Buyer guides
Conex & Shipping Container Buying Guides
Plain-English guides to choosing, pricing, inspecting and placing a conex box, from the team that sells and delivers them.
-
Shipping Containers for Sale: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Everything to know before you buy a shipping container: sizes, types, new vs. used grades, prices, delivery, permits and how to avoid scams.
-
How to Read a Shipping Container Listing: Grades, Specs & Hidden Fees
Decode a shipping container listing: size and grade abbreviations, the specs that matter, the photos to expect, and the fees that change the real price.
-
Used Container Grades Explained: Cargo-Worthy, Wind & Watertight, As-Is
What cargo-worthy, wind and watertight, IICL and as-is mean, who decides a used container's grade, and which grade fits storage, shipping or a conversion.
-
12 Condition Red Flags When Buying a Used Shipping Container
Twelve signs a used shipping container has real problems, from roof dents and floor rot to door damage and bent frames, and which ones are deal-breakers.
-
How to Buy a Shipping Container in 7 Steps, From Quote to Delivery
A step-by-step guide to buying a shipping container: choosing size and grade, getting delivered quotes, paying safely and preparing for delivery.
-
What Fits in a 20ft Container? Pallets, Cars & Household Loads
How much fits in a 20ft shipping container: pallet counts, household rooms, vehicles and equipment, plus the interior size and weight limits to plan around.
-
New vs. Used Containers: Cost, Lifespan & Resale Compared
New one-trip vs. used shipping containers compared on price, condition, lifespan and resale value, and which one suits storage, shipping or a conversion.
-
How Long Does a Second-Hand Shipping Container Last?
How long a second-hand shipping container lasts on land, what wears out first, how to tell a container's age, and the simple maintenance that adds years.
-
Shipping Container Scams: How to Buy Used Containers Safely
How shipping container scams work, the warning signs (prices far too low, wire-only payment, stolen photos) and the checks that protect your money.
-
Shipping Container Price Breakdown: Box, Grade, Delivery & Fees
Where your money goes when you buy a shipping container: the box, its grade and type, delivery, site fees, tax and add-ons, plus how to compare quotes.
-
Is There a Best Time to Buy? Container Price Seasons & Trends
How shipping container prices move through the year, what drives the swings, from trade flows to depot stock and factory output, and how to time your purchase.
-
Buying a Used Container Sight-Unseen: The Photos to Ask For
Buying a used shipping container without seeing it? The exact photos to ask for, how to judge them, and the details to get in writing before you pay.
-
Do You Pay Sales Tax on a Shipping Container?
When sales tax applies to buying or renting a shipping container, the common exemptions for nonprofits, resale and agriculture, and how to claim one.
-
Container Types Made Simple: 8 Styles Explained
Shipping container types explained simply: standard, high cube, open side, open top, reefer, insulated, flat rack and custom, and which one fits your job.
-
Renting vs. Buying a Container: When Does Buying Pay Off?
Should you rent or buy a shipping container? A simple break-even formula, the costs people forget on each side, and when rent-to-own makes sense.
-
How to Buy a Cheap Shipping Container Without Buying Junk
Where real savings on a shipping container come from, which corners are safe to cut for storage, and the cheap-container traps that cost more later.
-
Cheapest to Priciest: Container Grades Ranked by Value
Shipping container grades ranked from cheapest to most expensive, what each one gets you, and the best-value grade for storage, shipping and conversions.
-
What Is a One-Trip Container? Grading, Price & Who Should Buy One
What one-trip shipping containers are, why they're sold as new, what condition to expect, how their price compares, and who should buy one.
-
What Drives Second-Hand Container Prices? Age, Grade, Location & Market
Why second-hand shipping container prices vary so much: age, grade, size and type, local depot supply, global shipping demand and delivery distance.
-
20ft High Cube vs. Standard: Is the Extra Foot Worth It?
20ft high cube vs. standard containers compared: interior height, door size, capacity, weight and cost, and which one suits storage or a conversion.
-
20ft vs. 40ft Container: Which Size Should You Buy?
20ft vs. 40ft shipping containers: space, price per square foot, delivery room, weight and the jobs each size suits best, plus a quick decision guide.
-
10 Mistakes First-Time Shipping Container Buyers Make
Avoid the ten most common first-time shipping container buying mistakes, from the wrong size and grade to forgotten delivery space, permits and scams.
-
Used Shipping Container Inspection Checklist (Printable)
A printable used shipping container inspection checklist covering the exterior, roof, doors, seals, floor, interior and paperwork, with what passes and fails.
-
How Much Does a 20ft Container Weigh? Empty & Loaded
How much a 20ft shipping container weighs empty, its maximum gross weight and payload, high cube and reefer weights, and why weight matters for delivery.
-
Conex vs. Shipping Container: Same Box? The U.S. Army History of "CONEX"
Is a conex the same as a shipping container? Where the word CONEX came from, how the Army's boxes led to modern containers, and what it means today.
-
Shipping Container Sales Glossary: 40+ Terms Every Buyer Should Know
Plain-English definitions of 40+ shipping container terms from quotes and listings: HC, CW, WWT, CSC plates, tare weight, tilt-bed delivery and more.
-
Where to Buy Shipping Containers: Depots vs. Marketplaces vs. Local Dealers
Where to buy shipping containers: container dealers, depots, online marketplaces, auctions and private sellers compared on price, choice, delivery and risk.
-
What Is a Cargo-Worthy Container? Surveys, Certificates & When You Need One
What makes a container cargo-worthy, how cargo-worthy surveys and certificates work, the role of the CSC plate, and when you actually need a CW container.
-
Used Container Floors: Soft Spots, Stains & When to Replace
How to check the floor of a used shipping container, what soft spots, stains and delamination mean, how floors are treated, and when to repair or replace.
-
Buying a Shipping Container as a Homeowner: HOA Rules, Permits & Delivery
A homeowner's guide to buying a shipping container: HOA rules and permits, choosing a size for your yard, planning delivery and keeping neighbors happy.
-
Will a 20ft Container Fit My Property? Space & Truck Access
How much space a 20ft shipping container needs on your property, plus the truck access, overhead clearance and ground conditions needed to deliver it.
-
Shipping Container Sale Paperwork: Bill of Sale, Ownership & Records
The paperwork to get when you buy a shipping container: quote, invoice, bill of sale, unit number, grade and delivery records, and what to keep for resale.
-
10ft Containers: Best Uses for Tight Spaces
What a 10ft shipping container holds, where it fits, the best uses for tight sites, and how it compares with 8ft and 20ft containers for price and space.
-
New 20ft Containers: Lead Times & What Arrives on the Truck
How long it takes to get a new 20ft shipping container, what affects lead time, and exactly what to expect and check when a new one-trip container arrives.
-
How Old Is That Container? Reading the CSC Plate & Door Markings
How to find a shipping container's age and specs: reading the CSC plate, the unit number, the ISO size and type code and the weight markings on the doors.
-
Used 20ft Containers: Typical Condition at 5, 10 & 15 Years
What a used 20ft shipping container typically looks like at 5, 10 and 15 years old, what wears first, and how to choose the right age and grade for your use.
-
Purchase Terms Explained: Deposits, Payment & Delivery Windows
The terms to understand before you purchase a shipping container: quotes, deposits, payment, delivery windows, door direction, cancellations and inspections.
-
20ft Container Prices: New vs. Used vs. Modified
How 20ft shipping container prices compare across new, used and modified units, what drives each, and how to get the best value from a 20ft container sale.
-
How Container Rentals Work: Terms, Deposits & Pickup
How shipping container rentals work from quote to pickup: rental terms, deposits, delivery and pickup fees, damage rules, insurance and extending or buying out.
-
9 Ways to Lower the Delivered Cost of a Used Container
Nine practical ways to lower the delivered cost of a used shipping container, from choosing the right grade and size to easy delivery, timing and payment plans.
-
Buying a Shipping Container Online: How It Works and How to Stay Safe
How buying a shipping container online works, from browsing and quotes to payment and delivery, plus the checks that keep you safe from scams.
-
Large Containers: 40ft vs. 45ft High Cube Compared
40ft vs. 45ft high cube shipping containers compared: space, dimensions, weight, delivery needs, availability and the jobs each large container suits best.
-
20 Questions to Ask the Seller Before You Buy a Shipping Container
Twenty questions to ask any shipping container seller before you buy, covering the container, its condition, price, delivery, payment and after-sale support.
-
Renting a Container for a Renovation: Costs & Timeline
How to rent a storage container for a home renovation: choosing a size, timing delivery and pickup, packing, protecting your belongings and keeping costs down.
-
Double-Door, Open-Side & Other New-Build Container Options
The new shipping container options beyond a standard box: high cube, open side, double door, open top, insulated, reefer and small 8ft and 10ft units.
-
"On Sale" Container Prices: How to Spot a Fake Discount
How to tell a genuine shipping container sale from a fake discount: inflated "was" prices, hidden delivery fees, downgraded grades and scam listings.
-
Foundations for a 20' Container: Gravel, Blocks or Concrete?
How to prepare a base for a 20ft shipping container: gravel pads, concrete blocks, railroad ties, piers and slabs compared, plus leveling and drainage tips.
-
40ft Container Delivery: Space, Truck Types & Site Access
What a 40ft shipping container delivery needs: straight approach length, width, overhead clearance, ground conditions, truck types and how to prepare your site.
-
One 20ft or Two 10ft Containers? Choosing the Right Setup
Should you buy one 20ft shipping container or two 10ft units? Space, cost, delivery, access and flexibility compared, with the situations where each setup wins.
-
Cash, Financing or Rent-to-Own: The Cheapest Way to Pay for a Container
Paying cash, financing, leasing or rent-to-own for a shipping container compared: total cost, monthly payments, ownership and which option is cheapest for you.
-
How Delivery Distance Changes the Price of a Container
Why delivery distance changes what you pay for a shipping container, how delivery is priced, and how to find stock near you for the best delivered price.
-
Buying Shipping Containers in Bulk: Multi-Unit Pricing & Logistics
How to buy shipping containers in bulk for a business, farm or project: multi-unit pricing, matching grades, delivery scheduling, site layout and paperwork.
-
Container Delivery Explained: Tilt-Bed, Flatbed & Crane
How shipping containers are delivered: tilt-bed trucks, flatbeds with cranes or forklifts, and chassis drop-offs, plus what each method needs from your site.
-
Pickup vs. Delivery: Can You Haul a Container Yourself?
Can you pick up and haul a shipping container yourself? The trucks, trailers, loading equipment, weight limits and costs involved, compared with delivery.
-
Buying Shipping Containers in New Jersey: Supply, Pricing & Delivery
A local guide to buying shipping containers in New Jersey: where stock comes from, what affects NJ prices, delivery in towns and farmland, and local rules.
-
20ft New Container Colors & Paint Options
The colors new 20ft shipping containers come in, how to choose one, when custom paint is worth it, and how to repaint or touch up a container properly.
-
Shipping Container Zoning & Permits in New Jersey
How zoning and permits work for shipping containers in New Jersey: temporary vs. permanent placement, setbacks, HOAs, commercial sites and what to ask.
-
How Fast Can a Container Be Delivered? Lead Times by Distance
How long shipping container delivery takes, what affects lead times (stock, distance, type, site and weather) and how to get a container faster.
-
Visiting a Container Depot: What to Expect and What to Bring
What to expect when you visit a shipping container depot to see stock in person: appointments, safety rules, what to bring, how to inspect and what to ask.
-
Used Containers in NJ: Where Local Stock Comes From
Where New Jersey's used shipping containers come from, how they're graded, what affects local availability and how to choose a good used container in NJ.
-
Why Used Container Stock Varies by Location (and How to Get One Faster)
Why used shipping container stock and prices vary by location, how ports, rail hubs and trade flows shape local supply, and how to find one sooner.
-
Buying Used Containers at Auction vs. From a Dealer
Should you buy a used shipping container at auction or from a dealer? Prices, condition, fees, removal, risk and who each option suits, compared side by side.
-
Used Container Sales: Warranties, Returns & What's Normal
What warranties and return policies are normal when you buy a used shipping container, what a grade guarantee covers, and how to protect yourself at delivery.
-
Containers in NYC: Permits, Street Placement & Borough Rules
Getting a shipping container in New York City: choosing a size, private vs. street placement, permits, truck routes, job sites and borough differences.
-
Shipper-Owned Containers (SOC): Buying a Box to Ship Your Own Cargo
How shipper-owned containers (SOC) work: buying a container to ship your own cargo overseas, the condition and paperwork it needs, and when it makes sense.
-
Do You Need a Permit for a Shipping Container?
When a shipping container needs a permit: storage vs. occupied use, temporary vs. permanent placement, zoning, building codes, HOAs and who to ask.
-
New Containers in Bridgeport, CT: Delivery, Zoning & Coastal Rust
Buying new shipping containers in Bridgeport, CT: where stock comes from, delivery on city streets, local zoning and protecting a container from salt air.
-
Reselling a Second-Hand Container: What It's Worth Later
What a second-hand shipping container is worth when you sell it, what affects resale value, and how to prepare, price, list and hand over a container you own.
-
Where to Place a Container on Your Property: Drainage, Setbacks & Utilities
How to choose the best spot for a shipping container on your property: drainage, setbacks, utilities, sun, security, access and door swing.
-
Ex-Leasing vs. Ex-Shipping-Line Containers: Which Used Box Is Better?
Where used shipping containers come from, how ex-lease and ex-shipping-line units differ, and how to choose a sound used box from either.
-
Corten Steel & Build Quality: What Makes a Used Container Last
How shipping containers are built, why Corten weathering steel resists rust, which parts carry the load, and what that means when you buy a used container.
-
Shipping Containers in Oakland: Supply, Pricing & Delivery
Buying shipping containers in Oakland and the East Bay: Port of Oakland supply, prices, delivery in the hills and flats, and local rules.
-
Used Containers for NJ Contractors & Landscapers
How New Jersey contractors and landscapers use used shipping containers: job-site storage, equipment yards, winter storage, security and sizes.
-
How to Check Whether a Container Seller Really Delivers to Your ZIP
How to confirm a shipping container seller really delivers to your ZIP code: questions to ask, red flags and what a real delivery quote shows.
-
Buying a Container in California: Ports, Permits & Seismic Anchoring
Buying a shipping container in California: port supply, prices, delivery across the state, local permits, seismic anchoring and wildfire tips.
-
Conex Container Homes: Permits, Insulation & Real Costs
What it really takes to build a conex container home: zoning and permits, choosing containers, insulation, foundations, utilities and where the costs go.
-
Shipping Containers for Farms & Ranches: Sizes, Uses & Placement
How farms and ranches use shipping containers: storing feed, tools and equipment, cold storage, choosing sizes, placement on rural land and rodent-proofing.
-
Containers for Construction Sites: Job-Site Storage Guide
How to use shipping containers on construction sites: sizes, placement, security, site offices, moving between jobs and choosing to rent or buy.
-
Backyard Office in a Shipping Container: Where to Start
How to plan a backyard office in a shipping container: size, permits, insulation, power, internet, windows, heating and cooling, and the order to do things.
-
Conex Box on Wheels: Dollies, Trailers & Chassis Explained
How to put a conex box on wheels: container dollies and caster kits, trailers, container chassis and mobile units, plus their limits, safety and costs.
-
Repairing a 2nd-Hand Container: Rust, Doors & Seals
How to repair a second-hand shipping container: treating rust, patching holes, fixing stiff doors, replacing seals, repairing floors and when to call a pro.
-
Container vs. Wood vs. Metal Shed: Cost & Durability
A shipping container shed compared with wood and metal sheds on cost, durability, security, weatherproofing, setup, permits and resale value.
-
Starting a Container Self-Storage Business: Units, Land & Numbers
How to start a self-storage business with shipping containers: land and zoning, choosing units, site layout, security, pricing, operations and costs.
-
Organizing a Storage Container: Shelving, Racking & Lighting
How to organize a shipping storage container: shelving and racking options, layouts that keep an aisle clear, lighting, ventilation and labeling.
-
Stop Condensation in a Storage Container: Vents, Insulation & Desiccants
Why shipping containers get condensation ("container rain"), and how to stop it with vents, insulation, desiccants, good placement and smart packing.
-
Shipping Containers for Retail & Pop-Up Shops: Costs and Layouts
How to turn a shipping container into a retail shop, café, bar or pop-up: choosing a container, layouts, service windows, power, permits and costs.
-
Converting a Used Container? Check These 6 Things First
Before you convert a used shipping container into an office, studio or home, check these six things: structure, floor, past cargo, paint, size and permits.
-
Buying a Conex for a Hunting Camp, Cabin or Off-Grid Site
How to choose and set up a conex box for a hunting camp, cabin or off-grid site: size, delivery on rural land, security, solar power, ventilation and comfort.
-
Shipping Containers for Schools, Churches & Nonprofits: Tax-Exempt Buying
How schools, churches and nonprofits use shipping containers for storage, how tax-exempt buying works, and how to plan, approve and fund a purchase.
-
Restaurant Cold Storage: Buying a Reefer Container
How restaurants, caterers and food businesses use refrigerated containers for cold storage: sizes, power, temperature control, placement, food safety and costs.
-
Why Builders Choose New 40ft High Cubes for Container Homes
Why container home builders prefer new 40ft high cube containers: headroom, straight walls, clean floors, floor area, layout options and fewer surprises.
-
Dents, Rust & Patches: Which Defects Are Fine for Storage
Which used shipping container defects are fine for storage and which aren't: dents, surface rust, patches, faded paint, floor wear, door issues and holes.
-
Old Shipping Containers: Gardens, Coops & Upcycling Projects
Creative ways to reuse old shipping containers: garden sheds, potting rooms, chicken coops, animal shelters, raised beds, workshops and play spaces.
-
Insuring a Shipping Container: Theft, Weather & Liability
How to insure a shipping container and what's inside: home and business policies, theft, weather and liability cover, rentals, and how to lower the risk.
-
Keeping a Used 20ft Container Rust-Free: Maintenance Guide
How to keep a used 20ft shipping container rust-free: placement, roof care, rust treatment, painting, seals, ventilation and a simple yearly maintenance plan.
-
20ft Container Floor Plans: Office, Workshop & Storage Layouts
Practical 20ft shipping container floor plans for offices, workshops, studios, split office-and-storage units and organized storage, with dimensions and tips.
-
Used Containers for Emergency & Disaster-Prep Storage
How to use a used shipping container for emergency and disaster-prep storage: what to store, placement, flood and wind risks, organization and security.
-
Converted Containers: Offices, Kiosks & Bars, and What They Cost
The most popular converted shipping containers (offices, kiosks, bars, workshops, studios and homes), what each conversion involves and what drives the cost.
-
Why the U.S. Has So Many Used Containers: The Trade Imbalance Explained
Why there are so many used shipping containers in the U.S.: the trade imbalance, the cost of shipping empties back, retirement and what it means for buyers.
-
Moving With a Used Container: Pack, Store & Relocate in One Box
How to use a used shipping container for a move: buying vs. renting, packing to protect your belongings, storage between homes, relocation and weight limits.