Category: Buying Guides

  • Shipping Container Financing: How It Works and What to Expect

    Not everyone wants to pay for a shipping container in one lump sum — especially for a 40ft High Cube conversion or a multi-unit order. Here’s how shipping container financing actually works, what it costs, and how to decide if it makes sense for your project.

    How Container Financing Works

    Financing on our site is offered through independent third-party financing partners, not directly by Container Depot Direct. In practice, that means: you apply through a financing partner, they run approval based on your credit and the order amount, and if approved, the partner pays us directly while you repay them over an agreed term. Full details are on our financing options page.

    What Affects Approval and Terms

    • Personal or business credit history
    • The total order amount, including delivery
    • Whether the container is for personal, business, or agricultural use
    • Down payment amount, if the financing partner requires one

    Because approval and rates come from the financing partner and not from us, we can’t guarantee a specific rate or term — but we can help you understand the total delivered cost upfront so you’re financing an accurate number. Start with our pricing guide to get a realistic range for your size and condition grade before you apply.

    Financing vs. Paying in Full

    Paying in full — by card through Stripe or by bank wire — avoids interest entirely and is the lowest total cost if you have the cash available. Financing makes sense when spreading the cost lets you order the right size the first time (a 40ft High Cube instead of settling for a 20ft, for example) or when preserving cash flow matters more than the interest cost, such as for a business buying multiple units.

    Before You Apply

    • Decide on your container size and condition grade — see our sizes guide and new vs. used guide
    • Get a delivered price with our quote calculator, including your ZIP code, so the financed amount reflects the real total
    • Confirm your site is delivery-ready — see our delivery guide for access requirements
    • Have your business or personal financial details ready for a faster approval decision

    Get Started

    Check current financing availability and terms on our financing page, or reach out through our quote form to talk through options for your specific order.

    Curious whether we deliver to your area? Check our state, city, and international delivery guides for pricing and timelines specific to your location.

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  • New vs. Used Shipping Containers: Which Should You Buy?

    One of the first decisions in buying a shipping container is new vs. used — and it’s less about age and more about condition grade. Here’s how to think through the trade-offs so you don’t overpay for wear you don’t need to avoid, or underpay for a unit that won’t hold up.

    The Four Condition Grades Explained

    • New / One-Trip — has made a single loaded ocean voyage. Minimal wear, closest to factory condition, highest price.
    • Cargo Worthy (CW) — used but passes a full structural and watertight inspection. Reliable for shipping or long-term outdoor storage.
    • Wind & Watertight (WWT) — weatherproof and dry inside, but has not passed a full cargo-certification inspection. Great value for static storage.
    • As-Is — sold without a condition guarantee, usually the least expensive, best suited to buyers planning heavy modification or willing to do repairs.

    When New (One-Trip) Makes Sense

    If you want a container that looks and performs like new — no rust, minimal dents, clean interior — a One-Trip unit is worth the premium. This is the right call for container home conversions, offices, or any use case where appearance and airtightness matter as much as function.

    When Used (Cargo Worthy or WWT) Makes Sense

    For straightforward storage, a job-site box, or a farm/ranch application, a Cargo Worthy or Wind & Watertight unit does the job at a meaningfully lower price. The key is matching the grade to how much weatherproofing and structural certainty you actually need — you’re usually paying extra for certification you may not use if the container is staying in one place.

    Questions to Ask Before You Buy Used

    • What is the container’s current condition grade, and can I see photos of the actual unit (not a stock photo)?
    • Are there any known issues with the floor, roof, or door seals?
    • Does the price include delivery, or is that quoted separately?
    • What is the return or damage-claim policy if the unit doesn’t match its listed grade at delivery?

    We answer the damage-claim question directly in our Refund & Returns Policy — every unit should be inspected at delivery before you sign for it.

    Our Recommendation

    If budget is the primary driver and the container is staying in one place, Wind & Watertight or Cargo Worthy units offer the best value. If you’re building something you’ll live in, work in daily, or want to look brand new, spend the extra for a One-Trip unit. Either way, buy from a seller who grades honestly and lets you inspect before final payment.

    Browse By Condition

    You can filter our current inventory by size and see individual condition notes on each listing in our shop. Have a specific budget in mind? Use the quote calculator to see what fits.

    Curious whether we deliver to your area? Check our state, city, and international delivery guides for pricing and timelines specific to your location.

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  • How Much Does a Shipping Container Cost in 2026? Pricing Guide

    If you’re researching shipping container prices, the honest answer is: it depends heavily on size, condition grade, and how far the unit needs to travel. This guide breaks down real 2026 pricing by size and condition so you know what to expect before you request a quote.

    Shipping Container Prices by Size

    Container pricing scales with steel and length. Here’s the typical starting-price range you’ll see across depot networks in 2026:

    • 20ft Standard Dry — typically $2,000–$4,500 depending on condition
    • 40ft Standard Dry — typically $2,800–$5,500
    • 40ft High Cube — typically $3,500–$7,000, thanks to an extra foot of interior height
    • Refrigerated (Reefer) — typically $4,000–$10,000+ depending on working condition and unit age
    • Open Side & Double Door — typically $500–$1,500 more than an equivalent standard dry unit, due to added steel framing

    You can see current, exact pricing for in-stock units on our shop page, or use the delivered price calculator to get a number that already includes freight to your ZIP code.

    Why Condition Grade Changes the Price More Than Anything Else

    Two containers of the same size can differ in price by thousands of dollars purely based on condition. Understanding the grading system is the single biggest factor in getting a fair price:

    • New / One-Trip — made a single loaded ocean voyage, minimal wear, highest price
    • Cargo Worthy (CW) — passes a full structural and watertight inspection, mid-range price
    • Wind & Watertight (WWT) — weatherproof but not cargo-certified, budget-friendly for static storage
    • As-Is — sold without a condition guarantee, lowest price, best for buyers planning heavy modification

    If you’re not sure which grade fits your use case, our New vs. Used Shipping Containers guide walks through how to choose.

    What Affects Your Delivered Price

    The listed unit price is only part of the total. Delivery cost depends on distance from the nearest depot, site accessibility, and whether you need liftgate or tilt-bed service for a difficult drop location. This is why we quote delivered pricing rather than a flat container price — it’s the number that actually matters when you’re budgeting.

    Financing Shipping Containers

    If you’d rather spread the cost out, third-party financing is available on select orders. See our financing options page for details on how that works.

    Get an Exact Price for Your Container

    Ready to see a real number instead of a range? Use our quote calculator to get delivered pricing based on your container size and ZIP code — no broker markup, no hidden fees.

    Curious whether we deliver to your area? Check our state, city, and international delivery guides for pricing and timelines specific to your location.

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