When to Buy a Used Shipping Container Instead of a New One
Now that you have decided to purchase a shipping container, your next question is whether to buy new or used. The answer depends on how you plan to use it and what you want to spend.
Used storage containers are units retired from cargo service. They will not look shiny and blemish-free like new ones, but you will save money. Used containers also hold their security and weather-resistant qualities. If you do not mind a few dents and some surface rust, there is no reason not to buy used.
Why Buy a Used Shipping Container?
Here are a few quick reasons buying used is a good bet. Buy used if:
- You are on a tight budget.
- You do not care about appearance. This rules out tradeshows, pop-up food trucks, boutiques and homes.
- Top-of-the-line selection is not important to you.
- You want the most affordable pricing.
- You want a long service life and will trade a few years to get a better price.
With used, you still choose the condition, color, size and configuration. You can add container modifications at any point. Ground prep is minimal.
We stock used units in three sizes:
- 20ft used standard shipping container
- 40ft used standard shipping container
- 40ft used high cube shipping container
Longer 45ft and 53ft units run through our specialized container inventory. Supply changes often, so ask us what is on the ground before you commit.
Used Shipping Container Grades: A, B, C and D Explained
“Used” is not one condition. It is a range. We grade every unit before it sells so you know what you are buying. Here is the short version.
| Grade | Rust | Doors and Seals | Floor and Roof | Best For |
| New / One Trip | None | Excellent | Excellent | Homes, offices, retail, food storage |
| A | Minimal | Very good | Good floors, few patches | Conversions, customer-facing use |
| B | Minor and superficial, spots under 6 inches | Little to no rust | A few patches | General storage |
| C | Present but mostly superficial, spots can exceed 6 inches | Functional, light rust | Many patches, some delamination | Budget storage, job sites |
| D | Structural and predominant | Hard to open, loose gaskets | Severe delamination | Mowers, four-wheelers, tools |
C grade is our most popular used option. It is not pretty, but it is structurally sound and priced right. D grade is the cheapest and still wind and water tight.
For the full breakdown of what separates each tier, read our guide to shipping container condition levels. Cosmetics are graded separately, and you can compare those on our appearance condition page.
How Industry Terms Map to Our Grades
Other sellers use different labels. Here is how they translate.
- One trip. Made a single voyage from the factory overseas. Matches our New grade.
- Cargo worthy (CW). Certified to carry cargo internationally. Carries a valid CSC safety approval plate. Usually A or B grade.
- Wind and water tight (WWT). Sealed against rain, wind and pests, but no longer certified for ocean freight. Usually B, C or D grade.
- As-is. Sold in current condition with no guarantee. Buy only if you plan to repair it yourself.
One note on cargo worthy units. The CSC plate comes from the International Convention for Safe Containers, adopted in 1972 under the International Maritime Organization. A container needs its first safety examination within five years of manufacture, then every 30 months after that. If you only need storage, you do not need a CSC plate and should not pay extra for one.
How Long Does a Used Shipping Container Last?
Longer than most buyers expect. Shipping lines typically retire a container from ocean service after 10 to 12 years. That has more to do with salt air and rough handling than with the steel wearing out.
Once a container sits on land, wear slows down sharply. A well-maintained used unit can serve another 20 to 30 years. Our D grade containers are often 20 years old or more and still keep water out.
Two things shorten that life. Standing water on the roof and untreated rust. Both are fixable. See our tips on how to keep your storage container from rusting and what really affects a container’s structural integrity.
What to Inspect Before You Buy a Used Container
When buying used, do more homework on the unit and on the seller.
- Supplier reputation. Work with a company you can verify. Do not rush. Research a few providers first. Even a used container is a real investment, so you want assurance the seller delivers what was promised. Look for fair pricing, a solid reputation and years in business. Our guide on how to avoid shipping container scams covers the warning signs.
- Container inspection. See the unit in person if you can. Step inside, shut the doors and look for pinholes of light. Those are holes. Check that the doors and locking rods work. Inspect the roof for dents that pool water and turn into rust. Note anywhere you will need to patch.
- Floor condition. Walk the whole floor and feel for soft or spongy spots. Look for stains from previous cargo. A weak floor will not carry heavy equipment.
- Corner castings. These four steel blocks bear the load when the container is lifted. Check them for cracks and rust.
- Delivery costs. Loading, hauling and placing a container takes real work. Ask what delivery costs up front and whether it is included.
- Toxic exposure. Some used containers carried chemicals or industrial goods. Factory floors are also tropical hardwood plywood treated with insecticide before installation. Older units may contain tributyltin. For living space, food storage or anything with skin contact, plan to seal or replace the floor.
- Need for repainting. You may want to repaint after taking ownership. Make repairs first, including rust spots. Treat problem areas with a rust converter, then prime and paint.
- Features. Confirm the unit has what you need before you buy:
- Single-door or double-door entry
- Windows
- Durable flooring
- Ventilation
- Internal locking system
- HVAC
- Shelving
Buying used may mean fewer units check every box on your list, so expect some compromise. You can always add modifications later. Our container equipment specifications page lists exact dimensions and weights if you need to plan around them.
What Drives the Price of a Used Shipping Container
Four things move the number on your quote.
- Grade. A C grade unit costs meaningfully less than an A grade unit of the same size.
- Size. A 40ft container holds roughly double a 20ft container. High cube adds a foot of interior height.
- Availability at the nearest yard. Containers close to you cost less to move.
- Delivery method. This is the piece buyers miss.
We deliver on a roll-back truck or a flat-bed truck. Roll-back pricing runs about $100 to $125 per hour for the round trip, plus roughly 30 minutes on site. Flat-bed is cheaper, but you unload it yourself. A 20ft container weighs about 5,000 pounds and a 40ft weighs about 9,000 pounds, so you will need a crane, forklift or boom truck.
Site access changes the cost too. Our standard truck and trailer run about 55 feet long. If your site is tight, we can use a 28-foot truck and bring one 20ft container at a time. Full details are on our shipping container delivery page, and you can walk through the site checklist in preparing for shipping container delivery.
When to Buy New Instead of Used
Used is the right call for most storage jobs. New wins in a few specific cases.
- The container will be seen by customers, such as a retail pop-up or a food service build.
- You are converting it into a home, office or anything people occupy full time.
- You are storing food, medical supplies or anything sensitive to prior cargo residue.
- You are cutting large openings for doors, windows or HVAC and want clean steel to weld into.
If any of those apply, look at our new shipping containers or read when buying a new storage container is the wise option.
Should You Rent a Storage Container Instead?
We sell and lease, so it is worth asking. Renting makes sense when your need has an end date. Think a six-month job site, a seasonal inventory overflow or a renovation.
Buying makes sense when the need runs past a year or two. At that point the monthly rental adds up past the purchase price, and you keep an asset you can resell.
If you lean toward renting, run through the questions to ask when renting a storage container first.
Used Shipping Container FAQs
Are used shipping containers worth buying?
For storage, yes. The steel structure is the same as a new unit. You are paying less for cosmetic wear that does not affect how well the container holds your equipment.
How much does a used shipping container cost?
Price depends on grade, size, yard location and delivery. A C grade 20ft unit sits at the low end and an A grade 40ft high cube at the high end. Request a free quote with your delivery ZIP for a real number.
What is the lifespan of a 20ft container?
Roughly 10 to 12 years in ocean service, then another 20 to 30 years on land with basic maintenance. Keep the roof clear and treat rust early.
Do you need a concrete slab for a shipping container?
No. The ground should be firm, solid and level. Many customers set the container on 4×4 boards, railroad ties or solid concrete blocks. That lifts it slightly, lets air move underneath and stops it sinking into soft ground.
Can I use a shipping container as a shed?
Yes, and it will outlast a wood or vinyl shed. See our comparison of a shipping container vs a storage shed.
Does a used container need a CSC plate?
Only if you plan to ship cargo internationally. For storage on your property, a wind and water tight unit is enough.
In the end, choosing new or used comes down to your job and your budget. You may not care that it does not look perfect. Maybe your budget only allows for a used model. Either way, a used shipping container serves a solid purpose and gives you years, often decades, of use.
Contact Transocean Equipment Management
Ready to buy a used shipping container? Contact our North Carolina or South Carolina offices and we will walk you through current inventory, grades and delivery. We serve North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.
