How Much Does it Cost to Buy a 40' Shipping Container?
Used shipping containers are sold at the end of their useful life, and 40' shipping containers are the most common. Used 40' containers start as low as $1,750, but can cost as much as $3,500 in markets where supply is scarce. One trip 40' containers, which are like new, can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $7,900, depending on availability. However, with the current global container shortage of 2021-22, we've seen prices more than double those averages in many markets...
How Do you Buy 40' Shipping Containers?
Not sure how the process works...? Watch this video to better understand where the shipping containers come from. And be sure to check out the sample photos before you buy.
How to Buy a Shipping Container:
You Choose Container Specs
First select the size, condition, and door direction that meet your needs, then add your selections to the cart and checkout in our secure payment portal. Make sure to check out the sample photos before you buy. Your container is guaranteed not to leak, and comes with a 30-day money back guarantee (less trucking costs). Every container we sell is also backed by our one year warranty.
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 middle-men. 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). Color cannot be selected.
Pick-up: 2-3 Business Days
Delivery: 4-7 Business Days
After you order, we'll be in touch within one business day to confirm your order and coordinate the logistics. To ensure everyone's safety, only customers with the proper equipment should select intermodal depot pick-up (please allow 2-3 business days for release information). Delivery is optional and calculated at checkout by zip code. Contact us with any questions, we're always happy to help.
Things to Know Before You Order a 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 are Big, and We Need Space to Deliver
Our haulers need 80' of additional space in order to deliver a 40' shipping container (120' of total space), plus room for the truck to maneuver. Please make sure you've got space for delivery. 20' shipping containers are delivered on a different size truck, and so we only need an additional 55' of space (75' of total space) to deliver 20' containers.
The Trucks are Heavy, and Need a Firm Surface
The truck that delivers you 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).
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.
Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications
Shipping containers are held to very specific dimensional standards to ensure they can be safely stacked on top of, and below, any other shipping container in the world. Standard shipping containers are 8' wide, and are measured in TEU's (twenty-foot equivalent units). Ocean cargo containers are held to a rigid standard to ensure that there are no issues during shipping. Each intermodal shipping container (sometimes called "conex" containers) must be able to not only stack perfectly on a cargo ship, but also lock into chassis trailers safely and securely stack on rail cars. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets the standards for shipping container dimensions (via ISO 668).
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.
We've Got a Lot of Happy Customers
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 the standard PODS storage containers. PODS now offers a an all-steel 16 ft container.
PODS Will Move Loaded Containers, We Won't...
While Western Container Sales offers steel storage containers in sizes up to 40' in length, PODS offers smaller, 8', 12' and 16' storage units with aluminum and plastic exteriors, in addition to a 16' all-steel container option. Steel shipping containers are difficult to load/unload without the heavy equipment found at ports and depots, but PODS units are small enough to be easily managed with light duty lifts. Western Container Sales does not move loaded units, so if you need your container moved after it's loaded PODS or similar companies might be a better option. However, if you need storage at your location we offer larger, all steel containers. Our cost per square foot is almost always lower, as well.
Get a 10% Discount With PODS
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.
What Makes Western Container Sales Different?
We're one of the largest buyers of used shipping containers in North America. By working directly with some of the largest intermodal shipping container companies in the world, we help our customers leverage our buying power and quality standards to buy quality shipping containers for sale at a fair price. We also believe in providing up-front and transparent pricing. We're proud to have helped thousands of customers buy conex containers and rent storage containers throughout North America.
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.