Buying a shipping container may seem like an easy task, but there are countless factors to consider to ensure you end up with the right fit for your needs. Whether you are buying a new or used shipping container for transportation purposes or exploring other shipping container uses like building a house or business, learning the process and common tips for how to buy a shipping container is crucial before you get started.
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Steps for How to Buy a Shipping Container
What to Look for When Buying a Shipping Container
The Cheapest Way to Buy Shipping Containers
Need help with how to buy a shipping container?
Steps for How to Buy a Shipping Container
Whether you’re seeking a shipping container for efficient storage, building projects, or international export, knowing how to choose—and who to buy from—can make the difference between a solid investment and an expensive mistake.
Shipping containers (also known as Conex boxes or storage containers) have become increasingly popular over the past decade—not just for storage, but for homes, offices, garages, workshops, and more. Their durable Cor-Ten steel structure makes them an ideal solution for secure, weather-resistant, long-term use.
Container Sales Group has been a trusted provider of New, Used & Specialized containers across the United States since 1998. We make the buying process simple, transparent, and personalized.
Here’s your simple, step-by-step guide to buying a shipping container the right way:
Step 1: Determine Your Needs
Start by clarifying how you’ll use your container:
- Secure Storage– Use for on-site storage at construction sites, farms, schools, or commercial facilities.
- Building– Ideal for converting into pop-up shops, mobile offices, tiny homes, classrooms, and more.
- Export & International Shipping- Choose Cargo Worthy containers for international shipping that meet global transport standards.
Working with a reputable dealer like Container Sales Group ensures you get a quality container, honest pricing, and expert support. CALL NOW FOR A QUOTE- 888 320-5938
Step 2: Choose the Right Shipping Container
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
When purchasing a shipping container, one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether to choose a New (one-trip) or Used container. Next, you’ll need to determine the right size based on your cargo volume or the space needed for a container conversion project. The two most common sizes for standard containers are 20ft and 40ft, and suppliers like Container Sales Group also offer 40ft. High Cube and 45ft. High Cube containers if you need extra vertical space.
Condition-
- New/One-Trip Containers
- These containers have only been used once to ship cargo from overseas.
- They’re in excellent condition with minimal wear, making them ideal if you’re planning to ship goods, modify the container (for a home, office, or retail use), or want it to look clean and professional.
- New/One-Trip Specialty Containers
- New containers are also available in specialty formats—like open-side, double-door, and high-cube models—great for unique applications that need more access or space.
- Used/Wind & Water-Tight Containers
- Used containers are more budget-friendly and still strong and secure.
- They may have some dents, surface rust, or signs of age but are great for general storage or construction projects.
- Most used containers are Wind & Watertight (WWT), which means they’re sealed from water and weather.
- Used Cargo Worthy Containers For Export
- If you’re planning to ship goods overseas using a used container, it must be Cargo Worthy (CW). This means it’s been inspected and certified to meet international shipping standards.
- New one-trip containers are automatically Cargo Worthy, but used containers need a formal inspection before export.
Common Shipping Container Sizes-
20-Foot Standard Container
• Exterior Dimensions: 20 ft. long x 8 ft. wide x 8 ft. 6 in. high
• Approx. 1,170 cubic feet of storage space
• Great for smaller storage needs, job sites, or space-limited areas
40-Foot Standard Container
• Exterior Dimensions: 40 ft. long x 8 ft. wide x 8 ft. 6 in. high
• Approx. 2,390 cubic feet of storage space•Ideal for storing large equipment, inventory, or supplies
40-Foot High Cube Container
• Exterior Dimensions: 40 ft. long x 8 ft. wide x 9 ft. 6 in. high
• Approx. 2,700 cubic feet of storage space
• Offers extra height for tall items, shelving, or custom builds
If your cargo is unusually large, delicate, or requires easy access, a standard shipping container might not be the best fit. In these cases, specialty containers are designed to meet specific needs. Some of the most common types include:
- Open Top Containers replace a typical solid roof with a tarp. This still keeps freight protected and dry, but provides extra flexibility for top-loading and transporting oversized or abnormally shaped cargo such as timber.
- Open Side Containers also called “full access containers – allow quick and easy access to cargo through the larger opening. This makes them fantastic for long-term storage where you may not want to dig through every item to get to something in the back. They are also great for restaurant or bar conversions.
- Double Door Containers feature doors that open on each short end of the container, providing extra flexibility for loading and unloading cargo. They also provide flexibility to partition the space to transport two different types of freight in one container.
- Flat Rack Containers have only two short sides and no top, offering ultimate versatility for transporting items of all shapes and sizes. These shipping containers also make it easier to load and unload cargo.
Step 3: Verify Delivery Space & Prep the Ground for Delivery
It’s essential not only to verify the delivery space but also to choose an ideal location for your shipping container. The chosen site should have a solid, level surface that is well-drained—such as asphalt, gravel, or a concrete pad. This is especially crucial for a 40ft container so that its doors can open and close properly. For additional support, you might consider placing railroad ties or wood blocks under each of the four corner posts. Typically, this setup is handled by two people at the time the container slides off the back of the truck during delivery.
It is important to make sure your site is ready for a safe and smooth delivery. Each delivery method requires a certain amount of clear, level space for drop-off. Taking the time to measure your site ahead of time can help avoid delays, extra fees, or complications on delivery day.
Delivery Under 300 Miles– We will use a tilt-bed (roll-off) truck, which slides the container off the back.
Delivery Over 300 Miles– A flatbed truck is used. You’ll need equipment to offload the container.
Required Delivery Recommendationsfor Tilt-Bed (roll-off-truck)–
- 20ft shipping containers need 50ft of straight-line space
- 40ft shipping containers or 2 x 20 ft. shipping containers (moved together) need 150ft of straight-line space
- 12ft width clearance (no low-hanging wires or trees)
- 16ft height needed (at time of delivery when container slides off back of truck)
- Level, solid ground surface, gravel, asphalt, or cement
Before purchasing a shipping container, check if a permit is required in your area. Permit requirements vary by city, county, and state.
Step 4: Requesting a Quote and Invoice from Container Sales Group
To get a fast, accurate quote on a shipping container from Container Sales Group, simply call us, email, or submit a quote request form on our website. Your quote will include the full cost of the shipping container and, if needed, a delivery fee based on your location. At Container Sales Group, pride ourselves on providing transparent pricing with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what you’re paying for before you place your order.
To place your order, we’ll need:
- Your Name & Company Name
- Delivery address & Billing Address
- Delivery Contacts
- Door Direction Preference: Container facing Rear of truck (container doors slides off first) or facing Cab of truck (container doors slides off last)
Step 5: Make Payment
We offer multiple secure payment options. Payment can be via Credit Card, ACH or Check.
Once your payment is complete, our team will help you schedule the shipping container delivery or provide you with the information needed for container pick-up at a local depot.
Step 6: Schedule Your Shipping Container Delivery or Pick-Up
- Local shipping container delivery (within 100 miles): A tilt-body (roll-off) truck will typically deliver your container within 3–7 business days.
- Long-distance container delivery (over 100 miles): A flatbed truck is used. Please note: You will need equipment on-site to unload the container at the time of delivery.
- Container pick-up at depot: You’ll receive a release number, which authorizes your carrier to retrieve your shipping container from the depot.
Container Sales Group | Quality Container Guarantee
At Container Sales Group, every shipping container we sell—whether New/One-Trip, Used, or Cargo Worthy—comes backed by our Quality Container Guarantee. Each unit is thoroughly inspected by experienced professionals at our depot facilities to ensure it meets our high standards for structural integrity and functionality.
As part of our commitment to honesty and transparency, we ask that customers inspect the container alongside the driver at the time of delivery to confirm its condition matches the description provided.
If any issue arises that falls under our Quality Container Guarantee, we’ll address it promptly and professionally. We stand behind every container with honest pricing, reliable service, and a guarantee you can trust.
Prepping the Ground
What to Look for When Buying a Shipping Container
1. Paint And Markings
Most New/One-Trip shipping containers have a solid color. On the other hand, the used containers are usually painted with colors that reflect the shipping line’s branding. Some containers may also bear the shipping line’s logo and name. Based on how long the shipping container has been in service, moving cargo overseas, may affect the quality of the paint.
2. Condition Of The Container
As you might expect, a New/One Trip shipping container will have only been moved once (from the factory overseas to the United States) and is unlikely to be damaged. New/One-Trip shipping containers have been built to the highest standards. The rigors of shipping might cause a few signs of wear, but for the most part, these one trip containers are in great condition.
When you purchase used containers, on the other hand, you’ll need to pay more attention to the condition to ensure it meets your anticipated needs. Used containers have been in service, moving cargo, for 10-15 years and will have different levels of exterior blemishes. You will need to see sample pictures to the condition are you purchasing to make sure that the used condition will work for your needs. If budget is preventing you from purchasing a New/One Trip container, you can always consider painting a used container which will not only make the container look nicer but extend the lifetime of the unit.
3. Security And Transportation
A shipping container lock box is one of the simplest ways to secure your shipping container. A lock box is a device that is installed on the doors of the container and provides a secure house which makes the external pad lock inaccessible from all sides so it can’t be removed with bolt cutters. Today, most New/One-Trip shipping containers are built with external lock boxes on the double doors which is a nice feature. However, if you have a used container without a box, you can easily have a lock box welded on at any time for additional protection.
Most shipping containers are very portable especially when they have forklift pockets, which are invaluable to contractors or yard workers who need to move these conex boxes around. While 20ft New/One-Trip and Used shipping containers often come with forklift pockets, not all 40ft containers have them. Depending the on manufacturer, you may be able to find a New or Used 40ft container with forklift pockets due to the weight and size of these units so it is best to use a crane to move them.
Finally, shipping containers are delivered locally with a tilt body (roll off) truck and for long distance with a flatbed truck (which require a heavy piece of equipment to offload the container to the ground).
4. Reputation of the Company
When purchasing a shipping container, it is important not only to look at the quality of the container itself but the quality and reputation of the company you are buying from.
Be sure the company inspects and guarantees the container in the condition that you are purchasing. You can find this out by doing research on the company to get an idea of recent reviews from customers to see if the quality and service match your expectations . Companies like Container Sales Group buy containers directly from the steamship lines and tend to offer much more competitive pricing to customers. We also have been selling shipping containers since 1998 across the United States and our customer reviews can give you an idea of what to expect from our company throughout the container purchasing experience.
The Cheapest Way to Buy Shipping Containers
Tight budget? Looking to get the best possible deal on a shipping container? Follow these tips to learn how to buy shipping containers as cost-effectively as possible:
- Buy used: This doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing the condition of your container; in fact, that’s just about the last thing you should do, particularly if you plan to use your container to carry precious cargo. However, cargo containers are strong and built to last, so if you can get a used container in good condition, you’ll likely save a good chunk of change without sacrificing on quality.
- Work with a company that buys direct: Companies like Container Sales Group buy shipping containers direct from the steamship lines to offer our customers the highest quality container at the most competitive prices.
- Save on delivery costs: Companies like Container Sales Group buy shipping containers direct from the steamship lines to offer our customers the highest quality container at the most competitive prices.
Need help with how to buy a shipping container?
Container Sales Group has been in business of selling new & used shipping container sales since 1998. We offer quality containers around the United States at the most competitive prices while also offering industry-leading customer support. Contact us for a quote or call today at 888-320-5938.
