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Buying a shipping container online can be cost effective and help you to save valuable time. However, it is not without pitfalls. The most important things are to define your requirements before you buy and to find a reputable website that can provide the right shipping container for your needs. Here is a look at what you need to know before you buy shipping containers online.
What size shipping container do you need?
There are several standard sizes of shipping container available, and it is important to choose correctly. Buy one that’s too big and you will spend more than necessary but choose one that’s too small and it might not hold all the items you need to ship or store.
Whether they are for transporting items or for use as on-site storage containers, you will also need space for delivery. When you shop online for a shipping container, be sure to check the delivery options. This includes the time frame and charges, as well as any specific requirements to make sure the hauliers can successfully deliver your shipping container to the required location.
Also, remember that shipping containers should adhere to International Organization for Standardization dimensions. This is to ensure they can be stacked uniformly on cargo ships and rail cars.
Shipping container sizing guide
To help you decide what size container you may need, here are the most common options with an idea of what they each hold.
- Buy a 10ft shipping container to transport goods equivalent to the contents of a one-bedroom apartment by land, for document archives, or for use as on-site storage containers. Total volume is around 536 cubic feet (cu ft).
- Buy a 20ft shipping container for moving the contents of a three-bedroom house, or for transporting two standard-sized automobiles, or multiple electrical goods, up to 100 washing machines or 400 flat-screen TVs. Total volume is around 1,100 cu ft.
- Buy a 40ft shipping container if you need to move the contents of a large house, while typical industrial uses include transporting sizable quantities of lighter consumer goods, such as fabrics. Total volume is around 2,100 cu ft.
It should be noted that sea freight companies may only accept 20ft and 40ft containers. In fact, standard shipping containers are measured in twenty-foot equivalent units, abbreviated as TEUs. So, if you buy a 10ft shipping container, it may not be suitable for sea shipping.
How much should I budget?
You should expect to pay between $1,400 and $3,500 for a shipping container. However, they can cost more. For example, if you need to buy reefer containers, which are suitable for transporting refrigerated goods, they can be more expensive. So, it is important to shop around to ensure you buy shipping containers from a source that is reputable and reliable but also one that is competitively priced.
While there are lots of suppliers that sell shipping containers online, finding the right one for your needs can be a slow and frustrating process. When looking online for shipping containers for sale, Evergreen Containers is one site that can help you to save time and money. The large database of Evergreen containers is compiled from local suppliers, so you are sure to find one that is suitable for your needs and fits your budget.
