honest mix-up or the item got moved. Help us help you and minimize risks by labeling your stuff, making it recognizable, taking photos, and remembering your container name. 

Q: Can I add last-minute items after Load In?
A: No. Load In is one day only. Plan ahead.

Q: Is there a limit to how much I can bring?
A: Only by how much you purchase in cubic feet and while space is still available for purchase.

Q: Can I track my bin or get updates during transit?
A: No live tracking. Updates, when we get them, are sent by email (and probably shared on Facebook).

Q: Is the container climate-controlled?
A: No. Expect extreme temperatures—pack accordingly.

Q: Can I get priority placement or reserve a corner?
A: No. Bins are stacked based on playa arrival date, fit, and space needs.