20ft / STANDARD HEIGHT
New / one-trip
A cleaner finish, with less visible wear. Check the included features and any handling marks.
Explore 20ft new / one-trip →20FT / STANDARD DRY / NEW & USED
20ft Shipping Containers for Sale
A compact footprint for storage, inventory or your next conversion. Compare condition, check what fits and plan the full delivered cost before you buy.
20ft × 8ftNominal footprint≈149 sq ftInterior floor area8ft 6inStandard exterior height
CHOOSE YOUR CONDITION
New / one-trip or used?
Compare the finish, buying budget and checks that matter to your project.
20ft / STANDARD HEIGHT
Used
Compare storage and cargo-worthy options. Check the actual floor, doors, repairs and weather sealing.
Explore 20ft used →Choose the used grade for your job
Used describes previous service. The grade and the evidence behind it determine what you can buy it for.
20ft / USED GRADE
Wind & watertight
For storage: compare weather sealing, floor condition and working doors. A WWT label does not establish approval for ocean shipping.
Explore wind & watertight →
20ft / USED GRADE
Cargo-worthy
For a transport project: compare the actual inspection, CSC examination records and acceptance by your intended carrier.
Explore cargo-worthy →
20ft / USED GRADE
As-is
For a repair project: identify the defects and price the work before comparing the complete cost with a usable container.
Explore as-is →
20ft / USED GRADE
Multi-trip / limited use
Compare an offer described as lightly used with one-trip. Confirm the actual history and finish; the label is defined by the seller.
Explore multi-trip / limited use →
20ft / USED GRADE
Economy grade
Compare budget storage offers by the defects accepted and the protection included. Economy does not automatically mean WWT or as-is.
Explore economy grade →Look inside, too.
Compare the floor surface, wall wear and visible repairs, then request close-up photos of the actual unit.
New / one-tripUsed
Illustrative appearances. Paint and rust alone do not establish weather-tightness or suitability for shipping.
01 / START WITH YOUR USE
What will you use your 20ft container for?
Choose the space, access and finish your project needs.
Tools & household storage
Plan shelving and an aisle before filling the floor. Check the floor, seals and door operation on the actual unit.
Use the buying checklist ↗Business inventory
Measure packed goods and pallets, including how you will move them through the doors. Reserve access to items at the back.
See interior dimensions ↗Jobsite storage
Keep tools near the work area. Plan a firm placement spot, door clearance and truck access as the site changes.
Plan your site ↗Office conversion
A workspace needs insulation, ventilation, power and comfortable access. Allow for the interior space taken by the fit-out.
Explore container offices ↗Workshop or frequent access
A roll-up opening can change how you reach equipment. Its clear opening and structural work need to match your use.
Compare roll-up access ↗A home or cabin project
A container is the shell. Plan the layout, structure, utilities and local approval requirements before buying it.
Explore container homes ↗02 / KNOW YOUR BUDGET
How much does a 20ft shipping container cost?
Start with a real, local price reference. These small Chicago samples compare advertised container-only prices for the same standard 20ft format.
$1,075
Average of 2 advertised Chicago offers
Observed range$925–$1,225
Standard dry containers. Before delivery and applicable taxes.
Prepare a used-container request →$2,170
Average of 2 advertised Chicago offers
Observed range$1,990–$2,350
Standard dry containers. Before delivery and applicable taxes.
Prepare a one-trip request →Observed October 8, 2026 · Chicago depot listings · USD · Reference prices, not ContainerPick offers or a US-wide average.
What these price figures include
Each average is the arithmetic mean of two advertised prices from two sellers in the Chicago market, grouped by condition. Special formats and offers with unclear cost inclusions were excluded. Delivery, unloading and applicable taxes are outside these figures. Listings can change; request a current total for your ZIP.
ContainerCondition + options
+TransportDepot to your ZIP
+UnloadingEquipment + placement
+Taxes & feesConfirm the written total
A lower listing price can still mean a higher delivered total.Compare the same condition, address and unloading scope.
Prepare my price request →03 / CHOOSE YOUR CONDITION
New, one-trip or used: what are you buying?
Condition affects appearance, repairs and the evidence you should request.
New / one-trip
In US listings, “new” often means a container that has carried cargo once from the manufacturing country. Small dents or handling marks can still be present.
Consider it whenAppearance matters or you want a cleaner starting shell for a conversion.
- Confirm whether “new” means one-trip.
- Request photos of the unit offered.
- If never loaded matters, specify it in writing.
Used / wind & watertight
WWT describes a used container offered as keeping wind and water out. Dents, worn paint, surface rust and repairs can still be part of the condition.
Consider it whenYou can accept visible wear and want enclosed storage.
- Inspect doors, seals, roof and floor.
- Ask which defects or repairs are included.
- WWT alone does not establish shipping approval.
Used / cargo worthy
Cargo worthy refers to suitability for cargo transport, rather than a cosmetic grade. The label alone does not prove a current examination or carrier acceptance.
Consider it whenYou need a unit for transport and can verify the required documentation.
- Request the inspection details.
- Confirm current safety examination status.
- Check acceptance with your intended carrier.
What does “last-trip” mean?
Do not treat “last-trip” as a defined US condition grade. Ask whether the seller means the last cargo movement before resale, a final permitted voyage or a unit being retired from service. Confirm its actual condition and intended use separately.
Is an “as-is” container a good buy?
Only if you understand the defects and repair scope. “As-is” may describe a damaged condition category or the terms of a used sale. Request a written defect list, photos and any promised repairs; do not assume it is watertight.
04 / CHECK THE FIT
Inside a 20ft container
The floor area and the door opening answer different questions. Measure both.
- Exterior length × width × height
- ≈19ft 10½in × 8ft × 8ft 6in
- Interior length
- ≈19ft 4¼in
- Interior width
- ≈7ft 8⅝in
- Interior height
- ≈7ft 10¼in
- Door opening: width × height
- ≈7ft 8⅛in × 7ft 6¼in
- Interior floor area
- ≈149 sq ft
- Exterior length × width × height
- 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m
- Interior length
- 5.900 m
- Interior width
- 2.352 m
- Interior height
- 2.395 m
- Door opening: width × height
- 2.340 × 2.292 m
- Interior floor area
- ≈13.88 m²
Representative standard-height dimensions. Interior and door measurements vary by manufacturer and unit; confirm the container offered to you.
The door is smaller than the room.Check your largest item with its pallet, packaging and handling equipment.
Leave a usable aisle
Floor area is not all usable storage once you add shelving and access.
Plan for the contents
A dry steel box does not control indoor temperature or humidity.
Check heavy loads
Ask for the actual unit’s payload and concentrated floor-load limits.
05 / COMPARE THE SPACE
20ft or 40ft: how much room do you need?
Both standard formats are nominally 8ft wide and 8ft 6in high. The main difference is length.
A shorter footprint.
Useful when the placement area is limited and your storage list fits roughly 149 sq ft of bare floor.
Build my 20ft request →About twice the floor space.
More room for longer items or a larger storage layout, with roughly 305 sq ft of bare floor. Check the longer delivery vehicle’s access.
Explore 40ft shipping containers →06 / PLAN THE LAST MILE
Make sure it can reach your site.
Send the delivery ZIP and access photos before agreeing to a delivered quote.
Truck route
Share gate width, turns, slopes and overhead obstructions. The transporter needs space beyond the container’s footprint.
Unloading method
Tilt-bed delivery slides the unit off. Flatbed delivery needs separate lifting equipment. Agree who provides it.
Placement surface
Prepare a firm, level support plan suited to the ground and intended loads. Confirm it before the truck arrives.
Door direction
Mark the exact spot and which end should face the access area. Leave room to swing the doors and load your items.
BEFORE YOU ORDER
A few final buying questions
Will the container in the photos be the one I receive?
The images on this page are illustrations. Before buying, request current photos of the specific unit or confirm how the seller selects it. Put any color or appearance requirement in the order.
Can a dry container protect temperature-sensitive goods?
A standard dry container does not actively control temperature or humidity. Explain what you will store so you can assess ventilation, condensation management, insulation or refrigerated equipment.
Do I need permission to put one on my property?
Check with the local authority for your address and intended use before delivery. Storage, an occupied workspace and a dwelling can have different requirements; buying the container does not establish approval.
When can my 20ft container be delivered?
Have the supplier confirm the unit, delivery date, unloading method and site access together. A container listing alone does not confirm availability for your ZIP.
BUY WITH THE FULL PICTURE
Build my 20ft quote request →Your 20ft. Your use. Your delivered budget.
Put the size, condition and site details in one clear request.