lower end of the elongate locking bar 16 when the doors are latched in the closed position the locking bar receptacles are comprised of slots 50 cut in the upper and lower interior door frame 11 and 34 u 34 shaped channels 52 mounted in slots 50 alternatively hasps attached to the interior frame can be used to receive and hold the locking bars in place in the manner known in the art however hasps lack the principle advantage of the locking bar receptacles 48 of the preferred embodiment shown in that they are located on the outside of the container and therefore susceptible to attack in the event it is desired to break into the container the locking bar receptacles 48 of the preferred embodiment confer an additional advantage on the locking mechanism of the present invention specifically as the ends of locking bars 16 are raised or lowered into the 34 u 34 shaped channel 52 by moving handle 24 in the manner described below if the locking bars are not properly aligned for insertion the force imposed by the channel on the portion of the frame surrounding the slot 50 enables the frame to flex enough to securely receive the locking bars 16 because the containers used for shipping freight by land air and sea experience significant wear and tear through repeated use the advantage achieved.