A used 40ft open side container gives you the biggest side access box on the market at a used-container price. It is a 9 ft 6 in high cube with bi-fold doors running nearly the full length of one side, plus double cargo doors at the end. The container has worked in service before being sold, so it shows its age on the outside, but every used 40ft open side container from Prime Cargo Box is wind and watertight, with each section of side door checked to open, close and lock.
Used side opening forties are scarce, and condition varies more than on standard containers. This page explains what to look for, the specification and how to keep the side doors working for years.
Why Buy a Used 40ft Open Side Container?
A new or one trip side opening 40ft is one of the most expensive containers you can buy, because of the extra doors, hinges and reinforced frame. A used 40ft open side container gives the same full-length access for far less, which makes sense for timber yards, builders’ merchants, farms, hire firms and anyone who needs to reach stock along the whole length without paying top price.
It is also a good choice when the container will be painted, clad or converted into a workshop or stall, because the outside will change anyway.
Used 40ft Open Side Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 40ft high cube open side (full side access) container |
| Condition | Used, wind and watertight, side doors checked |
| 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 6 in (2.29 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 8 ft 1 in (2.47 m) |
| Side door opening | Approx. 37 ft 11 in wide x 7 ft 7 in high (11.56 x 2.31 m) |
| End door opening | Approx. 7 ft 3 in wide x 7 ft 10 in high (2.23 x 2.39 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 2,400 cu ft (68 m³), calculated from internal dimensions |
| Tare weight | Approx. 13,000 to 14,550 lbs (5,900 to 6,600 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Shown on the unit’s data plate, typically 30,480 to 32,500 kg |
| Construction | Corten steel with heavy side rails and reinforced posts |
| Floor | Marine plywood, forklift rated, sound with signs of use |
| Door configuration | Full-length bi-fold side doors plus double end doors |
Side opening containers vary between manufacturers and years, so we confirm the dimensions and weights of the exact unit on your quote.
What Condition to Expect
Outside, expect dents, faded paint, old logos and surface rust. The shell is Corten, a weathering steel designed to form a protective oxide layer, so surface rust on an older box is normal. The floor will be stained and marked from years of loading.
The part that matters most is the side. A used 40ft open side container has many hinges, cams, locking bars and metres of gasket, and those wear with use. Before sale, we check every door pair: it must swing open fully, close square, lock with all bars seated and seal without daylight showing. Units that don’t pass are not sold.
Grades of Used 40ft Open Side Container
Our standard used stock is wind and watertight, which is right for storage and site use. If you need to ship cargo in it, ask for a cargo worthy unit with a valid plate under the International Convention for Safe Containers. Supply is limited, so tell us early.
Who Buys a Used 40ft Open Side Container?
- Timber, steel and pipe merchants storing long materials
- Builders and civil contractors loading by forklift on site
- Equipment and event hire companies
- Farms storing machinery, bales and feed
- Workshops, garages and container bars wanting a fully open front
Inspecting a Used 40ft Open Side Container Yourself
If you inspect a used 40ft open side container in person, start with the side. Open each pair of doors fully and close it again, checking that it doesn’t drag on the bottom rail and meets its neighbour evenly. Turn every locking bar and make sure the cams drop into their keepers. With all doors shut, step inside and look along the gaskets for daylight. Then check the corner posts, bottom rails, roof and the floor just inside the openings.
Dents in door panels are cosmetic. Cracked hinges, bent locking bars or doors that need forcing are not acceptable.
Layout and Loading
The way to get the most from a used 40ft open side container is to treat the side as the main entrance. Run racking or shelving along the solid back wall, facing the doors, and keep a clear strip of floor in front for a pallet truck. Long materials like timber and pipe can sit on cantilever racks along the back wall and be picked straight out with a forklift. Put the stock you use most behind the door pair you open most often, and keep bulk or seasonal items behind the others.
Keep heavy loads near the floor and spread along the length rather than piled at one end. Because the tare is higher than a standard container, check the plate rating if you ever plan to load it fully and move it.
Site Requirements
You need a long, straight approach for the truck, a level base about 12.5 m by 2.5 m and at least 4 to 5 m of clear, firm ground along the opening side for the doors and a forklift. Level is critical: over 12 m, small dips twist the frame, and an older container with worn hinges is less tolerant than a new one. A concrete pad or compacted, level gravel with supports under each corner and at mid-length works best. Our shipping and delivery policy explains delivery planning.
Keeping the Side Doors Working
Grease the hinges and locking cams every few months, or monthly with daily use. Keep the bottom rail clear of gravel and debris. Clean the gaskets and replace any torn sections. If a door starts to bind, re-check the level of the base before anything else, since ground settling is the usual cause.
What Affects the Price?
Very few side opening forties come onto the used market, so price depends heavily on local supply. Age, the condition of the side door hardware, rust repairs, the floor and cargo worthiness all affect the price of a used 40ft open side container. Delivery is quoted separately.
Upgrades Worth Considering
Owners of a used 40ft open side container often add lockboxes over the padlock lugs on each door pair, LED lighting along the ceiling, vents to reduce condensation and a fresh coat of paint. For bars and stalls, roller shutters or fold-down counters on one or two door sections are popular. These are straightforward jobs for our team before delivery.
Compare Options
For near-new hardware, see the one trip 40ft open side container. For a smaller footprint, the used 20ft open side container is easier to place. If end access is enough, the used 40ft double door container costs much less.
See all side access units in the open side containers category, and other second-hand stock on our used shipping containers for sale page. Our modification team can add counters, racking, lighting and lockboxes.
How to Buy a Used 40ft Open Side Container
- Request a quote. Quantity, address, door side and intended use.
- See the condition. We send photos with the side doors open and closed.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Inspect on delivery. Open every door section and check each one locks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used 40ft open side container watertight?
Yes. Our standard used units are wind and watertight, including the side doors, as long as the container sits level.
Is it a high cube?
Yes, 9 ft 6 in tall outside with about 2.47 m inside. The reinforced top rail needed for the side doors takes a little height compared with a standard high cube, but there is still more headroom than in a standard 8 ft 6 in container, so tall racking fits.
Can I open part of the side only?
Yes. The doors open in pairs, each with its own locks, so you can open one section for a quick pick and keep the rest closed and secure.
Can I ship goods in a used 40ft open side container?
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 for a delivered price. Include your address or nearest port and a note on site access, and we will quote the container and transport together.
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