What to Check Before Buying a Shipping Container
A pre-purchase checklist for shipping containers: roof, floor, doors, seals, rust, container number, size, delivery access and seller verification.
Quick answer
Before you buy, check the roof for holes or pooling, the floor for soft spots, that the doors open and seal, and that rust is only on the surface. Then confirm the container number, the condition grade, the delivered price, your site access and that the seller is genuine.
Most problems with a container show up in a few places: the roof, the floor, the door seals and the corner posts. A quick check, or photos tied to the container number, will catch them.
Outback quotes have to be reviewed and signed before we invoice, so you can confirm every detail before paying.
Pre-purchase checklist
Guide by Outback Shipping Containers.
| Check | What good looks like |
|---|---|
| Roof | No holes, and no deep dents where water can pool |
| Floor | Firm plywood with no soft or rotten spots |
| Doors & seals | Open and lock smoothly; rubber seals intact |
| Rust | Surface rust only, with no holes through the steel |
| Container number | Matches the photos and the quote |
| Site access | About 60 ft of clearance for a 20ft, about 100 ft for a 40ft |
| Seller | Official domain, written quote, payment details confirmed by phone |
Common questions
Questions about your project?
Send your ZIP code and what you need, and we'll quote the container and delivery together.