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shipping container costs

Shipping Container Costs: An Ultimate Guide

VWB Blog 2 years ago 1

Did you know that around 90% of the world’s goods are shipped by sea? If you’re looking for the safest and most secure transportation method, look no further than shipping containers.

But before you start looking into shipping container costs, it’s important to consider exactly what it is you’re looking for. Shipping containers is a broad term for a large range of containers, with a number of different shapes, sizes, and modifications on offer.

If you want to know more about shipping containers and how much you might look to spend on one, keep reading our shipping container cost guide!

What Is a Shipping Container?

Contrary to what the name suggests, you can use shipping containers for a whole lot more than transporting goods.

Generally speaking, however, a shipping container is a unit made of materials durable enough to cope with harsh conditions that they may encounter when being transported around the world

They are most commonly made of steel and come in a range of sizes. This makes it difficult to give an accurate cost, but expect to pay anywhere between $1400 and $6000 for one.

What Sizes Are Available?

When you picture a shipping container, you’re probably thinking of a Conex box. They are the original and most common type of shipping container. It’s relatively easy to find Conex boxes for sale.

But beyond this, there is plenty of variety.

A standard shipping container is 8ft6 in (2.59m) high by 8 feet (2.44m) wide, and will usually be either 20 or 40 feet in length. While this is obviously very large, sometimes it’s either too big or would you believe, too small for purpose! Here are a few more bespoke options;

  • “high-cube” containers are taller, at 9.5 ft (2.89m), and are especially useful for transporting or storing awkwardly sized items
  • 10ft and 8ft containers are perfect for storing smaller items, however, they can’t be shipped in the same way as standard containers

As you can see, the cost will vary greatly depending on what size you need.

Are There Different Types of Shipping Containers?

Sometimes, you may need a specific modification to your shipping container; for example, if you need to transport chilled items or liquids. Thankfully there are a whole host of options available to you;

  • Open-sided containers have an opening along the side rather than on the end
  • Tunnel containers have doors on both ends as opposed to just one
  • Flat-rack—while essentially still a shipping container, these are collapsible and have no roof or side panels
  • Open-top containers have a tarpaulin roof that is removable
  • Pallet containers are built to fit a 2.5m pallet on the inside
  • Tank containers can store liquids
  • Riping container costs are variable

As you can see there are shipping containers fit for almost any purpose.

Shipping Container Costs Vary Greatly

It’s not particularly easy to answer questions on shipping container costs without knowing the exact requirements. Modifications and bespoke containers will naturally cost a little more than a standard Conex box.

Did you find this article useful? Check out more like it on the blog!

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