How much is a 40ft shipping container? A used 40 ft unit typically costs about $2,500 to $5,500, and a new or one-trip 40 ft container typically runs $5,000 to $9,000, before delivery. Those figures shift with condition, height and your location, so treat them as a guide rather than a quote. Queen Container sells 40 ft containers nationwide and prices each order based on the unit and delivery spot.
How Much Is a 40ft Shipping Container: Standard or High Cube?
The first choice that affects price is height. A standard 40 ft box is 8.5 ft tall and holds about 2,390 cubic feet. A 40 ft high cube is 9.5 ft tall and holds about 2,700 cubic feet. The high cube usually costs somewhat more, but the extra foot helps with tall equipment, shelving or insulation and wall finishes in a conversion.
Most 40 ft containers on the market today are high cubes, so you may find more choice there. Our 40 ft high cube shipping container is a good starting point.
Door and Layout Options
Standard 40 ft units have doors on one end. If you need access from both ends, consider a 40 ft double door container, which makes loading and cross-ventilation easier. Double doors add a little to the cost, but they can be worth it for workshops, storage and pop-up shops.
Price by Condition
- Used, as-is: lowest price, with dents, rust and worn floors possible.
- Used, wind-and-watertight: sealed and suitable for storage, usually in the middle of the range.
- One-trip: a single ocean voyage, so it often looks almost new.
- New: highest price, with clean paint and no wear.
Ask for photos of the actual unit, including the roof, the floor and the door seals. Confirm the grade in writing before you pay.
Delivery Can Change the Total
A 40 ft container weighs about 8,000 lb empty and measures 40 ft long, so it needs a flatbed or tilt-bed truck and plenty of turning room. Delivery commonly runs $2 to $6 per loaded mile, which often means $150 to $500 locally and $1,000 or more for long distances. You can check coverage on our container delivery areas page.
Before delivery day, measure the route. A 40 ft container needs a wide, straight approach and a flat, firm spot. Low branches, power lines, tight gates and soft ground cause the most common problems.
Is 40 ft the Right Size?
A 40 ft container gives you about twice the floor space of a 20 ft container, and the cost per square foot is usually lower. The tradeoff is placement: it needs more room and a bigger truck. If your property is small, two 20 ft containers may be easier to position than one 40 ft unit. If you plan to build a home, a 40 ft container is a common starting point because it can hold a one-bedroom layout.
Think about what you will store or build, how often you will open the doors, and whether you want power or lighting. Those answers help you pick between standard, high cube and double door.
Next Steps
To find out how much is a 40ft shipping container for your exact situation, send us the grade you want, your delivery ZIP code and any must-have features through the contact page. You can also compare more options in our shipping containers category or browse all shipping containers for sale.
