A used 40ft high cube container gives you the biggest volume of any standard container, about 76 m³, for a used-container price. It is 9 ft 6 in tall instead of 8 ft 6 in, so you get a full extra foot of headroom inside. These units have served their time with shipping lines and been sold off the fleet. Prime Cargo Box sells every used 40ft high cube container wind and watertight and describes the condition clearly before you buy.
If you need lots of storage space and don’t mind a container that shows its working life, this is a very cost-effective choice. Here is the specification, what wear to expect, the grades available and how to look after it.
Why Choose a Used 40ft High Cube Container?
High cubes have been the workhorse of container shipping for years, so there is a steady supply of retired units. That keeps prices close to those of a used standard 40ft, while giving you about 12% more volume. For storage, the extra height means taller shelving, pallets stacked two high and room for machinery that won’t fit under a standard roof.
For projects where the outside will be painted, clad or hidden, a used 40ft high cube container is often the smartest buy. You get the same steel shell and floor area as a new unit for a fraction of the money, and the extra height makes insulated conversions feel like normal rooms.
Used 40ft High Cube Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 40ft high cube dry container (40′ HC) |
| Condition | Used, wind and watertight |
| External length | 40 ft (12.19 m) |
| External width | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| External height | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Internal length | Approx. 39 ft 5 in (12.03 m) |
| Internal width | Approx. 7 ft 8 in (2.35 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 8 ft 10 in (2.69 to 2.70 m) |
| Door opening | Approx. 7 ft 8 in wide x 8 ft 5 in to 8 ft 6 in high (2.34 x 2.58 to 2.59 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 2,690 cu ft (76 m³) |
| Tare weight | Approx. 8,600 to 9,000 lbs (3,900 to 4,100 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Typically 67,200 lbs (30,480 kg); some units are rated 32,500 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 |
Because used containers come from various builders and years, sizes and weights vary a little. We quote the data plate figures of the unit we supply.
Grades: Cargo Worthy or Wind and Watertight
Our standard used stock is wind and watertight (WWT): it keeps out rain, wind and pests and locks securely. That is the right grade for storage on your own land. If you plan to ship goods in the container, you need a cargo worthy (CW) unit that has been examined and plated under the International Convention for Safe Containers. Ask for a cargo worthy used 40ft high cube container when you request your quote and we will source one.
What Wear Is Normal?
- Outside: dents, scrapes, faded paint, surface rust and old shipping line logos
- Roof: shallow dents and weathered paint, but no holes
- Floor: stains and scuffs, but firm and unbroken
- Doors: may be stiff, but must close and lock properly
- Seals: aged rubber that still keeps water out
The steel is Corten, a weathering steel that forms a protective rust layer, so surface rust on an older box is expected and not a structural problem. Rust that goes right through a panel, or a floor that feels soft, is not acceptable, and we don’t sell units with those faults.
Where It Works Best
A used 40ft high cube container suits buyers like these:
- Bulk storage on farms, yards and industrial sites
- Builders storing tall materials, scaffolding and machinery
- Warehouse overflow with racking or stacked pallets
- Workshops and storage buildings that will be insulated and clad
- Budget export shipments in a cargo worthy unit
Loading Tips
With about 2.70 m of internal height, a used 40ft high cube container can usually take two standard pallets stacked on top of each other, provided the loads are light enough. Keep heavy items low and spread them along the floor, and use the lashing rings on the bottom rails to tie down anything that could move. If your goods are short and heavy, you will hit the weight limit before you fill the space, so a standard-height box may be the better value.
Compare 40ft High Cube Grades
We stock the 40ft high cube in three conditions. The new 40ft high cube container is unmarked and never used. The one trip 40ft high cube container has made one voyage and is close to new. This used 40ft high cube container is the budget option. If you don’t need the extra height, compare the used 40ft shipping container in standard height.
See all second-hand stock on our used shipping containers for sale page.
What Affects the Price of a Used 40ft High Cube Container?
Prices move with local supply. When shipping lines retire many high cubes in one area, prices drop; when trade is busy and fewer are sold, they rise. Beyond the market, the age of the unit, how much rust and dent repair it has, the state of the floor and whether it holds a valid CSC plate all change what a used 40ft high cube container is worth. A cargo worthy unit costs more than a wind and watertight one because it has passed a structural examination.
If a quote is much lower than others for the same size, ask which grade it is. Very cheap boxes are often sold as-is, with holes or floors that need replacing before they are any use for storage.
Upgrades Worth Considering
Owners often improve a used container before or after delivery. Useful additions include a lockbox over the padlock lugs, vents to cut condensation, LED lighting, shelving, and a fresh coat of paint to tidy the outside. Bigger jobs like personnel doors, windows and insulation are popular in high cubes because of the extra headroom. Our container modification team can carry out the work before the unit leaves the depot.
Delivery
A high cube is about 30 cm taller on the truck than a standard container, so check the delivery route for low bridges, gates, branches and cables. The truck needs a long, straight approach and firm ground. On site, prepare a level base about 12.5 m by 2.5 m using concrete, gravel or blocks under the corners. Keeping it level is especially important with an older container, because a twisted frame makes worn doors harder to close. Our shipping and delivery policy explains how delivery is quoted.
Checking a Used High Cube
Whether you inspect it yourself or rely on our photos, the checks are the same. Look at the corner posts and bottom rails for heavy rust. Step inside, close the doors and look for daylight. Walk the floor, paying attention to the area just inside the doors where forklifts run. Then open and close each door and make sure all four locking bars seat properly. A used 40ft high cube container that passes those four checks will serve you well as storage.
Keeping a Used Container in Good Shape
Clear leaves and standing water off the roof, wire brush and paint rust spots once a year, and grease the hinges and locking bars. Keep soil and grass away from the bottom rails so they can dry. With that basic care, a used 40ft high cube container will keep doing its job for many years.
How to Buy a Used 40ft High Cube Container
- Request a quote. Quantity, location and whether you need storage or a cargo worthy unit.
- Review condition and photos. We describe the stock available and send pictures on request.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Inspect on delivery. Check doors, floor and roof before the driver leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is a used 40ft high cube container?
Typically 10 to 15 years. The manufacture date is on the data plate on the door.
Is a used 40ft high cube container watertight?
Yes. Our standard used units are wind and watertight. Keep the container level so the door seals stay in contact.
How much more does it hold than a standard 40ft?
About 8.6 m³ more, thanks to the extra foot of height, on the same footprint.
Can a used 40ft high cube container be shipped overseas?
Only if it is cargo worthy with a valid CSC plate. Ask for that grade when you order.
Do you deliver worldwide?
Yes. Contact Prime Cargo Box with your location for a delivered price.
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