Buy 20ft Shipping Containers

Buying shipping
containers explained.

20 Foot Shipping Containers for Sale Nationwide

3d view of a red 20 foot steel shipping container for sale, used shipping container for sale, conex container prices, steel shipping containers for sale

How Much Does it Cost to Buy a 20ft Shipping Container

Used shipping containers are sold at the end of their useful life, and are counted in TEU’s (twenty-foot equivalent units). Used 20′ containers normally start as low as $1,500, but can cost as much as $2,900 in markets where supply is scarce. One-trip 20ft container prices are anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000, depending on availability.

During container shortages, you may see prices more than double those averages in many markets.

How to Get Started

How to Buy a 20-foot Shipping Container

Buying a 20′ shipping container is a seamless process with our efficient system. Our streamlined approach guarantees a hassle-free experience, allowing you to book and receive delivery of your 20′ storage container within a matter of days.

two 40 foot shipping containers in blue and red stacked, used shipping containers for sale stacked at intermodal depot, used 40ft shipping containers for sale

We Source Your Shipping Container

Then we source your shipping containers directly from intermodal cargo circulation. We work directly with the largest intermodal container suppliers, so you avoid paying unnecessary middlemen.  After your order is placed, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You then get the next container off the stack that meets your criteria. We guarantee the doors, floors, and roof (but not the cosmetic condition). Unfortunately, the color of your container cannot be selected, however, if you buy more than one container we do our best to ensure that they are all the same color for uniformity. 

Things to Know Before You Order a 20ft Shipping Container

There are a few things to consider before you order a container, the most important is to be ready for delivery. We deliver containers on a roll-off trailer, so you won’t need a forklift or a crane to unload at delivery, but you’ll need to make sure you’ve got enough space for delivery and that your site is ready for the truck.

The Trucks Need Plenty of Space to Deliver a Shipping Container

We need 75′ of additional space in order to deliver a 20′ shipping container (75′ of total space), plus room for the truck to maneuver. Please make sure you’ve got space for delivery.

shipping container delivery graphic showing how much space is needed to deliver a 20ft container and a 40ft container, used shipping container delivery, ground level shipping container delivery

The Trucks are Heavy and Need a Firm Surface

The truck that delivers your container could weigh over 45,000-pounds. If we’re delivering on a soft surface (such as dirt or grass) please make sure your site can handle a heavy truck.

Plan on Delivery in 4-7 Business Days

We’ll coordinate with professional local haulers and be in touch with your delivery date within 1 business day of your order being placed (the driver will call when they’re en route). If you have a specific date you need the delivery to be made, this can be arranged during the checkout process on our online portal.

Used Shipping Containers are “Next Off Stack”

Please note that used containers are next off the stack at the intermodal depot, and color cannot be selected. Make sure to check out the sample photos prior to placing your order.

an infographic describing the used shipping container conditions

Used Shipping Container Conditions

Used 20ft shipping containers come in a wide variety of conditions. The most common are One Trip, Cargo Worthy (CWO), and Wind & Water Tight (WWT). There are also “As Is” Containers, which we do not sell because they are usually damaged, and thus cannot be guaranteed. As well as containers repaired to IICL (Institute of International Container Lessors) standards.

While we don’t offer IICL containers as an option, we do sometimes sell IICL condition containers. Our experience has been that containers repaired to IICL standards are in excellent structural condition, but don’t look cosmetically different than CWO or WWT containers (and, due to dents often being patched/welded instead of simply pounded out, IICL containers can sometimes look less visually appealing than their wind and water tight or cargo worthy counterparts.

Please Note: All used containers will have rust/dents. Make sure to check out the sample photos prior to making your purchase. No matter the grade, every container we sell is guaranteed to be structurally sound and comes with our three-year warranty.

Images of 20′ Shipping Containers

Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications

You can find the internal and external shipping container dimensions for every size container we sell on this page. There’s also more information about shipping containers, for instance, what’s listed on intermodal shipping container doors is standardized so that the container can be handled at any port in the world. From the manufacturer information on the CSC plate to the size & capacity information, to the container identification number, everything is standardized on a shipping container. Furthermore, to ensure the same equipment can safely handle the containers anywhere in the world, shipping containers are held to a very specific set of specifications and dimensions.

More Information About Shipping Containers

The information listed on intermodal shipping container doors is standardized so that the container can be handled at any port in the world. From the manufacturer information on the CSC plate, to the size & capacity information, to the container identification number, everything is standardized on a shipping container. Furthermore, to ensure the same equipment can safely handle the containers anywhere in the world, shipping containers are held to a very specific set of specifications and dimensions.

western container sales logomark

The Western Container Sales & Rentals

Difference

Why Don’t We Make You Call for a Shipping Container Quote?

We know what a hassle it can be to call for a shipping container quote, as well as how annoying it can be to fill out a form on what appears to be a conex container rental site and consequently be bombarded with salespeople from third party companies because your information was sold as a lead.  Unlike the big guys, we offer shipping containers for sale online with prices posted on our website.  Why do we do this when other companies won’t? Simple, we know our prices are fair, and well below what you’d see with our large corporate competitors.

Western Container Sales will get you a fair price for a used shipping container sourced directly from global intermodal equipment providers, pulled from their inventories at your nearest intermodal depot. Because the containers were recently moving cargo, we know they won’t leak and we guarantee it.  Check out our current shipping container prices (please note they do change with inventory levels). We also make renting steel storage containers just as easy, with our online rental order form.

How Do Steel Storage Containers Compare to PODS?

The largest nationwide portable storage company is PODS (Portable On Demand Storage). While both PODS and Western Container Sales offer nationwide portable storage rentals, there are some key differences.

Primarily that PODS containers are smaller, lighter units that are made from a combination of steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and plastic, and designed to be moved while loaded.  In contrast, our rentals are re-purposed used shipping containers (all steel construction, with wood floors over steel cross members). Overall, steel shipping containers are a larger and heavy-duty alternative to standard PODS storage containers. PODS now offers an all-steel 16 ft container.

Get a 10% Discount with PODS


We don’t offer moving service, but we’ve partnered with PODS to offer their services to our customers that need moving and storage. Use the link below to get a 10% discount with PODS.

FAQs

What is the average cost of a 20 ft shipping container?

You can expect to pay between between $1,500 and $3,500 for a used 20 ft shipping container. Pricing depends on how far you are located from an intermodal shipping container depot, and the scarcity of containers at the time your order is placed.

How many cars can fit in a 20 ft container?

A 20-foot container can fit up to 2 cars or SUVs inside. If you are using your container as a garage or car storage facility, note that one 20 ft container will hold up to 2 vehicles.

How much can you fit in a 20-foot container?

The storage space in a 20 ft shipping container is 32.6 cubic meters or 1,172 cubic feet. Note that you will need space to maneuver around in the container, so you will likely not be able to use all of that space for storage.