Wondering How Much Shipping Containers Cost?
Our experience at Container Sales Group is that when the phone rings, most of the time, the first thing people ask is “How much does a shipping container cost?” What potential buyers are looking for is a simple answer. Unfortunately, the reality of shipping container pricing is anything but simple.
If you’re looking for ballpark figures, currently, the following ranges hold true:
- Used shipping containers range from $1,200 to $3,500 each
- New, one-trip shipping containers can cost anywhere from $2,800 to $7,800 each
- Specialty equipment, like double doors on both ends of a container, or open-sided containers, are priced much higher and in some cases are in very limited supplies.
But where the price ultimately will fall for you depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Size and type
- Condition and usage history
- Modifications or customizations
- Manufacturer
- Location, shipping destination, and delivery date
- Bulk orders
Container Size & Type
Shipping container types and sizes vary drastically and there are benefits and detriments to each depending on the customer and their intended usage scenario. Standard containers are all 8’ 6” high x 8’ wide. High Cube containers are all 9’ 6” high x 8’ wide. Length of containers are typically 20 ft. or 40 ft., but can be as long as 45 ft..
There are too many price variables to list all out, so for simplicity’s sake we’re going to stick to standard sizes in this article as that is what most customers are looking for.
The price of a 20ft. used standard container versus a 40ft. used standard container can be the difference of about 34%.
Condition & Usage History
The condition of a shipping container isn’t as easy as saying “new” or “used” most of the time. There are literally dozens of factors that can wildly push the price in one direction or another and therefore it is vital to work with an experienced professional that can vet these factors that might otherwise go unnoticed by a novice buyer.
New
New containers aren’t necessarily new in the sense you might think. They are not manufactured and delivered directly to you. These “new” containers are known as “one-trip” or “one-way” containers. There are containers were built overseas and literally loaded one time to transport cargo to the United States.
Used
Used containers are normally 10 to 15 years of age and if you want to save money on an older model, you’ll need to know how to buy a used container and what to look for.
There are three main classifications of used containers, each of which affect price:
- Water/Wind Tight inspected containers are usually retired from moving cargo overseas and are sold for storage and building needs.
- Cargo Worthy inspected containers are typically used for transporting cargo overseas or they be used for storage and building purposes when customers need a stronger container.
- IICL-inspected containers are units that are 2-7 years of age and have the same Cargo Worthy standards required for ocean export but are newer and more expensive.
Generally, the price of 20ft. used standard containers versus 20ft. new, one-trip containers can be around 77% higher, so depending on your budget, there could be a clear winner in terms of condition.
Modifications or Customizations
Customization options include refrigerated, insulated walls, raised flooring system, power outlets throughout the container, air conditioning units attached to roof compartments, or exterior doors with ductwork running through the interior compartments.
If you plan to make customizations to your shipping container, know that it will be more expensive to modify a container that is in poor condition vs. a new/one-trip shipping container. For information on modifying in Chicago or Houston, call us at 708 639-4783
Location, Shipping Destination & Delivery Time
Shipping container prices will vary based on your location in the United States and where the container depot facility is located. Some areas cost more in price for the same size of container. Prices are based on what depot facility the steamship line off-hires their equipment. Also, prices will vary depending on the depot location and if they have to transport containers in from major cities to a depot closer to you.
Delivery is normally with a tilt body truck (roll-off) for 200 miles or less. For longer delivery distance, over 200 miles, a flatbed truck is used requiring he customer to lift the container off at the time of arrival. The average lead time during the slow season could be 3 – 5 business day and during the busy season 1 – 2 weeks. Containers that are modified/ fabricated may incur a longer lead time than average. Delivery is only scheduled Monday through Friday.
Moving loaded shipping containers requires not only the cost of the moving truck to your location, but the equipment to load and off load your container that is filled with your household goods, industrial equipment, etc.
You may be looking at:
Delivery 500 miles
20 ft. weighing 18,000 lbs. between $ 3,800 – $ 4,500
40 ft. weighing 18,000 lbs. between $4,100 – $ 8,000
Delivery 1,000 miles
20 ft. weighing 18,000 lbs. between $ 4,500 – $ 8,500
40 ft. weighing 18,000 lbs. between $ 6,600 – $10,000
The Cost To Rent VS Purchase
If you rent a shipping container, it could cost you $ 100 – $ 500 depending on the location, size of container and length of time you need it. The longer you plan to rent the container, the more beneficial it is to buy it since you can always resell it.
Price of a Shipping Container Home
The average cost to build a shipping container home is around $10,000 to $35,000, while larger homes can cost up to $175,000. The cost of building a container home will also increase based on size of the shipping containers used and your desired amenities and materials used.
Prefab Container Homes are composed of 1 to 8, 20-foot shipping containers that can be easily assembled. The exterior walls can be chosen in white, wood color, or black. The doors can be selected as regular or glass and there is also an option of a roll-up door. These prefab shipping container homes can cost you between $32,000 – $ 50,000. The prices only reflect the cost for picking up from Los Angeles. Shipping fees to other locations will be calculated separately. Prices do not include installation fees, which are priced at $700 per unit. Delivery generally takes approximately 30-40 days to your location. Call Container Sales Group at 708-639-4783 to learn more.
How To Save Money When Purchasing a Container
Beware of Phony Sellers or Scammers
The easiest way to lose money when purchasing is falling for shipping container scams. Most people get multiple quotes and go with the lowest-priced vendor. If the quote is much less than other providers this is something you should investigate further by checking the company out online and look at their customer reviews or better yet asking for a couple of customer references.
Also, when a vendor offers a “warranty”, make sure to get a copy of the details, particularly around who is paying for the delivery back to the repair facility and then back to you.
Another red flag is a vendor that promises lightning-fast shipping, especially during the buy time frames of Spring or Fall.
If your vendor cannot answer all your questions, or provide you with customer references, these are all red flags. And at the end of the day, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
Experience = Savings
The easiest way to save money is to purchase through an experienced seller like Container Sales Group who has great customer service & quality shipping containers. We save customers money as we buy our shipping containers directly from the Steamship Companies and we pass the cost savings on to you.
At Container Sales Group, we have been selling Shipping Containers for over 25+ years to major corporations like Ford Motor Company, Ace Hardware, Bobcat, Union Pacific, Walsh Construction, and Cirque du Soleil to schools and universities across the country like Northern Illinois University and Purdue University.
If you want to have a positive experience and feel confident in your shipping container vendor from start to finish, request a quote on our website or call our office at 708 639-4783.
