Quick Answer: Shipping Container Cost
A used 20ft shipping container costs $1,300-$2,300 wind and watertight and $1,700-$2,800 cargo-worthy, and a new one-trip 20ft $2,800-$4,400, according to ContSize, a price guide. A 40ft runs $1,700-$2,900 wind and watertight at the same source. Delivery within 50 miles adds $400-$800 and rises with distance, and a base and permit are separate lines, each named to its source below.
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The shipping container cost you see advertised can run from under $1,500 to over $5,000, and the same size can sit at either end. Two things explain most of that spread: the condition grade and the distance between you and the depot. Size matters too, but less than most first-time buyers expect.
This page is for anyone pricing a container to buy, whether it holds tools on a farm, stock behind a shop or furniture during a long renovation. It sets out the shipping container cost for every common size and grade in one table. It then covers delivery, new versus used, the total cost to put a container on your land, and when renting makes more sense. Every price is an outside figure from a container seller or price guide, named where it appears and listed under Sources. This site sells nothing.
How Much Does a Shipping Container Cost? The Master Price Table
How much does a shipping container cost? Start with this table. It sets two published price lists side by side for the three sizes people buy most, across the three grades they are sold in. Both are for the container alone, before delivery. ContSize, a price guide, reports medians across named dealers and marketplaces. shipping-containers.com publishes its depot prices by size and grade. Your local shipping container cost will land near these ranges, and the two do not always agree.
| Size and Grade | ContSize | shipping-containers.com | A M Shipping Containers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft new one-trip | $2,800–$4,400 | $2,500–$3,500 | $3,800–$5,500 |
| 20ft cargo-worthy | $1,700–$2,800 | $1,800–$2,500 | $2,200–$3,400 |
| 20ft wind and watertight | $1,300–$2,300 | $1,250–$2,000 | $1,800–$2,600 |
| 40ft new one-trip | Not given | $3,700–$5,125 | Not given |
| 40ft cargo-worthy | $2,100–$3,400 | $2,500–$3,250 | Not given |
| 40ft wind and watertight | $1,700–$2,900 | $2,000–$2,800 | Not given |
| 40ft high cube new one-trip | $4,000–$5,600 | $3,700–$5,125 | Not given |
| 40ft high cube cargo-worthy | $2,100–$3,500 | $2,300–$3,000 | Not given |
| 40ft high cube wind and watertight | $1,700–$3,200 | $1,750–$2,700 | Not given |
Read across a row and the sellers differ by a few hundred dollars, which is the normal spread between depots. Read down a column and the grade does most of the work. ContSize puts a new 20ft at $2,800–$4,400 and a wind and watertight one at $1,300–$2,300, so the same box can cost roughly twice as much new. The step in shipping container cost from a 20ft to a 40ft is smaller than most buyers expect: in ContSize's wind and watertight column it is $1,300–$2,300 against $1,700–$2,900.
The high cube is a 40ft container one foot taller than the standard. In ContSize's list its used ranges sit within a few hundred dollars of the standard 40ft. Container One, a container seller, says high cubes are often priced below standard 40ft containers because they are more plentiful. Your supplier will price a used high cube by its grade, so its shipping container cost follows the same pattern as a standard box.
Other Sizes and Special Units
10ft, 45ft and 53ft containers are sold too, but they are less common and priced separately. shipping-containers.com lists a used 10ft wind and watertight at $2,800–$3,800, more than a 20ft. Ask for a written price on any unusual size, and do not assume a smaller box costs less.
Shipping Container Prices by Condition Grade
Grades are how sellers describe a container's age, wear and whether it can still carry cargo. The names are widely used, but each seller applies them a little differently. Always ask what a grade means to the seller quoting you, and ask for photos of the actual unit. Two quotes for the same grade can describe very different boxes.
New or one-trip. These containers have made one voyage and show little wear. ContSize puts a 20ft at $2,800–$4,400, and Container One says a new 20ft runs about $2,500–$4,500 and a new 40ft about $4,000–$6,000 delivered. They suit conversions and anywhere the container will be seen every day.
Cargo-worthy. A cargo-worthy container has passed an inspection and can carry cargo. It looks worn, but it is sound enough to ship goods. ContSize lists a 20ft at $1,700–$2,800 and a 40ft at $2,100–$3,400. Container One puts cargo-worthy at about 60 percent of the price of a new box. shipping-containers.com says the grade adds $500 to $750 over wind and watertight at the same size.
Wind and watertight. This grade is sealed against wind and rain but is not certified for shipping. It is the usual pick for storage that stays in one place. ContSize lists a 20ft at $1,300–$2,300 and a 40ft at $1,700–$2,900. Container One puts the grade at about 50 to 60 percent of the price of a new box.
As-is and other grades. Some sellers also sell containers as found, with no promise that they keep water out, or use their own names for a grade between new and cargo-worthy. None of the price lists above gives a figure for them, so get a written price and see the unit in person before you pay.
| Your Use | Grade That Usually Fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Storage at home, on a farm or behind a shop | Wind and watertight | Keeps weather out; shipping certification adds nothing here |
| Shipping goods, or keeping that option open | Cargo-worthy or better | Inspected to carry cargo |
| Visible spot, customer-facing site | New one-trip | Cleaner appearance and less wear |
| Office, cabin or home conversion | New one-trip | Fewest dents and repairs before the build starts |
Check the Grade Before You Pay
A grade name is only as good as the seller using it. Ask for current photos of the doors, floor, roof and door seals. On delivery, look for daylight from inside with the doors shut before you sign.
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What Moves the Price of a Shipping Container
The price of a shipping container comes down to a handful of things. Some you can control, and some you can only shop around. Knowing which is which keeps your shipping container cost in check. Here is what moves a quote up or down.
Condition grade. This is the biggest lever. In ContSize's list a 20ft runs $1,300–$2,300 wind and watertight and $2,800–$4,400 new. Choose the lowest grade that does the job, and the saving is often larger than any discount you could negotiate.
Size. Longer boxes cost more, but not in proportion. A 40ft gives you twice the length of a 20ft for a smaller price step, as the table above shows.
Distance to the depot. Containers are stocked at depots, usually near ports, rail yards and large cities. The further your site is from one, the more you pay to get the container there. That often matters more to the total shipping container cost than the gap between two sellers' prices.
Local supply. A depot with plenty of one size and grade prices it to move. A depot short of stock prices higher, or quotes a unit from further away. Supply changes, so a shipping container cost quoted months ago is only a rough guide. Container One's own cost guide says its estimates change by location and over time.
Doors and extras. Container One says a double-door container costs about 10 to 20 percent more than a standard one, and a side-door container about 40 to 60 percent more. Compare quotes that include the same features.
How many you buy. Buying two or more at once can change the delivered price, mainly because trucks and trips can be shared. Ask each supplier how a multi-unit order is priced.
Delivery: $400 to $800 Nearby, Much More Far From a Depot
Delivery is the line of the shipping container cost that surprises people, and distance sets most of it. ContSize reads delivery at $400–$800 within 50 miles of the depot, $500–$800 from 50 to 100 miles and $700–$1,700 from 100 to 200 miles. shipping-containers.com lists $1,200–$2,000 from 200 to 300 miles, and $3.50 to $5 a mile beyond 300 miles, plus offloading. A M Shipping Containers puts 500 miles and more at $2,500 and up. Different sellers draw the bands differently, so ask for a quote to your address.
| Distance From Depot | ContSize | shipping-containers.com | A M Shipping Containers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 miles | $400–$800 | $350–$750 | $150–$400 |
| 50 to 100 miles | $500–$800 | $500–$1,000 | $400–$800 (50 to 150 miles) |
| 100 to 200 miles | $700–$1,700 | $800–$1,600 | $800–$1,500 (150 to 300 miles) |
| 200 to 300 miles | Not given | $1,200–$2,000 | $800–$1,500 (150 to 300 miles) |
| 300 to 500 miles | Not given | $3.50–$5 per mile, plus offloading | $1,500–$2,500 |
Most containers arrive on a tilt-bed truck that slides the box off onto the ground. The truck needs a long, straight, firm approach with no low wires or branches overhead. A 40ft needs noticeably more room than a 20ft, so ask the supplier how much clear space its truck needs.
A flatbed delivery is different. The container arrives level, and something has to lift it off at your end. A crane or large forklift adds to the bill, so ask before you accept that option.
Ask for the All-In Number
Get every quote as one delivered price: container, delivery, fuel and any lift or placement fee. If the site isn't ready on delivery day, a return trip may cost extra.
Get the site ready before the truck arrives. The spot should be level, firm and dry, with the base already in place. Mark where the doors should face, since turning a container after it lands is hard work. Make sure someone is there to guide the driver.
Sometimes the cheaper container is the one further away. Add each seller's container price and delivery charge together, then compare totals. A low sticker price with a long haul can cost more than a higher price from a closer depot.
New vs Used Shipping Container Price
A used shipping container price is the reason most buyers choose used. For plain storage, a used box does the same job for much less than a new one. The comparison below uses ContSize's ranges for a 20ft and a 40ft standard.
| Factor | New (One-Trip) | Used (Cargo-Worthy or Wind and Watertight) |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft price | $2,800–$4,400 | $1,300–$2,800 |
| 40ft price | Not given by ContSize; $3,700–$5,125 at shipping-containers.com | $1,700–$3,400 |
| Appearance | Clean, little wear | Dents, rust patches, faded paint and old markings |
| Condition | Nearly new throughout | Varies by unit, so inspect it |
| Best for | Conversions and visible sites | Storage on farms, jobsites and back lots |
Buy new if the container becomes an office, cabin or home, or sits where customers see it. The build will cost many times the box. Starting with fewer dents and repairs makes that money go further. Our shipping container office guide covers conversion budgets.
Buy used if it only needs to keep things dry and locked. A wind and watertight unit is the usual choice. Cargo-worthy costs a little more and suits anyone who might ship goods in it later.
Don't overpay for looks you won't use. Equally, don't buy an unseen box to save a few hundred dollars. A leaking floor costs more to fix than the gap to the next grade.
Total Shipping Container Cost on Your Land
The price on the listing is only the first line of your shipping container cost. To budget the real cost of a shipping container, add delivery, a base to set it on, local approvals and anything you plan to add inside. So how much is a shipping container once it sits on your land? Here is how those lines stack up.
The container. Take the size and grade from the master table above. This is usually the largest line, though a long delivery can rival it.
Delivery. Use the distance table above.
A base. A container should sit level and off bare ground so water drains away. A M Shipping Containers puts railroad ties or concrete blocks at $200–$600, a gravel pad at $500–$1,500 and a concrete slab at $2,000–$5,000. A 40ft needs a longer base than a 20ft, so price it locally.
Approvals. Placing a container usually needs local zoning approval and often a permit. A M Shipping Containers puts permits at $50 to $500 or more. Fees and rules are set locally, so call your planning office before you buy.
Worked Example: A Used 20ft Container, Delivered
Container: 20ft wind and watertight, ContSize = $1,300 to $2,300
Delivery: within 50 miles of the depot, ContSize = $400 to $800
Total before the base and permit: $1,300 + $400 = $1,700 at the low end, and $2,300 + $800 = $3,100 at the high end
Swap in your own quotes to see your shipping container cost, and add your base and any local permit fee.
| Budget Line (20ft Wind and Watertight) | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Container (ContSize) | $1,300 | $2,300 |
| Delivery within 50 miles (ContSize) | $400 | $800 |
| Container and delivery | $1,700 | $3,100 |
| Gravel pad (A M Shipping Containers) | $500 | $1,500 |
| Permit (A M Shipping Containers) | $50 | $500 |
| Container, delivery, pad and permit | $2,250 | $5,100 |
Rules tighten once a container is used as a building. The International Code Council notes that containers are built to ISO standards and maintained to standards defined by the IMO's Convention for Safe Containers. Its ICC G5 Guideline for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings is intended to help state and local jurisdictions, owners, architects, builders and engineers decide how to design, review and approve them. For permits in general, see our metal building permits and codes guide.
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Rent or Buy a Container?
If you need a container for a few months, renting is usually cheaper. ContSize puts storage rental at $100–$200 a month for a 20ft and $150–$250 a month for a 40ft. Delivery each way runs $150–$200, and pickup at the end of the rental $150–$400.
Longer needs change the math. On ContSize's rates, a year of renting a 20ft comes to $1,200–$2,400 in rent plus $300–$600 for delivery and pickup, or $1,500–$3,000 in all. Buying a wind and watertight 20ft with delivery within 50 miles comes to $1,700–$3,100, and you keep the box. Past about a year of renting, buying usually comes out ahead, because the shipping container cost is paid once while rent keeps adding up.
Buying does bring its own costs. You carry the upkeep, and you need a use or a buyer when the project ends. Our storage container rental cost guide covers monthly rates, rental terms and a full rent-versus-buy comparison.
Choosing a Size: 20ft or 40ft
Size is usually decided by what goes inside, not by price. Pick the size first, then shop the grade. The step up in shipping container cost from 20ft to 40ft is smaller than most people expect.
A 20ft fits a tighter lot, a driveway or a spot close to the house. It holds garden equipment, household goods during a move or a small tool store. See our 20ft shipping container cost guide for dimensions and more on what fits.
A 40ft suits farm equipment, business stock and larger projects. The high cube adds a foot of height for tall items or a conversion. Our 40ft shipping container cost guide compares the standard and high cube in detail.
Weighing a container against a small steel building for storage? Read shipping container vs metal building before you decide.
Shipping Container Price FAQ
ContSize puts a 20ft at $1,300–$2,300 wind and watertight and $2,800–$4,400 new, and a 40ft at $1,700–$2,900 wind and watertight. Container One says a new 20ft runs about $2,500–$4,500 delivered. Delivery within 50 miles adds $400–$800 at ContSize.
ContSize lists a 20ft at $2,800–$4,400 new, $1,700–$2,800 cargo-worthy and $1,300–$2,300 wind and watertight. shipping-containers.com lists $2,500–$3,500, $1,800–$2,500 and $1,250–$2,000 for the same grades. Delivery is extra.
ContSize lists a 40ft at $2,100–$3,400 cargo-worthy and $1,700–$2,900 wind and watertight. shipping-containers.com lists $3,700–$5,125 new, $2,500–$3,250 cargo-worthy and $2,000–$2,800 wind and watertight. A 40ft high cube new runs $4,000–$5,600 at ContSize.
ContSize reads delivery at $400–$800 within 50 miles and $700–$1,700 from 100 to 200 miles. shipping-containers.com lists $1,200–$2,000 from 200 to 300 miles. Ask each supplier for a delivered price.
A cargo-worthy container has passed an inspection and can carry cargo. A wind and watertight container is sealed against weather but is not certified for shipping. For storage in one place, wind and watertight is usually enough and costs less.
For storage, usually yes. ContSize lists a used 20ft wind and watertight container at $1,300–$2,300, compared with $2,800–$4,400 new. Ask for photos of the actual unit and check the floor and seals on delivery.
Renting is usually cheaper for a few months, at $100–$200 a month for a 20ft and $150–$250 for a 40ft at ContSize, plus delivery and pickup. Over a year, rent and fees come to $1,500–$3,000 for a 20ft, close to the price of buying one.
Often, yes. Placing a container usually needs local zoning approval and often a permit. A M Shipping Containers puts permits at $50 to $500 or more. Rules, fees, setbacks and time limits are set locally, so check with your planning office before you buy.
The lowest shipping container cost comes from the lowest grade that does the job, which for storage is usually wind and watertight. Buy from the nearest depot with stock, and compare delivered prices rather than listings. If you need the space, a 40ft often costs less per foot of length than a 20ft.
Sellers grade containers a little differently, and stock levels differ between depots. Delivery distance also changes the total shipping container cost. Compare delivered prices for the same size and grade, with photos of each unit.
Getting the Best Price on Your Container
The shipping container cost that matters is the delivered total, not the listing. Choose your size by what goes inside. Then pick the lowest grade that does the job, and price delivery before you commit.
Ask several suppliers for the same size and grade, delivered to your address, or compare storage container prices from suppliers near you in one request. Then compare each quote line by line. Check local rules first and have the site ready. With like-for-like quotes in hand, the right choice is usually obvious.
Sources
- ContSize. Shipping container prices. Medians across named dealers and marketplaces for 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube containers in new one-trip, cargo-worthy and wind and watertight grades; delivery by distance up to 200 miles; monthly rent, delivery and pickup.
- shipping-containers.com. Shipping Container Prices in the USA: Guide by Size and Condition. Depot prices by size and grade including 10ft and 40ft; the $500 to $750 cargo-worthy premium; delivery by distance and per mile beyond 300 miles.
- A M Shipping Containers. 20ft Shipping Container Cost: Pricing by Condition and Region. National ranges for a 20ft by grade; delivery by distance; base options and permit costs.
- Container One. Shipping Container Cost: 20FT vs 40FT Container Prices. Delivered ranges for new 20ft and 40ft containers; cargo-worthy and wind and watertight as shares of the new price; double-door and side-door premiums; high cube pricing. An older article that calls its numbers rough estimates.
- International Code Council. ICC G5 Guideline for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings and Building Components. ISO standards, the Convention for Safe Containers and who the guideline is for. shop.iccsafe.org
Related Resources
- 20ft Shipping Container Cost and Specs
- 40ft Shipping Container Cost and High Cube Options
- Storage Container Rental Cost
- Shipping Container vs Metal Building
- Used Shipping Containers for Sale
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