New & One-Trip 40ft Shipping Containers for Sale

In container listings, “new” commonly means one-trip: a container built overseas that carried one cargo load to its first destination. It is not necessarily factory-unused. Loading, lifting, transport and depot handling can leave scratches, small dents or other blemishes.

Ask for the manufacture date, stated travel history, current unit photos and any repairs. Specify the color or finish you need in writing. An example photograph does not establish the appearance of the container you will receive.

These local advertised prices are reference points for one standard-height container. Request a current quote for your ZIP; High Cube and extra-door configurations have separate prices.

Confirm delivery, unloading, taxes and site work in the itemized total. Compare the same condition, door layout and placement service across offers.

Compare the delivered one-trip offer with a sound used unit plus the work your project needs. For a working yard, ordinary cosmetic wear may be acceptable. For visible storage, include cleaning, repairs and the desired finish across the full long body.

Scroll sideways to see the full layout.

The example below uses 24-inch-deep shelving zones on both sides and a chosen 4ft clear entry zone. A representative bare standard 40ft interior leaves about 44.6 inches between those zones, before shelf uprights, protruding stock or lining. This is a planning example; measure the allocated unit and check the space your handling equipment needs.

With a one-trip unit, agree the storage plan before paying for finish work: shelf attachments, a new access opening or electrical installation can affect the painted surfaces. The condition premium buys the selected shell; shelving and installation remain separate items.

Two 20ft units do not make one continuous 40ft interior. Side-by-side placement changes the site shape, while end-to-end placement still leaves separate walls and doors. Include access around each entrance and each support location in the site plan.

Entry space affects shelving too. With the illustrated 4ft entry zone in each container, the planned shelving runs total about 71ft along the two walls of one 40ft, versus about 61ft across four walls in two 20ft units. Those are horizontal layout lengths before frames, not shelf capacities.

Compare two current 20ft offers with one current 40ft offer using the same condition and finish requirements. Add each container, the quoted trips and placements, site work and options. Neither arrangement is automatically cheaper.

This page concerns standard-height dry containers: nominally 40 ft long, 8 ft wide and 8 ft 6 in high. A 40ft High Cube is nominally 9 ft 6 in high with the same footprint. It adds vertical room, rather than extra floor length or width.

Measure tall packed items against the actual doorway. For a fit-out, allow for the floor, lining and ceiling. Choose height before comparing condition and price; extra height and an extra door arrangement are separate specifications.

• Request photos down both long sides, across the roof, inside to the far end, and of the floor, corners, doors and seals.
• Check handling damage, repairs, staining, odors and cleaning. Operate both doors and locking bars, and inspect the gaskets and full floor rather than judging only the fresh-looking exterior.
• Confirm the included fittings, lockbox and door layout rather than assuming they accompany every one-trip offer.
• For cargo transport, confirm current examination status, required inspection documents and carrier acceptance for the actual unit.

For regular order picking, lay out the shelves, lighting and entry space together. For a conversion, coordinate openings, lining and services before fabrication so the finished clear space matches the project.

For visible storage, decide whether the offered finish needs no work, local touch-up or a full color change. Describe acceptable marks across both long walls and the roof. A one-trip label does not make every scratch or dent irrelevant to your order.

If comparing with a repainted used unit, keep steel repairs, surface preparation and the finish as separate line items. A dented roof can hold water, while exposed steel at damaged paint needs attention. A fresh color cannot tell you what was repaired underneath.

For planned openings or services, list cutting, reinforcement where required, weather sealing, paint around altered areas and the finished interior. Include the fabricator’s assessment of the actual shell and floor. Paying for limited prior wear does not settle the design of an occupied workspace.

The 40 ft × 8 ft footprint is only the final placement area. The truck needs an assessed approach, turning space and room for unloading. Share gates, slopes, overhead obstructions and ground conditions, and agree the door orientation and suitable support.

A tilt-bed normally slides the container to ground level; a flatbed normally requires separate lifting equipment. Confirm who supplies and operates that equipment, placement limits and the charge. Depot pickup also requires suitable transport and unloading arrangements.