How much does a shipping container cost?
Shipping container prices swing widely depending on what you buy and where it's coming from. Three factors set the sticker price — size, type, and condition — and a fourth, delivery, is quoted separately. Here's how each one moves the number.
What drives the price
Size is the first lever: a 10ft unit costs less than a 20ft, which costs less than a 40ft. Type matters just as much — a plain standard box is the baseline, while specialty units like refrigerated (reefer), flat rack, open-side, and DNV offshore containers cost significantly more because of their engineering.
Condition is the third lever. The same 20ft box can carry very different prices depending on whether it's a near-new one-trip unit or an older wind-and-water-tight used container.
Typical price ranges
Used and wind-and-water-tight units are the most affordable and are ideal for straightforward storage. Cargo-worthy units — certified structurally sound and export-fit — sit in the middle. One-trip containers (shipped once from the factory) cost the most but look and last nearly like new.
Every listing on our site shows live pricing for the exact size, type, and condition, so you never have to guess a range.
The cost buyers forget: delivery
Delivery is priced by distance from the nearest depot to your site, not baked into the unit price. That's actually good for you — you pay only for the haul you need instead of a padded flat fee. Enter your ZIP on any product page for an instant estimate, and we confirm exact freight on your quote.
Related
Frequently asked questions
- What's the cheapest shipping container option?
- A used or wind-and-water-tight 10ft or 20ft standard container is the most affordable. It's watertight and secure — perfect for storage where cosmetics don't matter.
- Why do one-trip containers cost more?
- One-trip units have only made a single voyage from the factory, so they're structurally near-new with minimal wear. You pay a premium for the condition and longer lifespan.
- Is delivery included in the price?
- No — delivery is quoted separately based on your distance from the nearest depot, so you only pay for the actual haul. You'll see an estimate by ZIP before you commit.