I get a lot of requests for quotes from customers across the US outside of my service area of the New England states comprised of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. I&#;ve written the following Buyer&#;s Guide To Purchasing A Storage Container for customers both from within and outside of my service area. I&#;ve taken my experience purchasing hundreds of containers over the last six years and tried to simplify and condense it into the following guide. So whether you&#;re shopping for a container in my service area or somewhere across the US, hopefully you&#;ll find this guide helpful.

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Buyer&#;s Guide To Purchasing A Storage Container: The main use of steel shipping containers is to transport products across the oceans on cargo ships. Along the way these rugged steel boxes are dented, scratched, scraped, and exposed to the harshest weather yet still protect the goods inside. That is why it has become common for businesses and residents from around the U.S. to buy shipping containers for use as ground level storage at their home or place of business.

Buying Sight Unseen?&#;Buyer Beware! &#; There are a lot of companies across the US selling containers to customers &#;sight unseen&#;. They&#;ll arrange the long distance trucking to your location. Their prices may be good. They&#;ll tell you that the container is in great shape but&#;.once it arrives&#;it might fall short of your expectations. If at all possible, I strongly recommend going to see the container in person. If that is not possible, I recommend not buying a container from someone you have not done business with before unless they send you a minimum of 5 or 6 good quality pictures of the exact container(s) you will be purchasing. Quite often they will send you one or two pictures of a container that is representative of the container you will be purchasing and not the actual container. Make sure to get a picture of all four sides (with the doors closed) and a couple of the interior, including the floor.

Price vs Supply &#; The majority of all shipping containers are made in China. The US has a trade imbalance with China. We import from China much more than we export to other parts of the world. In a &#;normal&#; world economy, there is a surplus of containers here in the US which leads to a steady supply of containers for those who wish to purchase them. I&#;ve known this to be the case since I started selling containers in . In , however, we had a worldwide recession. Container manufacturers in China literally closed the factories and stopped manufacturing containers due to there being no demand for them. This was a great year for those wishing to purchase a container as there was a surplus of containers in ports around the country. That all changed in the spring of when there was a surge in the worldwide demand for storage containers. Due to the factories being closed for most of coupled with lower container prices for much of &#;.this resulted in a massive container shortage. has been a challenge for companies such as Out-Back Storage who are in the business of selling containers which continues to this day. Luckily our network of suppliers is diverse and we&#;ve been able to obtain a steady stream of containers at competitive prices.

Price vs Condition &#; The price of a container is generally based on its age and condition. Keep in mind that price has more to do with condition when it comes to pricing as it is somewhat commonplace to find, for example, a 10 year old container that is in better condition than a 6 year old container. The reasons for this are many but my best guess would have to be:

• Miles Traveled &#; By chance, some containers log more miles moving cargo while some spend more time in ports.
• Container Handling &#; Some containers are handled more roughly by crane and forklift operators. A container that is dented on the outside by careless crane operators will rust wherever paint is chipped. Forklift operators who load and unload the cargo from the interior of the container will sometimes dent the interior of the container with the forks of the forklift causing rust on the interior.
• Container Cargo &#; Did the cargo spill inside of the container soiling the floor?
• Environment &#; A cargo container that spent most of it&#;s time traveling on ships in mild climates will generally show less wear than a container that spent years travelling harsh climates. Imagine the beating a container would take on the North Sea during a winter storm?
• Road Transportation &#; Was the container damaged while being transported via tractor trailer? The container in the picture to the left actually fell off of a truck while going down the highway. It was bought by me at a greatly reduced rate and resold to a customer who was looking for a bargain.

How Old Is This Container? &#; Generally there are a couple of quick ways to tell how old a container are:

• Doors &#; Are the doors of the container flat or corrugated? Generally speaking, a container that has flat doors is an older container. Container manufacturers switched from flat doors to corrugated doors sometime around the early &#;s.
• CSC Plate &#; This is the plate affixed to the left hand door of the container which has all of the container information listed on it. It&#;s akin to a VIN (Vehicle Information Number) on an automobile. On this plate will be listed the date of manufacture of the container.

What To Look Out For &#; 

• Doors- Do they open and close easily?  If you&#;re going into your container every day and you dread having to open and close the doors&#;you&#;ve bought the wrong container.  However, if you rarely open your container and you get a deal on a container that doesn&#;t open and close easily, then the purchase may make sense for you.  Two things to consider with doors are:
  • Locking mechanisms &#; These are handles that you grab to unlock the container and the vertical rods that actually lock the container at the top and bottom of the container.  If the rods or handles are bent, that could make the container hard to open and close.  I&#;ve often seen containers that are relatively easy to open but difficult to close. Make sure to open and close the container yourself as opposed to the person selling you the container as they are generally pro&#;s at opening and closing difficult containers&#;!  Also, be sure to open both doors.  Not just the door on the right.
  • Hinges &#; Once the doors are unlocked, can you easily swing the doors open?  Once again&#;make sure to open both doors all the way.
• Roof &#; Inspect the roof of the container from the inside.  Are there many dents and dings from the top down?  If so, that&#;s where water will collect eventually causing rust to eat through the container.  If you can, hop up onto the roof of the container and give it a look also.  As on the inside, inspect for dents, dings, and scratches in the paint which will rust through the container roof.  I&#;m not saying you shouldn&#;t buy a container with dents, dings, and scratches or rust on the roof&#;I&#;m merely stating that eventually a hole will develop and that you should plan on addressing it eventually.  It might be in a year or it might be in 5 years.
• Door Gaskets &#; Do the gaskets seal up tight?  Keep in mind that containers are double gasketed and that often there will be a chunk taken out of the exterior gasket but the inner gasket will still be intact creating a watertight seal.  One place to watch out for rust on the container is where the gasket is affixed to the door.  Often rust will develop between the gasket and the door, especially at the bottom of the door. 
• Lower Side Wall &#; Pay attention to the exterior side wall of the container where it meets the flat portion of the steal beam at the bottom of the container.  Water will often collect at that point causing rust to eat through the side of the container. I&#;ve generally only seen this happen on older containers.

Delivery Options vs Cost &#; If you&#;re far away from whomever is selling you the container you&#;re purchasing&#;typically it&#;s cheaper to have the container delivered via &#;flatbed truck&#; as opposed to &#;tilt bed truck or trailer&#;. The reason is that there are many more flat bed vehicles on the road. Tilt beds trucks and trailers are more specialized. Whether you can have your container delivered via flat bed to save some money depends upon whether you have the ability to offload the container at your site or not. To offload at your site you&#;ll need a good sized forklift or a crane. 20&#; containers weigh roughly 4,850 lbs and 40&#; containers weigh roughly 8,223 lbs. If you don&#;t have the ability to offload the container from the truck or trailer, delivery via tilt bed truck or trailer will allow you to have the container placed where you want it.

Shipping Container Grades &#; Buying a shipping container, otherwise known as a sea crate or conex box can be intimidating if you are unfamiliar with the industry. Shipping containers come in several different &#;grades&#; or conditions. And although most distributors understand how to grade a storage container fairly it is good idea to understand what each grade should represent.

Generally speaking, there are six grades of shipping containers commonly referred to. Different vendors may not carry all of these grades or they may have different names for the following grades:

1. One-Trip or New Container

2. Wind & Water Tight &#;Grade A&#; Container

3. Wind & Watertight &#;Grade B&#; Container

4. Refurbished Container

5. &#;As Is&#; Container (aka &#;General Purpose&#; Container)

6. Cargo Worthy Container

Below I&#;ve listed things to consider for each of these types of containers:

One-Trip Storage Containers

Things to consider when purchasing a new &#;one trip&#; container are:

Does the container have &#;high&#; or &#;low&#; locking gear? What I&#;m referring to are the handles used to open the container. They will typically be at one of two heights. I&#;ve found that containers built specifically to be used for one trip (from Asia to the US) and then resold once unloaded will have &#;high&#; locking gear. Conversely, shipping containers built specifically for shipping lines to be used for 10 or more years both on ships and tractor trailers, will have &#;low&#; locking gear. I can only surmise that the reason for this is that a container with &#;high&#; locking gear is more difficult to open when it is on the chassis of a trailer as the handles are high up off the ground. If you&#;re buying a container to use for ground level storage, high locking gear is preferable as you don&#;t have to bend over as far to grab the handles to open the container.

Does the container have a &#;Lock Box&#;? I find that at least 50% of all of the new containers I purchase for resale have &#;lock boxes&#;. Simply put, this is a box that is welded onto the edge of the right door of the container which, when the door is closed, covers a hasp which is welded to the left hand door. This allows you to lock the hasp within the box with a padlock that is now unaccessible to the jaws of a bolt cutter, hack saw, or cutoff wheel. Generally speaking, It&#;s been my experience that lock boxes add roughly $50 to the price of the container when purchased already installed from the factory.

Floor Coating &#; Typically new containers come through from the factory with bare wooden floors typical to all containers. Occasionally, however, they come through with what I believe is a polyurethane coating on the floor. This gives the floor a nice honey color and makes spills easier to clean up. On rare occasions, I&#;ve purchase containers with a plastic laminate with a non skid surface. I feel that this is best type of floor to purchase, however, in six years of buying and selling containers&#;I&#;ve only seen four containers with this coating on the floor. They were all purchased in which leads me to believe that perhaps this may become a new trend in container flooring.

Refurbished Storage Containers

What to consider when purchasing a refurbished storage container:

• The Ugly Duckling &#; You can take a container that is absolutely horrible looking and make it look great with a cheap spray gun and a couple of gallons of paint. You can spray over rusty welds. You can hide flaking rust, blemishes, and rust that is about to break through to the interior of the container. I&#;ve seen it done and it&#;s not pretty. To the guy on the street who&#;s never bought a container before and doesn&#;t know any better, a container refurbished in this manner looks like a better deal than one that has not been refurbished that is sitting right next to it that may be actually be in much better condition. A quick and dirty paint job does wonders for the looks of a run down container. A container &#;reburbished&#; in this manner is not really refurbished. It&#;s only a matter of time before the rust comes through and the holes appear. Let the buyer beware&#;.

• Was The Container Prepped Properly? &#; The most time consuming part of refurbishing a shipping container is the prep work. All of the loose and flaky rust needs to be removed with a wire brush on a drill or a grinding wheel on an angle grinder.

• Was The Container Spot Primed? &#; Companies will claim to prep a container and then shoot it with a paint that has a &#;zinc primer built in&#;. That&#;s not a bad thing in and of itself, however, I feel it is better to take it one step further. I recommend spot priming any rust spots with a &#;rust converter&#; which turns any surface rust into a hard substance which is ready to be painted. It&#;s similar to POR 15 which is used in the restoration of automobiles that have rust.

• Paint &#; Make sure the container is painted with a high quality exterior paint. Whether it&#;s brushed, rolled, or sprayed on doesn&#;t matter as long as the entire container gets covered. Spots that get missed are typically under the flat spot where the side wall meets the beam down at the bottom of the container. Keep in mind that containers that are &#;sprayed&#; will typically have a more uniform look than those that are brushed or rolled.

Wind and Water Tight Storage Containers

• Is This Container Really Watertight? &#; The quickest way to tell if a container has visible holes in it is to go inside the container during daylight hours and have someone (you trust) lock you inside the container. Any holes in the container will be easy to spot. Even tiny holes will be visible. This is only a simple test and not a guarantee that the container is watertight. I&#;ve seen containers that have passed this test which had surface rust which, once ground off&#;.revealed a hole in the container.
• &#;A&#; Grade containers typically have few dents and rust than &#;B&#; grade containers.

As-Is Storage Containers

When purchasing an &#;As Is&#; shipping container you need to carefully consider your use of the container and your ability to repair it. &#;As Is&#; Storage Containers may or may not leak. The doors may be difficult to open and close due to rusty hinges or broken lock mechanisms. They may have dents both large and small. There may be rust or puncture holes in the container. Generally, they are not pretty, however, when available, they are an economical alternative to the buyer who is on a budget. Often they are bought by people who are less concerned with keeping their property dry and more concerned with keeping their stuff from getting stolen.

Cargo Worthy Storage Containers

• New Containers &#; Typically new containers are valid for 5 years from the date of manufacture located on the CSC Plate which is affixed to the left hand door of the container. It&#;s my understanding that you do not need a paper certificate so long as the CSC plate shows that the container is within the five year range of having to be &#;inspected&#; by a certified marine surveyor.
• Used Containers &#; Containers that are older than 5 years will need to be re &#; certified by a marine surveyor. This entails the surveyor physically inspecting the container to ensure that it meets the requirements of certification. If the container &#;passes&#;, so to speak, the surveyor will typically issue a paper certificate with the container number, some notes about the condition of the container, and the number of months the container is deemed &#;cargo worthy&#; before having to be re &#; certified. Generally this is for 24 months.

When buying new or used shipping containers, many questions can arise.  Things like quality, cost, size, weight, and what you plan on using it for, will all be important questions that need to be answered before making a purchase. 

To help you avoid any pitfalls, we've put together a comprehensive guide for buying containers so you can feel confident before your next purchase.  

Whether you need a storage container to store equipment or a portable office container for a temporary office or retail space, there are many factors to consider depending on the use.

This guide explains the precautions and factors you need to look into before you buy shipping containers.

Buying Shipping Containers? Know These Risks First

Like any industry, purchasing used equipment doesn&#;t come without risks. Here are some key factors you will want to keep in mind when you begin shopping for used shipping containers.

Container Condition Surprises

One of the common risks is that container conditions can differ drastically from what you see in pictures. You don't want to place an order based on photos and end up with a product in a deteriorated condition. To avoid such surprises, check your container supplier's reviews online.

Paying Too Much

Before committing to buy, having a ballpark estimate of the container&#;s value will ensure that you do not end up paying too much with hidden fees, exorbitant delivery charges, or excessive middleman markups.

No Support or Guarantee

When you need after-sale support, the vendor should be willing to extend it to you. To err is human - you may receive a container in a condition that's worse than expected. Hence, it becomes critical to buy a shipping container from a trusted company eager to rectify the problem. Avoid suppliers with a track record of refusing to satisfy customers or declines to offer any guarantee on the container's condition.

Delivery Disasters

Besides watching for substantial delivery fees, you will also want to understand the handling of incidents where a container is damaged during transit or installation. It may result in either you keeping the damaged container or paying to replace it, based on who sold it or hired the delivery company.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Shipping Containers

Before purchasing new or used shipping containers, it pays to know the key elements that will influence whether or not you make a smart purchase decision. Here are some guidelines you should keep in mind while buying shipping containers.

Buying vs. Renting Shipping Containers

To decide if you need to rent or buy a shipping container, ask yourself the following questions:

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• How long should you keep the container?
• How much does the container cost to purchase?
• How much will it cost to rent the container for that time?

How Long Should You Keep the Container?

The rule of thumb is if you need a container for more than 3 years, you should buy a shipping container. The same applies if you plan to make modifications to the container structure. If you want to keep the container for less than a year, it's best to rent one. You can always calculate and compare how much you need to spend to buy a shipping container and the amount you need to rent it for the same duration.

How Much Do Shipping Containers Cost to Purchase?

Purchase prices of a storage container vary widely based on its type, age, condition, and location. Here are some estimates to give you an idea about container purchase prices.

• New 20 ft. container - $ 3,000
• Used 20 ft. container - $ 2,100
• New 40 ft. container - $ 5,600
• Used 40 ft. container - $ 2,850

Note: Container costs can change significantly, based on where you buy them and their condition. In addition, a word of caution - make sure that you don't go cheap on a used container - you want to avoid inferior quality and hidden faults.

How Much Will It Cost to Rent a Container?

The prices for renting a container vary widely and range between $125 to $500 per month, depending on the desired container size and amenities. Remember to consider all the costs while calculating the purchase and rent costs. For instance, while purchasing a container, the purchase price is more than the sticker price, and you have to pay the delivery fees. On the other hand, while renting, there may be hidden fees in the recurring billing amount.

Condition and Grades of Shipping Containers

Your intent for the shipping container drives the type of container you should purchase or rent. Below is a list of the different grades of shipping containers and what they mean.

New or One-Trip Shipping Containers

Sometimes used interchangeably, new and one trip containers are almost the same. While new containers are brand-new ones that come from the manufacturer, a one-trip container carries a cargo load from its country of manufacture to the United States. Thus, a one-trip container is as good as a new container and guarantees great discounts compared to their brand-new counterparts.

Used Shipping Containers

Used shipping containers span from hardly used to completely used containers. Though a used shipping container should not be in a damaged condition, it has undergone general wear and tear. Used containers are generally classified into three categories.

Cargo-worthy (CW) Containers

Cargo-worthy containers are CSC (Container Safety Convention) certified a mandatory standard for containers in international transport. A cargo-worthy container practically offers the same performance as a new container. If you have plans to move your container in the future, go for a cargo-worthy container. However, if you plan for any exterior modifications such as window or door cuts, buying a cargo-worthy container is not a good idea. The modifications will invalidate the certification.

Wind and Water Tight (WWT) Containers

Wind and watertight (WWT) containers are very similar to cargo-worthy ones. They have a guarantee of being weather-tight for a limited period. WWT containers may need some repairs or patches due to the damage caused during shipping. However, it is a great container for general storage purposes and costs a bit less than the cargo containers. Without much wear and tear, the containers can stay at WWT condition for a long time.

As-Is Containers

These containers usually have visible damage. They are neither cargo-worthy nor wind and watertight. Normally, these containers have many cosmetic defects or are so old that the provider is not keen to spend time and money on their inspection. Because As-Is containers may have severe wear and tear issues, it is not a good idea to purchase them without an on-site inspection. Not all providers offer As-Is containers, and those who offer may not provide you with any guarantee. However, for the right purpose, they could be a good bargain.

Checklist for Container Condition

1. It's best to inspect your container in person before buying to make sure that it's free from any structural damage. Check for any holes by stepping inside the container and closing the shipping container doors - the light will shine through the holes. Check for any dents on the roof that can collect water and result in rusting.
2. Also, check the container's shape for any slanting and ensure that the cargo doors and locking mechanisms are working as expected, and the container is structurally intact. Surface rust is not a problem. However, deeper corrosion and rust can weaken the beam's strength and is a cause of concern.
3. Additionally, do not forget to check the container's underside, which is the most ignored area, and you can inspect it during the offloading.

Shipping Container Sizes

  Before purchasing your shipping container, you need to be sure about its size. Storage containers come in various sizes and dimensions, including 10 ft., 20 ft., 40 ft., and occasionally, 53 ft. High cube containers with a height more than usual containers are also available. The standard available sizes are &#;

• 40' Shipping Container - Commonly used for onsite storage, job site offices, and shipping general-purpose cargo, the 40' container has an internal storage capacity of 320 sq. ft.
• 24' Shipping Container - Suitable for project needs that do not need 40' containers and come with a storage capacity of 192 sq. ft.
• 20' Shipping Container - Ideal for commercial or industrial storage requirements, 20' container can also serve as onsite offices for small teams.
• 10' Shipping Container - With 80 sq. feet storage capacity, these containers are ideal as guard shacks and are perfect for confined spaces, and can fit into driveways and parking spaces.

If you are looking for containers in non-standard sizes, talk to your container supplier. You can find 53' long containers and high cube containers (taller than usual) too.

The Material of Shipping Containers

The material of construction plays an important role in the service life of containers. Check for containers made of 14-gauge Corten steel that sustains rust and inclement weather and lasts the longest.

Intended Use of the Container

Not all containers are ideal for all storage requirements. Based on the intended usage, you need to select the right type of container. For example, an As-Is container is good for general storage, but not ideal for keeping vulnerable items.

Delivery Fees and Options  &#;&#;&#;&#;

Transporting a container can be a hassle. Check with your provider about the delivery fees, which may be more than the quote if the delivery location is far from the container's current location. Here are different delivery options that providers often offer &#;

 

1. Tilt Bed or Roll-Off - A trailer transports the container. The delivery driver will tilt back the trailer to place the container's edge on the ground and then pull away.
2. Flat Bed - The provider sends the container on a flatbed trailer attached to a semi-truck. The customer is responsible for lifting the container off the trailer using a forklift, crane, or other equipment.
3. Customer Assist - You attach a chain to the container and the anchor point on the delivery site that belongs to the customer. The trailer then pulls away, and the container slides onto the ground.
4. Customer Pickup - Customers go to the depot at the arranged date and time to pick up the container with tow trucks and necessary equipment.

Required Features and Security

Certain features like single or double door entry, windows, office-storage combo units, and security options such as exterior bolt lock or an internal locking mechanism may not be readily available with a storage container for sale, especially in used containers. It's best to check beforehand.

Permission to Place the Container

You may need to obtain a temporary permit from the city for storing a container, especially in residential areas or high-traffic locations.

Essential Site Preparation

The site condition and the duration for which you need a container on the site will dictate the amount of site preparation. If you need a container for a few months and the site is fairly leveled and dry, there's no need for special site prep. However, if you use the container for more than a few months or want to stack it on top of other containers, you certainly need to prepare your site thoroughly. Additionally, refrain from placing your storage container on rocky land, flood-prone area, or sloping ground.

Where Should You Buy Shipping Containers?

You have several options to buy shipping containers.

Buying from Local Dealers

You can buy your container from a local dealer, a partnership that has mutual benefits. While it is usually a win-win to do business locally, it may not always be so.

Buying from Individuals

While buying from an individual can offer you a good deal, you need to be cautious as you can hardly do anything if you find leaks or holes after the purchase. You may also have to work out container delivery to your location and miss the expertise container suppliers bring. Additionally, for any damage during transit, you may end up paying for the expense.

Buying from Suppliers

A reputable and experienced supplier can offer you the right containers at a fair price with timely delivery. Suppliers let you choose from their inventory of new or used shipping containers, and you can find something that fits your budget. If you are a business, it's wiser to go with a renowned provider. Leading container providers in the United States like Mobile Modular Portable Storage have a comprehensive inventory of new and used high-security shipping containers for sale and rent at the best price. With our in-house fleet of trucks and trailers, we ensure hassle-free and timely delivery. Our dedicated team of sales specialists will guide you from start to finish, with competitive prices and reliable products.

Conclusion

Choosing a container for sale or rent can feel complicated or overwhelming for new customers and needs careful consideration of many factors. Your location, space needs, and intended use, all determine the type of container. The container quality, material, and condition play a critical role in the container's reliability and service life. Get in touch with a trusted container supplier who has industry expertise and experience and who is willing to be transparent with you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Shipping Containers

How much does it cost to buy a shipping container?

The cost of shipping containers varies widely based on their type, age, condition, and location. Besides, some applications can do with inexpensive containers, while others need nothing but the best container out there. Talk to one of our specialists at 866-459-.

What is the smallest shipping container you can buy?

By size, 10 ft. storage containers are the smallest available containers.

Are shipping containers a good investment?

If you are looking to save on warehouse expenses, storage containers are a good investment. Shipping containers reduce storage cost per square foot by at least a few dollars, and that adds up. If you need office space at multiple construction projects, office containers save you a lot of hassle and make for a cost-effective workspace. Talk to us today to learn how our clients have used containers to save time, space, and money.

Are shipping containers bulletproof?

We are glad you asked. No, shipping containers are not bulletproof unless you fortify their exterior by welding thick steel plates.

Are shipping containers waterproof?

New or one-trip containers, cargo worthy and wind and watertight containers are waterproof while there is no such guarantee for As-Is containers.

Do shipping containers need a foundation?

If you need a container for a few months and the site is fairly leveled and dry, you are good without a foundation. However, for longer space solutions or unleveled ground, you certainly need to prepare a stable foundation.

How long will shipping containers last?

Shipping containers can last up to 25 years. Nevertheless, this depends on how well you maintain the container and its condition at the time of purchase.

Are metal shipping containers fireproof?

As a container is a metal box made from galvanized steel, it's inherently fire-resistant.

How do you cut a shipping container in half?

You can certainly cut a shipping container in half using specific tools (like in this video) or by consulting your supplier. However, keep in mind that you are changing their structural integrity by modifying containers that can affect their original safety margin.

Do shipping containers need insulation?

Your shipping container will need insulation for protection from extreme heat in the summer and cold in the winter, especially if you plan to use it as an office or home. You can insulate containers in various ways, including blanket insulation, expanded foam insulation, or spray insulation.

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