Used Shipping Containers for Sale

Ever heard of the saying “a man’s no longer wanted shipping container is another man’s way of saving some big money”? I guess not, because I just made it up. Nevertheless, it’s true – you can save some serious cash if you buy some of the many used shipping containers for sale out there.

Second Hand Shipping Containers For Sale

A common misconception says that all used stuff is broken or, at least, won’t function as good as a new one. This can be quite far from the truth when it comes to shipping containers. A lot of carriers, for instance, sell their used containers for varied reasons:

• They no longer need containers of that size. They may have started
  with 10ft containers and now that their business has expanded they have
  switched to 40ft ones.
• They have run out of business and need to clear their stocks and
  assets.
• They are somewhat damaged and fixing them isn’t worth their time.

Buying a used shipping container can be a wise investment and quite a money saver. It’s not uncommon to find used containers at 50% the value of a new one – since prices start at $1,000, you can do the math and see how much you can save.

What to look for when buying used shipping containers

In no particular order, here are the main criteria you should take into account when shopping for a second hand shipping container:

• The condition they are in. While you can do some minor cosmetic
  adjustments on your own – like re-paint and fix some dints – there is hardly
  something to be done for heavily deteriorated containers without reaching
  deep into your pocket.
• Proof that they have been properly cleaned and sanitized. You should
  be particularly interested in this if you are going to transport sensitive
  items like food.
• The size. What are you going to transport? Office supplies?
  Vehicles? Furniture? Standard shipping containers are 7’8″ wide and either
  19’4″ or 39’5″ long, so make sure you get the right one for your needs.

Buying versus renting shipping containers

You don’t need to buy a shipping container if you are simply moving out from one place to another and don’t plan on using it in the near future. Containers for rent start at $200 or less, while the cheapest used one is $1,000 or more. Some service providers may also include storage in this rate – if you have just sold your house and your new one isn’t ready, they can store the containers for you.

However, if you are a wholesaler or ship bulky merchandise frequently then you should have your own containers. Do the math, see how frequently you would need a shipping container and see if it’s worth buying it. Remember, if you own it then all associated costs are yours too – you will need to put aside a monthly budget for inspections and repairing.