Finite element models for elastic thin-walled rectangular hollow section (RHS) struts with pre-defined local and global geometric imperfections are developed within the commercial package ABAQUS. A unified local imperfection measurement based on equal local bending energy is proposed. The effects of imperfect cross-section profiles, imperfection wavelength in the longitudinal direction and the degree of imperfection localization on the ultimate load and equilibrium path are investigated and the most severe imperfection profiles are determined. A parametric study on the wavelength of the most severe local imperfection profile is conducted and a semi-empirical equation to approximate the corresponding wavelength is proposed. Moreover, an equation to calculate the global buckling load of thin-walled RHS struts with tolerance level doubly-symmetric cross-section local imperfections is proposed.