Shipping Container Costs

Shipping container prices fall into 2 different categories:

• The costs for transporting freight or cargo either nationally or via exportation
• The cost of purchasing or hiring a shipping container for freight, storage or conversion

1. Freight Transportation Costs

If you are looking to transport some type goods or cargo, you are strongly advised to considering hiring or leasing a shipping container through a shipping container company or agent.

Buying a cargo container for this purpose is too expensive and makes no sense.  It may be an option, however, if you are considering a secondary use for your container, such as the construction of a container home.

2. Buying a Shipping Container

Prices for new and used shipping containers are subject to a number of variables.  In particular, worldwide demand for new containers provides the basis for market values.  Given that demand is constantly changing, manufacturers – which are largely located in the Far East (notably China) – struggle to maintain steady prices.

You will be fortunate, therefore, to find many sites quoting prices for the purchase of new and used shipping containers anywhere online.  You can expect to find wide variations between prices depending upon your geographical location and home currency.

Container Price Ranges

Prices tend to fluctuate between fairly wide ranges.  Used 20 foot containers start anywhere from US$1,900 whilst new ones are available for US$3,000 upwards.

Standard used 40 foot containers can be found around US$2,800 with newly manufactured models $4,000 and upwards.  Used 40′ high cubes start around US$3,000 with new ones fetching US$5,000 and upwards.

Our advice is to get in touch with your nearest container company or agent and request a list of current prices.  We recommend not buying over the phone but visiting the merchant if you can.  Not all containers are the same and used shipping containers should be inspected prior to purchase.

If you are unsure, you may wish to contract the services of an official IICL (The Institute of International Container Lessors) inspector who will be able to assist you.  You can find a list of certified container inspectors on the IICL website.

Hiring or Leasing a Shipping Container

Most shipping container agents or companies will also offer shipping containers for hire or lease.  This is a more common way of moving your freight or cargo.  It is unlikely, however, you would be able to lease containers for use in container home projects.

Leasing a container for storage, however, is usually a very cost-efficient option.  In addition to the cost of hire, you will need to budget for local sales taxes as well as the cost of transportation, delivery and possibly installation depending upon your requirements.

Container Hire – UK

Mr Box based in the UK offer various sizes of shipping containers for hire from only £6 (UK pounds) per week.  A 20 foot container is available at a very reasonable £9 per week and 40′ containers only £15 per week.