Every container we sell comes with our guarantee.
Just a few of the customers who have trusted us with their container needs:
Read real customer reviews and see more of the companies we've worked with here.
Shipping Container Prices Vancouver, BC:
Please contact us for volume discounts.
COMING SOON...
We're in the final stages of ensuring we can provide a high level of service to customers in Vancouver, BC. This page will display live pricing the moment we begin offering service in Canada. Check back in the coming weeks for updates, and please feel free to contact us with any questions.
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.
Space Needed for Shipping Container Ground Level Delivery
In order for the driver to be able to safely deliver your container, we'll need an additional 60' of space for the truck and trailer on 40' containers (100' total to deliver a 40' container), and we'll need an additional 40' of space for 20' container (60' total to delivery 20' containers). The truck will be 10' wide, and we'll need an additional foot of space on each side to safely maneuver (12' wide minimum), and will be 13'6" tall when loaded (and up to 16' high when tipped at delivery). Please make sure you've got enough space to deliver your container, and always feel free to contact us with any questions on your site.
Please Ensure You Have a Hard Surface For Delivery
Containers are Delivered in 4-7 Business Days
Make Sure You Have Enough Room for Delivery:
Things to Know Before You Buy:
We've Got a Lot of Happy Customers
Shipping Container Conditions
Shipping Container Grades
Used 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.
No matter the grade, every container we sell is guaranteed to be structurally sound, and comes with our one year warranty.
One Trip Containers
One Trip shipping containers are "like new" and have been used on one ocean-going trip on a cargo ship. They are generally 1-2 years old, and are in excellent structural condition, and look great (but may still have a dent here and there).
CWO - Cargo Worthy
A used shipping container can still be classified as cargo worthy (CWO) if it meets the standards set forth by the International Maritime Organization to be stacked while loaded on a cargo ship. All CWO grade containers will have surface rust.
WWT - Wind & Water Tight
Wind & Water Tight (WWT) containers are often used as storage containers. While they can no longer be stacked 7-high while loaded, they are still structurally sound and weather tight. All WWT containers can be repaired to CWO.
Every Container We Sell Comes with Our Guarantee
Shipping Container Dimensions:
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).
PLEASE NOTE: Dimensions may vary slightly, based on manufacturer. But these numbers should be very close.
A Brief History of the Shipping Container
Prior to the 1950's, loading a cargo ship was a laborious process where cargo was loaded piece by piece onto a ship. During the Korean War, the US military developed the "Container Express" box system to make transporting supplies simpler. The term "Conex" comes from that system, and Conex is still synonymous with shipping containers to this day. There were also a large variety of different container systems in use prior to the 1950's, but each shipping container was still very different from company to company, and not easily interchangeable.
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.
A sticker or plate to identify such things as High Cube containers, hazardous cargo, or other such labels. High Cube shipping containers will also have yellow decals at the top of the frame on each end, to make the extended height more noticeable. High Cube containers have an outside height of 9'6" (one foot taller than standard shipping containers, which are 8'6" tall).
How Do you Buy Shipping Containers in Vancouver, BC?
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.
Prefer to Rent Storage Containers?
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 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.
How Do Steel Storage Containers Compare to PODS?
Compare Western Container Sales 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 fiberglass, aluminum and plastic, and designed to be moved while loaded. In contrast, Western Container Sales rentals are re-purposed used shipping containers (all steel construction, with wood floors over steel cross members). Overall, steel shipping containers are a heavy duty alternative to PODS storage containers.
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. 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.
We know what a hassle it can be to call for a shipping container quote. Or 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, our shipping container prices are posted online. 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.
