Shipping Container Sale Prices: New, Used, and Delivered
Compare the shipping container for sale price for new and used units, check delivered offers and spot extra costs before you buy.
Shipping Container for Sale Price: New, Used, and Delivered
A shipping container for sale price depends on the unit’s size, condition and delivery location. Outback Shipping Containers advertises starting offers of $1,095 delivered for a 20ft container and $1,169 delivered for a 40ft container. These are entry offers, not guaranteed prices for every configuration or destination. Confirm the selected condition, delivery terms and taxes before setting your budget.
Quick Answer: Compare written delivered totals for containers of the same size and condition. A low advertised price does not tell you whether unloading, site preparation or your preferred container grade is included.
Key Takeaways
- Advertised starting prices are useful reference points, but your written quote should identify the exact container and delivery location.
- New one-trip, used wind and watertight and cargo-worthy containers are different buying options.
- A 40ft container offers twice the nominal footprint of a 20ft unit, but requires more delivery space.
- Storage containers and finished container homes need separate budgets. A steel shell is not a permitted living space.
What does a shipping container for sale price include?
The first distinction is between the container price and the delivered purchase total. Some listings price the unit at a depot. Others advertise delivery, but the applicable service area and unloading conditions still need confirmation.
A complete quote should identify the size, condition grade and destination. It should also state whether taxes, unloading and any requested modifications are included. Without those details, two prices may describe different purchases.
Advertised offers versus your actual quote
Outback’s product listings provide these starting reference points:
| Container listing | Advertised starting offer | What to confirm before purchase |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft shipping container | $1,095 delivered | Selected condition, destination eligibility, unloading terms and taxes |
| 40ft shipping container | $1,169 delivered | Selected condition, destination eligibility, unloading terms and taxes |
The advertised starting difference is $74. That does not establish the price difference between every new or used 20ft and 40ft unit. Different inventory, grades and delivery requirements can change the comparison.
Use the 20ft shipping container listing to check the available offer, then obtain a written total for your address. Do not assume that the lowest listed figure applies to a one-trip container or every ZIP code.
A useful shipping container for sale price names the product and the work included. “40ft used container delivered to this address with tilt-bed unloading” is much easier to evaluate than an unexplained dollar amount.
How size and condition change the deal
Size determines how much space you gain. Condition affects appearance, repair risk and suitability for your intended use. Compare both together rather than choosing the cheapest cargo container first and working out its limitations later.
Compare the space you actually need
These are common nominal exterior dimensions. Interior dimensions are smaller and vary with the unit’s construction.
| Container type | Nominal exterior dimensions | Nominal footprint | Main buying consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 20ft long × 8ft wide × 8ft 6in high | 160 sq ft | Smaller placement area and easier fit on restricted sites |
| 40ft standard | 40ft long × 8ft wide × 8ft 6in high | 320 sq ft | More storage space, with greater access requirements |
| 40ft high cube | 40ft long × 8ft wide × 9ft 6in high | 320 sq ft | Extra height for tall items or planned conversions |
A high cube adds one foot of exterior height, not additional floor area. Insulation, framing and ceiling finishes reduce usable interior space in a container conversion.
The lowest shipping container for sale price is not always the lowest cost for your project. Buying a smaller conex box that cannot hold your equipment may lead to a second purchase, another delivery and more site work.
Understand what used grades mean
A wind and watertight container, usually called WWT, is intended to keep out wind and rain when its doors are properly closed. That condition description does not automatically establish eligibility for loaded international transport.
Cargo-worthy, often listed as CWO, refers to suitability for cargo service based on the relevant inspection criteria. Ask what inspection documentation comes with the unit and whether it meets your intended transport requirements.
For an intermodal container returning to international service, check the safety approval plate and examination status. The International Maritime Organization’s guidance on the Convention for Safe Containers explains the international safety framework. A seller’s WWT label is not a substitute for the required transport documentation.
Decide whether one-trip condition is worth paying for
A new one-trip container has generally made one cargo journey before sale. It can still have handling marks. “One-trip” does not mean untouched steel or a flawless showroom finish.
One-trip condition may suit a visible business location or a project where appearance matters. Used equipment can suit secure storage when its doors, roof, floor and weather seals meet your needs.
Compare the condition-specific premium with the work you would otherwise undertake. Cleaning, door repairs and cosmetic refinishing can reduce the savings from a cheaper unit.
Delivery terms that can change your total
A shipping container for sale price becomes more useful when the delivery scope is clear. The container must reach your property, leave the truck safely and sit where you need it. Each of those steps has different requirements.
Outback Shipping Containers serves all 50 states, including remote and rural destinations. That does not make every route or placement equally simple. Give the delivery team accurate site information before accepting a quote.
Match the unloading method to the site
A tilt-bed truck unloads by raising the bed and sliding the container into position. It needs room for the truck, trailer and unloading movement. A crane or other lifting equipment may be necessary where that approach will not work.
Ask which method the quote includes. Also ask who supplies any additional lifting equipment and who pays if the truck reaches the property but cannot unload.
The delivery route needs attention as well. Gates, sharp turns, soft ground, overhead branches and narrow driveways can prevent access even when the final container location has plenty of room.
Separate delivery access from site preparation
The driver’s ability to reach the site does not mean the ground is ready to support a container. Uneven support can rack the frame and make the doors difficult to operate.
Confirm the required support arrangement with the supplier. Soil conditions, drainage and intended use may call for professional input. Do not assume that scattered blocks or bare ground will work for every installation.
For delivery planning, provide the container’s actual tare weight, meaning its empty weight. Payload capacity describes its allowable cargo load, not what a delivery truck can safely unload at your property. Verify unit-specific figures from the data plate and confirm the carrier’s limits.
Build an apples-to-apples quote comparison
Compare the shipping container for sale price only after making the specifications consistent. Request the same length, height, condition grade and delivery destination from each seller. Otherwise, the apparent savings may reflect a different product or service.
Use this worksheet to identify missing information before paying a deposit:
| Quote item | What the seller should specify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Length, standard or high cube height and condition grade | Keeps the product comparison consistent |
| Condition evidence | Actual-unit photos or the seller’s selection and inspection process | Clarifies what you are purchasing |
| Delivery | Address, transport method and applicable access assumptions | Defines the quoted logistics |
| Unloading | Included equipment and placement limits | Helps prevent unexpected lifting costs |
| Taxes and fees | Applicable taxes and separately charged services | Establishes the payable total |
| Modifications | Written scope for doors, vents, paint or other changes | Separates the shell from added work |
| Payment | Deposit, balance due, financing terms and cancellation rules | Shows your financial commitment |
| Guarantees | Written condition promise and claims process | Explains what happens if the unit does not meet the agreement |
An omitted line is not automatically included. Ask the seller to mark it as included, excluded or not applicable. Keep the final quote and any promised changes in writing.
Check financing without losing sight of the total
Financing can reduce the initial cash payment, but a monthly payment alone does not reveal the purchase cost. Review the down payment, interest rate, term length and any fees before comparing offers.
Outback Shipping Containers offers financing options. Confirm the terms available for your purchase rather than assuming every buyer or product receives the same arrangement.
The financed shipping container for sale price should be evaluated alongside the total repayment amount. A lower payment over a longer term can cost more overall, even when the container itself has the same selling price.
If your site can accommodate the larger footprint, request a destination-specific quote for a 40ft shipping container. Include access details and your preferred condition so the comparison reflects the unit and delivery you actually need.
Separate storage costs from conversion costs
A basic storage purchase and a finished building are different projects. The steel shell may be only one part of the budget for an office, workshop or shipping container home.
For storage, focus on function
For tools, farm supplies or business inventory, start with weather resistance, working doors and a sound floor. Consider whether the contents need ventilation, moisture control or additional security.
A WWT guarantee addresses water and wind entry under the stated terms. It does not mean the container controls humidity or remains free of condensation. Moisture inside can come from stored materials and temperature changes, even without a roof leak.
For occasional use, compare ownership with a leasing proposal from LeaseLink Containers, the leasing arm. Include delivery, pickup and the expected rental period rather than comparing one month’s rent with the purchase price.
For buildings, price the finished scope separately
Treat the shipping container for sale price as the shell cost when planning a home or occupied workspace. Structural alterations, insulation, electrical work, plumbing and finishes belong in a separate construction budget.
Cutting openings can change the container’s structural behavior. Before buying a shell for a conversion, confirm that your designer or engineer accepts its size, condition and proposed modifications.
The International Code Council’s 2021 International Building Code, Chapter 31 includes provisions for intermodal shipping containers used as buildings. Your jurisdiction may enforce a different code edition or local amendments. Permit, zoning and foundation requirements vary by state and county, so consult local authorities before committing to a building project.
Cargo-worthiness is not residential approval. Neither a CSC plate nor a weather-tight guarantee replaces the approvals required for an occupied structure.
Check the seller and container before paying
A low price is useful only if the seller supplies the agreed unit under the agreed terms. Verify the business identity, payment instructions and written purchase agreement. Be cautious when payment details change unexpectedly or the seller will not clarify delivery charges.
For a used purchase, the used shipping container buying checklist provides a closer look at condition checks. Pair that inspection work with your delivered-price comparison rather than treating either one as enough on its own.
Before payment, confirm these four points:
- Unit selection: Ask whether you receive the pictured container or another unit within the stated grade.
- Condition promise: Get the weather-tight guarantee, exclusions and remedy in writing.
- Delivery agreement: Confirm the address, unloading method and access requirements.
- Payment record: Obtain an invoice that identifies the seller, purchased product and agreed total.
A trustworthy shipping container for sale price should not require you to guess what happens next. Ask how damage or a condition problem should be documented at delivery and how quickly you must report it.
Outback Shipping Containers describes its units as inspected and offers wind and watertight guarantees. Confirm the terms attached to your selected product. An inspection promise should be specific enough to understand before the truck arrives.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shipping container cost delivered?
Outback advertises starting offers of $1,095 delivered for a 20ft container and $1,169 delivered for a 40ft container. Your actual total depends on the selected unit and destination. Request written confirmation of condition, delivery eligibility, unloading, taxes and any additional services before treating the advertised figure as your final cost.
Is it cheaper to buy a new or used shipping container?
Used containers generally have a lower purchase price than comparable one-trip units. The better value depends on condition and intended use. Compare the shipping container for sale price with any necessary repairs, cleaning or refinishing. A cheaper shell can lose its advantage if it needs work before you can use it.
Does shipping container delivery include unloading?
It depends on the quote. Confirm the transport method, included unloading equipment and placement limits in writing. A delivery price does not necessarily include crane service or difficult placement. Give the seller accurate details about gates, turns, ground conditions and overhead obstacles so the proposed method matches your site.
Is a 40ft shipping container better value than a 20ft container?
A 40ft container provides twice the nominal exterior footprint of a 20ft unit. It can offer better value when you need that capacity and have suitable access. Compare condition-matched delivered quotes first. Extra storage is not a saving if the larger container requires expensive lifting or site changes.
Do I need a permit to put a shipping container on my property?
Requirements vary by state, county and municipality. Placement, duration, setbacks and intended use can affect the answer. A storage container may face different rules from a home or office. Contact your local zoning and building departments before buying, preparing the site or making permanent modifications.
Get a quote for your actual site
The right shipping container for sale price is a written total for the unit, condition and delivery you need. Start with the advertised offer, then resolve the details that could change your budget.
When you are ready, compare options with Outback Shipping Containers and request a quote using your ZIP code, intended use, preferred size and site-access details. That gives you a practical basis for choosing between new, used and delivered options.