If you’ve been searching for a 10 ft. shipping container, you’ve probably noticed three things:
- They’re almost always New/One-Trip only
- They’re significantly more expensive per foot than 20ft or 40ft containers
- They’re not available in every city all the time
At Container Sales Group, we want you to understand the market, so you know exactly what you’re buying and why the price and availability look so different for 10ft units.
1. There Is No Such Thing as a “Used” 10 ft Shipping Container in the Shipping Industry
Standard shipping containers used in global trade are 20 ft and 40 ft.
10 ft containers are not used for international shipping, which means:
- Steamship lines don’t use them for ocean export
- They never enter the global shipping pool
- They cannot be retired as “used” like 20 ft or 40 ft units
Because 10 ft. containers are never part of the shipping fleet, no natural supply of used units exists. Every 10 ft. container must be manufactured new. The only time a “used” 10 ft. appears on the market is when a private owner resells a container they originally purchased as new.
This is the #1 reason all 10 ft containers are “New/One-Trip” only.
2. 10 ft Containers Are Specialty Builds — Not Mass-Produced
20 ft and 40 ft containers are produced by the millions.
10 ft units, by contrast, are built in very small batches at the factory.
Low production volume means:
- Higher manufacturing cost per unit
- Higher freight and handling fees
- Limited inventory shipped to the U.S.
- Not every depot receives stock on every vessel cycle
Manufacturers prioritize high-volume sizes (20s & 40s).
So 10 ft containers are treated as specialty equipment, not standard stock.
3. They Cost More Per Foot Because Transporting Them Is Less Efficient
Shipping a 40 ft or a 20 ft container is cost-efficient for factories and shipping lines.
But a 10ft container is:
- Shorter
- Not stack-efficient
- More expensive to transport per cubic foot
Carriers charge almost the same shipping cost to bring a 10 ft to the U.S. as they do for a 20 ft. The container may be half the size, but the freight cost is nearly the same.
That’s why a 10 ft can cost close to a 20ft container sometimes even more depending on the market.
4. What About Duo-Cons? (The Closest Thing to “Used 10fts”)
A Duo-Con is a pair of 10ft containers that are manufactured as two halves of a 20ft, designed to lock together for overseas shipping.
Here’s how they work:
- Two 10ft units are built with connecting hardware
- They travel together as one 20ft container while new
- Once they arrive in the U.S., they can be separated into two individual 10ft boxes
Because Duo-Cons do ship one time, they can be categorized as:
- New/One-Trip 10fts (once separated), or
- A single 20ft Duo-Con (if kept paired)
But even Duo-Cons:
- Are specialty builds
- Have limited availability
- Still don’t create a “used” supply of 10ft units
Even if they enter the shipping cycle one time, they are not used repeatedly in international trade so they don’t age into a used market.
5. Why 10ft Containers Are Worth the Investment
Despite their price and rarity, 10ft containers remain popular because they offer:
- Secure, compact storage for residences, farms, construction sites, municipalities, and businesses
- Small footprint — easy to place on driveways, alleys, tight yards, urban lots
- Durable steel construction
- Weatherproof protection
- Easy relocation with a small tilt-bed truck
They’re a favorite among customers who need “just enough space,” without committing to a 20ft.
Where To Find 10 ft New One Trip Containers?
If you’re looking for a 10 ft. shipping container, availability is extremely limited. At Container Sales Group, we stock 10 ft. units only in the Chicago area. Because these containers must be manufactured new and are rarely produced in large numbers, most regions never see consistent supply. Chicago remains one of the few markets where you can reliably supply new/one-trip10 ft. shipping containers with local delivery.
If you’re considering a 10 ft container or exploring Duo-Con options, our team can walk you through pricing, availability, and delivery times in your area. Call us at 888-320-5938 or request an instant quote online.