By condition

Used Shipping Containers

Containers that have completed years of shipping service. Structurally sound and wind and watertight, with the cosmetic marks you would expect at a lower price.

What this condition means

A used container has done the job it was built for. It has been loaded, lifted, stacked, shipped and unloaded, often for a decade or more, and it shows. Expect dents in the side panels, surface rust on the paint, mismatched touch-ups and a floor that has seen forklift traffic. What you should not expect is a compromised structure, a leaking roof or doors that will not seal.

That is the trade. You accept the cosmetics and you pay considerably less. For site storage, agricultural use, and any application where the container is a tool rather than a display piece, used units are usually the sensible purchase. The condition of each unit is described on its product page, and every order is inspected against our preparation checklist before it is released.

From the catalog

Available units

Live products in this condition class.

Open the full catalog

Applications

Where this condition class fits

Job-site and compound storage

A working store where knocks and scrapes are inevitable anyway.

Agricultural storage

Feed, machinery and supplies where function matters more than finish.

Yard and depot storage

Cost-effective additional capacity alongside existing buildings.

General storage

Household and business storage on a budget, out of public view.

Buying considerations

What to check

  • Read the condition description on the product page rather than assuming a grade from the price.
  • Wind and watertight is the important test. Surface rust is cosmetic; perforation and standing water are not.
  • Check the floor description if you will be using a forklift or pallet truck inside.
  • Used units can be repainted later, but that is a job and a cost. If appearance matters now, look at refurbished stock.
  • Some used units are CSC plated for export and some are sold for storage use only. The product page states which.

Questions

Frequently asked

How old is a used container?

Typically ten to fifteen years in service, though it varies by unit. Age alone is less important than structural condition and how the container was treated.

Will a used container leak?

Units described as wind and watertight should not. That condition is checked as part of our preparation routine before dispatch, and it is the single most important thing to confirm on any used container.

Can I repaint a used container?

Yes, and many owners do. Wire brush or grind back the surface rust, prime the bare steel and apply a marine-grade or direct-to-metal finish. The maintenance center covers the process.

Are used containers secure?

The steel and the locking gear are the same as on a newer unit. Check that the locking bars, cams and keepers align properly and that a lockbox is fitted or can be added.

Next step

Still deciding on condition?

The buyer guide explains new, one trip, used and refurbished in detail, including what to inspect and what each grade costs to own over time.

Read the Buyer GuideBrowse All Products