A used 20ft shipping container is the lowest-cost route to secure, weatherproof storage. Each one has spent years carrying cargo for a shipping line before being retired and sold. The paint is faded and the panels carry the odd dent, but the steel shell, floor and doors still keep goods dry and locked away. Prime Cargo Box sells every used 20ft shipping container wind and watertight, with the condition described honestly on your quote.
If you want storage rather than a showpiece, this is the container to buy. Below you will find the specification, the difference between used grades, what wear to expect and how to get the most life out of it.
Why Buy a Used 20ft Shipping Container?
Price is the obvious answer. A used 20ft shipping container typically costs a fraction of a new one and still gives you around 33 m³ of space behind a steel door. For a farm shed, a builder’s store, a garden equipment store or a place to keep household goods during a move, that is often all that matters.
The 20ft size is also the easiest to live with. It fits on most driveways and yards, needs a small base, and can be delivered by a wider range of trucks than a 40ft. Many 20ft units also have forklift pockets, so they can be moved around a site once empty.
Used 20ft Shipping Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 20ft standard dry container (20′ GP) |
| Condition | Used, wind and watertight |
| External length | 20 ft (6.06 m) |
| External width | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| External height | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Internal length | Approx. 19 ft 4 in (5.90 m) |
| Internal width | Approx. 7 ft 8 in (2.35 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m) |
| Door opening | Approx. 7 ft 8 in wide x 7 ft 5 in high (2.34 x 2.28 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 1,170 cu ft (33.2 m³) |
| Tare weight | Approx. 4,850 to 5,300 lbs (2,200 to 2,400 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Typically 67,200 lbs (30,480 kg) |
| Construction | Corten steel, corrugated walls and roof |
| Floor | Marine plywood or hardwood, sound with signs of use |
| Doors | Double cargo doors at one end, four locking bars |
Used containers come from different manufacturers and years, so weights and exact internal sizes vary slightly. We give you the data plate figures for the unit we supply.
Understanding Used Container Grades
Not every used 20ft shipping container is the same. The trade uses a few grades, and the price difference between them is real.
- Cargo worthy (CW): structurally sound enough to carry cargo by sea and eligible for a CSC plate. Best if you want to ship goods in it.
- Wind and watertight (WWT): keeps weather and pests out and locks securely, but may not meet shipping standards. Ideal for storage.
- As-is: sold with known defects. We don’t sell this grade as standard, because most buyers are better off paying a little more for a WWT unit.
Our standard used stock is wind and watertight. If you need a cargo worthy unit for export under the CSC convention, say so when you request a quote.
What to Expect on Arrival
Expect a container that looks like it has worked for a living. Common signs of age include dents in the side walls, surface rust around the roof edges and bottom rails, faded or patchy paint, old shipping line logos and stickers, and a floor with stains and scuffs. These are cosmetic.
What you should not see is daylight. Stand inside with both doors closed: if light shows through the roof, walls or door seals, the container is not watertight. The floor should be firm underfoot, and both doors should close and lock with reasonable effort. Every used 20ft shipping container we sell passes these checks before delivery.
Where a Used Container Makes Most Sense
- Farms storing feed, fencing, tools and small machinery
- Construction sites where the container will take knocks anyway
- Homeowners storing furniture during a move or renovation
- Clubs, schools and community groups needing low-cost storage
- Workshops and hobby spaces where the outside will be painted or clad
Used, One Trip or New?
Used makes sense when budget comes first and looks come second. If you want years of low-maintenance service, the one trip 20ft shipping container is near new at a mid-range price, and the new 20ft shipping container is the top grade. For more height at a budget price, see the used 20ft high cube container, and if you need double the space, the used 40ft shipping container.
You can compare all second-hand stock on our used shipping containers for sale page.
Simple Upgrades for a Used Container
Because the outside of a used 20ft shipping container already shows wear, owners are often happy to modify it. Popular additions include a lockbox over the padlock lugs, roof or wall vents to reduce condensation, LED lighting, shelving along one wall and a fresh coat of paint to tidy it up. A personnel door or window can also be cut in, as long as the frame around the opening is reinforced. Our container modification team can carry out these jobs before delivery so the unit arrives ready to use.
What Affects the Price of a Used 20ft Shipping Container?
Used container prices move with supply. When shipping lines retire lots of containers in one region, prices fall there; when trade is busy and fewer boxes are sold off, prices rise. Beyond the market, the age of the unit, the amount of rust, the floor condition and whether it holds a valid CSC plate all change the price of a used 20ft shipping container. Delivery is quoted separately and depends on distance and the truck needed.
A quote that looks too cheap usually hides something, such as an as-is container with holes or a floor that needs replacing. Always ask which grade you are being quoted.
Checking a Used Container Yourself
If you collect or inspect a used 20ft shipping container in person, take five minutes over it. Walk around the outside and look at the bottom rails and corner posts, where serious rust usually starts. Tap the roof from inside with a broom handle to find soft spots. Open both doors fully, close them again and make sure all four locking bars seat in their keepers. Finally, check the floor near the doors, the area that takes the most forklift traffic, for soft or cracked boards.
Making It Last
A used 20ft shipping container can easily give another ten years or more with basic care. Place it on a level base of gravel, concrete or blocks so the frame stays square. Keep the roof clear of standing water. Wire brush and paint rust spots when you see them, and grease the hinges and locking bars once or twice a year. Vents and moisture absorbers help if you store anything sensitive to damp.
Delivery
Prepare a firm, level spot about 6.5 m by 2.5 m with room to open the doors. Check the route for low branches, tight gates and soft ground. Our shipping and delivery policy covers how delivery is quoted and booked.
How to Buy a Used 20ft Shipping Container
- Request a quote. Tell us the quantity, your location and whether you need storage or a cargo worthy unit.
- Review the condition. We describe the grade and condition of the stock available.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Inspect on delivery. Check the doors, floor and roof before the driver leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is a used 20ft shipping container?
Usually 10 to 15 years. The manufacture date is on the data plate on the door, together with the container number and weight ratings. A well-kept older container can be in better shape than a younger one that has been neglected, so judge the condition rather than the age alone.
Is a used 20ft shipping container watertight?
Yes, all our standard used units are wind and watertight. Keep it level so the door seals stay in contact.
Can I pick the colour or the exact unit?
Colours depend on stock. Ask us for photos and we can tell you what is available, or arrange a repaint. Photos of the actual unit are also the best way to judge dents and rust before you commit, and we are happy to send them with your quote.
Can I ship goods overseas in a used 20ft shipping container?
Only in a cargo worthy unit with a valid CSC plate. Ask for one when you order.
Do you deliver worldwide?
Yes. Contact Prime Cargo Box with your location for a delivered price on a used 20ft shipping container.
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