How Much Should I Pay For a 20-foot Container?
Thursday 12 June 2025
Updated: Wednesday 25 June 2025
Filed in: General
Like most product ranges in any sector, there's a marked variation in price for a 20-foot shipping container which is reflected by a number of factors - where you buy from, how much you're willing to pay and do you have any specific requirements. This guide will help you decide what is reasonable price for your purse.
20ft shipping containers are not a one-size fits all - apart from the size of course! 20ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6in high are fixed dimensions, but beyond this they can be be used or new, modified or unmodified, repainted or unpainted. These account for marked variations in price, along with the general condition of the container and the retailer's reputation - for example with groceries you can chose to shop in the middle of Lidl, or Waitrose. You know for sure you'll pay less in Lidl, but if you have a Waitrose budget you may want the reassurance you're getting a top quality product.
Budget containers
You will find plenty of bargain basement containers from places such as Ebay, middlemen operating as resellers from their laptops, bargain basement sections from reputable websites, or even scammers who will "sell" you a cheap container that doesn't exist. These 20ft shipping containers range from arrange £1,200 - £1,400, but are generally "sold as seen" from online stock images. They won't include any refurbishments such as repainting, a lock box or delivery costs, They won't come with an industry standard warranty either. They could be in poor condition that could mean a leaks, or racking out (where the metal has warped and the doors won't align to close properly). Cheap and cheerful, no frills can sometimes work out well for limited budgets, but it's a risk and could end up costing you more overall - from a complete waste of money to paying out for ongoing repairs, or having to replace it a lot sooner than you would with a better condition container from a specialist shipping container company.Benefits of paying a little more
A reputable shipping container company will have their own container depot, where they can hold 20ft shipping containers for sale and have workshops on site to carry out refurbishments, repairs and any modifications you may require to customise your container. There are no middlemen, you deal directly with company you are buying from, which means you can communicate first hand with the seller and ask for photos of the actual container you're buying before the point of sale. Standard industry practice for reputable companies (check Google reviews of the company to be sure) is a free warranty to protect your purchase if anything goes wrong.
Containers Direct currently retail new and used 20-foot containers at competitive current market value prices, which include a free lock box, 1 year warranty on used containers and a 3 year warranty on new containers. A choice of four door types to suit your requirements can be ordered - the most popular choices, S1 and S2 doors are the best value. With two decades of experience and five-star reviews, Containers Direct are a recommended company for best prices that reflect best quality.
A menu of optional extras completed on site at Containers Direct are offered to customise your 20ft container and optimise performance. For example repainting for a used container to improve appearance and extend its life, ply lining to eliminate condensation and even wood cladding for an aesthetically pleasing external appearance. These will be added on to the cost of the container, but improve its value.
Find out more about container modifications and container conversions
How to bag yourself a bargain
If you want to pay less for a 20-foot container, but still buy a quality product from a trusted seller, then it's worth checking out if they have a discounted or clearance range. These are genuine offers, either to make way for new stock at the depot, part-exchange or buy backs, or in the case of containers with modifications, the client no longer requires the container after the order has been placed. These are cheaper than standard stock prices, but not because they are sub-standard.
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