Shipping Containers for Sale: The Complete Buyer's Guide

Search for shipping containers for sale and you'll find thousands of listings, a dozen grading terms and prices that seem to have nothing in common. The box itself is simple: a steel shell with doors at one end. Choosing the right one comes down to a handful of decisions, and this guide walks through each of them in order, from size and condition to delivery day.

If you already know what you need, you can go straight to our shipping containers for sale and request a quote. If not, read on: ten minutes here can save you from the most expensive mistakes buyers make.

What a shipping container is (and why people call it a conex)

A shipping container is a steel box built to international standards so it can be stacked on ships, moved by crane and carried on trucks and trains. Once a container leaves ocean service, or sometimes straight from the factory, it's sold for on-site storage, for shipping your own goods, or as the shell of an office, workshop or home.

You'll also hear it called a conex box. The name comes from the U.S. Army's "Container Express" boxes, and it stuck, especially among contractors, farmers and veterans. Today "conex", "shipping container", "cargo container" and "storage container" all describe the same thing.

Step 1: Choose a size

Containers come in a few standard lengths. Width is always 8 feet; height is 8′ 6″ for a standard unit or 9′ 6″ for a high cube.

The 20ft is the most popular size because it balances space, price and easy delivery. A 40ft gives you twice the floor space for well under twice the price, but it needs a much bigger delivery area. If you're unsure, measure your largest items and the spot on your site, then pick the smallest size that fits both with room to spare. Compare every size and type.

Step 2: Choose a type

Most buyers need a standard container, but the type matters if you have a specific job in mind:

• Standard: the everyday enclosed box with double doors at one end.
• High cube: a foot taller, for tall items or conversions where you'll insulate the ceiling.
• Open side: full-length side doors so you can reach everything or load with a forklift.
• Open top: a removable tarp roof for crane loading tall cargo.
• Refrigerated (reefer): holds a set temperature for food, produce or medicine.
• Insulated: steadier temperatures and less condensation, without refrigeration.
• Flat rack: a steel deck with end walls for machinery and oversized loads.
• Custom: any of the above with doors, windows, power, insulation or shelving added.

Step 3: Decide between new and used

This is the decision that moves the price the most.

New (one-trip) containers have made a single voyage from the factory, usually carrying cargo, and arrive close to factory condition. They're the right choice for offices, homes, retail and anywhere appearance matters. See new conex containers.

Used containers have spent years at sea and are graded on what they're still fit for:

• Cargo-worthy (CW): structurally sound enough to carry cargo overseas.
• Wind and watertight (WWT): keeps out wind and rain; sold for storage.
• As-is: sold with known damage, at the lowest price.

For plain storage, a wind and watertight box is usually the best value. Grades describe fitness, not looks, so a cargo-worthy box can have more dents than a WWT one. Our used conex containers page explains each grade and what to check.

Step 4: Buy, rent or rent-to-own

• Buy if you'll need the container for a long time. It's usually the cheapest option over a year or more, and you can resell it later.
• Rent for short projects, moves, renovations or seasonal stock. Monthly costs add up, so compare the total with buying.
• Rent-to-own spreads the cost over monthly payments that go toward owning the box.

See how conex rental and rent-to-own work.

Step 5: Understand what drives the price

Container prices depend on:

1. Size and type: bigger and more specialized units cost more.
2. Condition and grade: new costs most, then cargo-worthy, then WWT, then as-is.
3. Delivery distance and access: priced from the depot to your site.
4. Market conditions: prices move with global shipping demand and local depot stock.
5. Add-ons: lock boxes, vents, shelving and modifications.

Always compare delivered prices for the same size and grade. A cheap box with an expensive delivery isn't cheap. Our conex price guide breaks down what goes into a quote.

Step 6: Plan the delivery

Most containers arrive on a tilt-bed truck that tilts its deck and lets the container slide off onto the ground. The driver needs:

• Firm, level ground where the container will sit, and a firm path to it.
• A long, straight approach. Plan on roughly 60–75 feet in a straight line for a 20ft container and 100–120 feet for a 40ft, because the truck has to pull forward as the container slides off.
• Width and height. About 10–12 feet of width and 14–16 feet of overhead clearance, with no wires or branches above the drop spot.
• Door direction. Decide which way you want the doors to face before the truck is loaded. It's hard to turn a container once it's down.

Set the container on something solid: compacted gravel, concrete pads, railroad ties or blocks under the corners keep the bottom off wet ground and help the doors stay square.

Step 7: Check permits and rules

Many places treat a storage container like a shed: allowed in most yards, with setback and size limits. Others need a permit, restrict containers in front yards, or ban them in some neighborhoods. HOAs often have their own rules. Offices, homes and anything wired for power usually need permits. Call your local building or zoning department before you order.

How to avoid shipping container scams

Container scams are common online. Fake sellers post stolen photos and prices well below market, then ask for payment by wire transfer, a payment app or gift cards. Protect yourself:

• Be wary of prices far below other quotes.
• Search the seller's photos with a reverse image search.
• Call the seller, confirm a real business address and look for reviews over time.
• Ask for the unit number and current photos of the actual container.
• Pay with a method that offers protection, such as a credit card, and get a written invoice.

Your buying checklist

• I know what will go inside and how big the largest item is
• I've measured the spot and the truck's path to it
• I've checked local rules and any HOA restrictions
• I've chosen a size, type and condition or grade
• I've compared delivered quotes for the same size and grade
• I have the unit's grade, photos and unit number in writing
• I've chosen which way the doors should face
• The ground is level and ready for delivery

FAQ

What is the most popular shipping container size?

The 20ft container. It fits most residential and commercial sites, holds about 10 pallets or the contents of a one- to two-bedroom home, and is the easiest size to deliver.

Are used shipping containers watertight?

Wind and watertight and cargo-worthy units are sold as weathertight, with no holes and doors that seal. As-is units may not be. Ask for the grade in writing.

How long does a shipping container last?

That depends on its age and condition when you buy it, your climate and how you look after it. Keeping the roof clear of standing water, touching up rust and raising the box off wet ground all add years.

Can I put a shipping container in my backyard?

Often, yes, but rules vary. Check with your city or county and your HOA, and make sure the delivery truck can reach the spot.