A used 20ft high cube container is a compact 20ft box with a full extra foot of height, sold at a used-container price. It stands 9 ft 6 in tall and gives close to 2.70 m of clear height inside, against about 2.39 m in a standard twenty. Prime Cargo Box sells every used 20ft high cube container wind and watertight, with the condition described honestly before you buy.
Used 20ft high cubes are less common than standard twenties, because shipping lines build far more 40ft high cubes. When they do come onto the market, they are a smart buy for anyone with limited ground space who needs extra headroom. Below is the specification, what to expect from a used unit and how to choose the right grade.
Why Choose a Used 20ft High Cube Container?
Most sites that can take a 20ft container can’t take a 40ft. A standard used twenty solves the space problem but limits you on height. A used 20ft high cube container keeps the same 6.06 m by 2.44 m footprint and adds about 4 m³ of volume through height alone. That extra room lets you fit taller shelving, stack light pallets two high, store machinery with roll bars or tall frames, and insulate the walls and ceiling without the space feeling cramped.
Buying used keeps the cost down. The container has worked for years at sea, so it will show dents, faded paint and old markings, but the steel shell, floor and doors still keep goods dry and secure.
Used 20ft High Cube Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 20ft high cube dry container (20′ HC) |
| Condition | Used, wind and watertight |
| External length | 20 ft (6.06 m) |
| External width | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| External height | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Internal length | Approx. 19 ft 4 in (5.90 m) |
| Internal width | Approx. 7 ft 8 in (2.35 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) |
| Door opening | Approx. 7 ft 8 in wide x 8 ft 5 in high (2.34 x 2.58 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 1,320 cu ft (37.4 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 |
Sizes and weights vary slightly between builders and years. The external dimensions follow ISO 668, so the container fits standard trailers and lifting gear. We quote the data plate figures for the unit we supply.
Which Grade Do You Need?
Our standard used stock is wind and watertight: it keeps out wind, rain and pests and locks securely, which is all you need for storage. If you want to ship goods in it, ask for a cargo worthy unit, which has been examined as fit to carry cargo and can hold a valid plate under the International Convention for Safe Containers. Cargo worthy used 20ft high cube container stock is limited, so mention it early.
What Condition to Expect
- Outside: dents, scrapes, surface rust and old shipping line logos
- Roof: shallow dents and weathered paint, but no holes
- Floor: stained and scuffed, but firm
- Doors: may be stiff, but close and lock properly
- Seals: aged but keeping water out
The simple test is to stand inside with the doors shut. If no daylight shows, the container is watertight. Every used unit passes this check before it leaves us.
Popular Uses
Customers usually buy a used 20ft high cube container for jobs like these:
- Garden and farm storage for ride-on mowers, quad bikes and tall tools
- Builders’ stores where scaffolding and long ladders need to stand upright
- Small workshops and hobby spaces that will be insulated
- Stock rooms with shelving to the ceiling
- Storage for clubs, schools and community groups on a budget
Loading and Layout
Use the height. Run shelving up both walls and keep a walkway down the middle, or stack light pallets two high along one side. Keep heavy items low and close to the floor, and leave a clear area just inside the doors so you can reach everything. If you store anything that can absorb moisture, keep it off the floor on pallets and add vents, because condensation forms on the ceiling of any closed steel box when the temperature drops overnight.
Inspecting a Used 20ft High Cube Container
Whether you check the unit in person or from our photos, look at the same four things. First, the corner posts and bottom rails, where heavy rust tends to start on older boxes. Second, the roof: from inside with the doors closed, there should be no pin-pricks of light. Third, the floor, especially the first metre inside the doors where forklifts run. Fourth, the doors themselves, which should swing fully open, close square and lock with all four bars seated.
A used 20ft high cube container that passes those checks will give years of dependable storage. Cosmetic dents and faded paint don’t affect that.
Is It Right for a Conversion?
For a small office, studio or workshop, the high cube is the better 20ft shell. After adding 50 to 75 mm of insulation and a ceiling lining, you still have well over 2.4 m of headroom, which feels like a normal room. A used 20ft high cube container keeps the project budget down, and since the outside will usually be painted or clad, old dents and logos won’t matter. Plan window and door positions away from the corner posts, and have the frame reinforced around every opening.
Compare 20ft Options
If you want a near-new container, the one trip 20ft high cube container has made one voyage, and the new 20ft high cube container is unmarked. If height doesn’t matter, the used 20ft shipping container in standard height costs less.
See every second-hand unit on our used shipping containers for sale page, or browse the 20ft containers range.
What Affects the Price of a Used 20ft High Cube Container?
Supply is the main driver. Used 20ft high cubes come onto the market in smaller numbers than standard boxes, so prices can vary more between regions. The age of the unit, rust and dent repairs, the floor and whether it is cargo worthy all affect the price of a used 20ft high cube container. Delivery is quoted separately.
Upgrades
A used box is a good base for upgrades because nobody minds cutting into it. Common additions are a lockbox over the padlock lugs, vents, LED lighting, shelving, a personnel door and a fresh coat of paint. Our container modification team can do this before delivery.
Delivery
A 20ft container is easy to deliver, but a high cube stands close to 4 m tall on the truck, so check gates, carports, trees and overhead cables. Prepare a firm, level base about 6.5 m by 2.5 m, with room to open the doors. Level ground is important with an older container, as worn doors bind quickly if the frame twists. Our shipping and delivery policy explains how delivery is quoted.
Looking After It
Clear standing water from the roof, treat rust spots with a wire brush and paint once a year, grease the hinges and locking bars, and keep the bottom rails free of soil. With that basic care, a used 20ft high cube container will last for many more years.
How to Buy a Used 20ft High Cube Container
- Request a quote. Quantity, location and whether you need storage or cargo worthy.
- See the condition. We describe available units and send photos on request.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Inspect on delivery. Check the doors, roof and floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is a used 20ft high cube container inside?
About 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in), compared with about 2.39 m in a standard 20ft.
Why are 20ft high cubes harder to find?
Shipping lines build mostly 40ft high cubes and standard 20ft boxes, so fewer 20ft high cubes reach the used market. That is why availability varies by region and why it pays to reserve a unit once you find one that suits you. We can tell you what is in stock near you when you ask for a quote.
Is a used 20ft high cube container watertight?
Yes. All our standard used units are wind and watertight.
Can I ship goods in a used 20ft high cube container?
Only in a cargo worthy unit 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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