6ft · 8ft
Mini storage containers
Small, purpose-built steel boxes for places where even a 10ft won’t fit. Sizes vary by manufacturer.
- Length
- 6ft or 8ft
- Footprint
- About one parking space
Best for: garden tools, bikes, small site stores.
Home / Buyer’s guide
Buyer’s guide
Every type of shipping container you can buy
From a compact 10ft storage box to a 53ft high cube, a refrigerated reefer or a fully fitted site office. Compare 34 container types, their sizes and what each one is best for before you ask for a quote.
- 34 container typesStandard, specialty and converted units.
- 6ft to 53ftFrom mini storage boxes to domestic high cubes.
- 3 condition gradesNew, cargo-worthy and wind & watertight.
- Modified to orderDoors, windows, shelving, power and paint.
01 · Standard sizes
Standard dry containers
The everyday steel box: corrugated walls, a hardwood floor and cargo doors at one end. Standard units are 8’6″ tall, and high cubes add an extra foot of headroom.
10ft
10ft standard container
The smallest common size, either purpose-built or cut down from a 20ft. Fits on a driveway or in a tight yard.
- Exterior
- 10′ × 8′ × 8’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 560 cu ft
Best for: tools, archives, small business stock.
20ft · Most popular
20ft standard container
The all-rounder. Holds the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home and fits on most sites.
- Exterior
- 20′ × 8′ × 8’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 1,170 cu ft
Best for: home moves, renovations, job-site storage.
20ft HC
20ft high cube
A 20ft footprint with an extra foot of height, for tall items and taller shelving.
- Exterior
- 20′ × 8′ × 9’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 1,320 cu ft
Best for: tall equipment, racking, small conversions.
40ft
40ft standard container
Twice the floor space of a 20ft for not much more ground. The best value per square foot.
- Exterior
- 40′ × 8′ × 8’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 2,390 cu ft
Best for: inventory, farm machinery, long-term storage.
40ft HC
40ft high cube
The go-to box for workshops, offices and conversions, with almost 8’10” of interior headroom.
- Exterior
- 40′ × 8′ × 9’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 2,690 cu ft
Best for: workshops, conversions, bulky stock.
45ft HC
45ft high cube
Five more feet of length than a 40ft high cube. Needs a long, clear approach for delivery.
- Exterior
- 45′ × 8′ × 9’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 3,040 cu ft
Best for: high-volume storage on large sites.
53ft HC · Domestic
53ft high cube
A North American domestic container, 6 inches wider than ocean boxes. Moves by road and rail rather than by sea.
- Exterior
- 53′ × 8’6″ × 9’6″
- Capacity
- ≈ 3,900 cu ft
Best for: maximum storage on industrial and farm sites.
| Container | Exterior (L × W × H) | Interior (L × W × H) | Door opening (W × H) | Capacity | Tare weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft standard | 10′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 9’3″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 7’8″ × 7’6″ | ≈ 560 cu ft | ≈ 2,900 lb |
| 20ft standard | 20′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 19’4″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 7’8″ × 7’6″ | ≈ 1,170 cu ft | ≈ 4,900 lb |
| 20ft high cube | 20′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 19’4″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 7’8″ × 8’5″ | ≈ 1,320 cu ft | ≈ 5,100 lb |
| 40ft standard | 40′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 7’8″ × 7’6″ | ≈ 2,390 cu ft | ≈ 8,300 lb |
| 40ft high cube | 40′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 7’8″ × 8’5″ | ≈ 2,690 cu ft | ≈ 8,700 lb |
| 45ft high cube | 45′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 44’6″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 7’8″ × 8’5″ | ≈ 3,040 cu ft | ≈ 10,600 lb |
| 53ft high cube | 53′ × 8’6″ × 9’6″ | ≈ 52’6″ × 8’3″ × 9’1″ | ≈ 8’2″ × 9’1″ | ≈ 3,900 cu ft | ≈ 11,000 lb |
Typical figures. Exact dimensions and weights vary by manufacturer and year of build, so ask for the spec sheet of the unit you’re buying.
02 · Door & access options
Doors where you need them
The same steel box with different ways in. Choose a layout to suit how you’ll load it and how often you need to get things out.
20ft · 40ft · HC
Double-door (tunnel)
Cargo doors at both ends, so nothing gets buried at the back and you can load from either side.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC
Best for: workshops, busy stock rooms, drive-through storage.
20ft · 40ft
Open-side
Full-length side doors that fold back to open the whole side wall, plus the usual end doors.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC
Best for: wide or palletised goods, pop-up shops, equipment bays.
20ft · 40ft
Multi-door storage
Two or more sets of side doors, often with internal partitions so each section locks separately.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft
Best for: shared storage, separating stock, small storage yards.
Fitted to order
Roll-up door
A steel roller door cut into the end or side, so you don’t need swing room in front of the doors.
- Sizes
- Any
Best for: tight sites, garages and workshops.
20ft · 40ft
Open-top
No fixed roof. Removable roof bows, a tarpaulin cover and a swing-away door header let you load from above by crane.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft
Best for: tall machinery, scrap, logs and bulky items.
20ft · 40ft
Hard-top
A removable steel roof panel instead of a tarp. Loads from the top like an open-top, with better security and weather protection.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft
Best for: heavy, tall cargo that needs a solid lid.
03 · Specialty cargo
Built for awkward, heavy or bulk loads
Shipping lines use these units for cargo that won’t fit, or shouldn’t go, in a standard box. Most are sourced to order.
20ft · 40ft
Flat rack
A heavy-duty floor with end walls only, and no sides or roof. Collapsible versions fold flat when empty.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft
Best for: machinery, vehicles, boats, pipe and timber.
20ft · 40ft
Platform
Just the reinforced floor and corner castings. Several can be lined up to carry one very large item.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft
Best for: oversized and very heavy loads.
20ft
Half-height
About 4’3″ tall and often open-topped. A low profile for loads that are very heavy but take up little space.
- Height
- ≈ 4’3″
Best for: stone, ore, steel, sand and gravel.
20ft
Dry bulk
Loading hatches in the roof and a discharge hatch at the door end, so loose cargo can be poured in and tipped out.
- Sizes
- 20ft
Best for: grain, malt, plastic pellets and powders.
20ft
Ventilated
Passive vents along the top and bottom rails keep air moving to stop condensation and mould. Also called a coffee container.
- Sizes
- 20ft
Best for: coffee, cocoa beans, onions and other produce.
20ft frame
Tank (ISO tank)
A stainless steel tank held inside a 20ft frame, so it stacks and lifts like any other container.
- Capacity
- ≈ 5,500–6,900 US gal
Best for: liquids, chemicals, fuels and food-grade bulk.
20ft · 40ft · 45ft
Pallet-wide
Slightly wider inside, at about 8’0″, so two Euro pallets fit side by side with no wasted space.
- Inside width
- ≈ 8’0″
Best for: palletised freight and European logistics.
10ft · 20ft · 40ft
Hazmat storage
Fitted with a spill sump floor, vents and optional fire-rated lining for storing hazardous materials on site. Check local fire rules first.
- Sizes
- 10ft, 20ft, 40ft
Best for: chemicals, fuels, paints, gas cylinders and batteries.
04 · Temperature-controlled
Keep it cold, or just keep it stable
Insulated and refrigerated units protect goods from heat, cold and condensation. Working reefers need a suitable power supply on site.
20ft · 40ft HC
Refrigerated (reefer)
A fully insulated box with a built-in refrigeration unit that holds a set temperature, chilled or frozen.
- Range
- ≈ −22°F to +86°F
- Power
- Usually 3-phase
Best for: food, drinks, pharmaceuticals, flowers and events.
20ft · 40ft
Super-freezer reefer
A specialist low-temperature reefer that reaches around −76°F (−60°C) for products that must stay deep-frozen.
- Range
- Down to ≈ −76°F
Best for: premium seafood, medical and lab samples.
20ft · 40ft HC
Non-operating reefer
A reefer whose cooling unit no longer runs. You keep the thick insulation and clean, washable interior at a lower price.
- Power
- Not needed
Best for: dry storage that stays cooler, documents, conversions.
Any size
Insulated container
A standard container lined with insulation and wall panels to cut condensation and temperature swings.
- Sizes
- 10ft to 40ft HC
Best for: workshops, offices, electronics and sensitive stock.
05 · Converted & modified
Ready-to-use buildings and custom boxes
We start with a sound container and fit it out for the job. Tell us what it’s for and we’ll quote the build.
10ft · 20ft · 40ft
Site office
Insulated and lined, with a personnel door, windows, lighting, power and optional heating or air-conditioning.
- Sizes
- 10ft, 20ft, 40ft
Best for: job sites, yards, sales and security offices.
20ft · 40ft HC
Workshop
Benches, shelving, lighting, power sockets and ventilation, with roll-up or double doors for easy access.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft HC
Best for: maintenance, fabrication, farm and fleet workshops.
Any size
Shelved storage
Fitted with shelving or pallet racking so stock stays organised and easy to count.
- Sizes
- 10ft to 40ft HC
Best for: retail stock, spare parts and archives.
10ft · 20ft · 40ft
Pop-up shop & kiosk
Serving hatches, counters, lighting and painted branding for selling straight from the box.
- Sizes
- 10ft, 20ft, 40ft
Best for: cafés, bars, markets and ticket offices.
20ft · 40ft HC
Cabin & home shell
Insulated, with doors and windows cut in and framed, ready for a builder to finish. Check planning and building rules first.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft HC
Best for: tiny homes, studios and guest rooms.
10ft · 20ft
Welfare & restroom unit
Toilets, washbasins, showers or a heated break area for crews working on site.
- Sizes
- 10ft, 20ft
Best for: construction, events and remote sites.
Any length
Custom-length (cut-down)
A 20ft or 40ft cut to a non-standard length such as 12ft, 15ft or 30ft, then closed with a new end wall.
- Common
- 12ft, 15ft, 30ft
Best for: odd-shaped sites and exact footprints.
2+ units
Joined (multi-unit)
Two or more containers joined side by side or stacked, with walls cut out to make one larger room.
- Sizes
- 20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC
Best for: larger offices, classrooms and showrooms.
Modifications we can add to any container
- Roll-up doors
- Personnel doors
- Windows
- Vents
- Shelving & racking
- Insulation & lining
- Lighting & power
- Heating & air-conditioning
- Partition walls
- Ramps
- Custom paint
- Lock boxes
Quick chooser
Which container do I need?
Start with what you’re storing or shipping. Here’s where most buyers end up.
- Budget storage on a farm or yard
- 20ft or 40ft, wind & watertight
- Moving house or renovating
- 20ft standard
- Tall items, racking or a conversion
- High cube
- A tight driveway or small yard
- 10ft or mini container
- Easy access from both ends
- Double-door
- Wide items or a shop front
- Open-side
- Loading by crane from above
- Open-top or hard-top
- Machinery, vehicles or boats
- Flat rack or platform
- Food, drinks or medicine
- Refrigerated reefer
- Insulated storage on a budget
- Non-operating reefer
- An office or welfare unit on site
- Converted container
- Exporting your own goods
- Cargo-worthy with a valid CSC plate
Condition grades
New, cargo-worthy or wind & watertight
The grade tells you how a container has been used and what shape it’s in. It matters as much as the size.
Grade A
New (one-trip)
Shipped once from the factory with a single load. Straight panels, clean floors, fresh paint and doors that swing easily.
Best for: offices, conversions and anything on show.
Grade B
Cargo-worthy
Structurally sound and fit for shipping, usually with a valid CSC plate. Expect dents, scuffs and some surface rust.
Best for: exporting goods or heavy-duty storage.
Grade C
Wind & watertight
Retired from shipping but still sealed against wind and rain. Cosmetic wear throughout, and not certified for shipping.
Best for: budget storage on farms, yards and job sites.
Before you buy
What to check on any container
Whoever you buy from, these are the things worth checking before you pay.
- Doors and sealsDoors should open, close and lock without force, with the rubber gaskets intact.
- No daylight insideStep in and close the doors. Pinpricks of light mean holes in the roof or walls.
- Floor and cross-membersThe floor should be solid and dry, with no soft spots or lifting layers.
- Roof conditionDents that hold water lead to rust, so look for pooling and rust patches.
- ID number and CSC plateThe container number should match your paperwork. You need a valid CSC plate to ship goods.
- Photos of the actual unitAsk for current photos of the exact container you’re buying.
Delivery
Delivered and set down where you want it
Tilt-bed trucks slide the container straight onto the ground, so no crane is needed on most sites.
Before delivery day
- Firm, level ground where the container will sit
- Clear, straight access for a long truck to reverse in
- No low wires or branches over the drop zone
- Doors facing the way you want? Tell us when you order
Questions
Buying questions
How long does a shipping container last?
Kept on firm, level ground and looked after, a steel container used for storage can last for decades. Touch up scratches and rust spots, and keep the roof clear of standing water.
Do I need a permit for a container?
It depends on where you are and how long it stays. Many areas allow temporary storage without a permit, but permanent placement, offices and homes often need approval. Check with your local council or planning office before delivery.
Can I ship goods in a container I buy?
Yes, if it’s cargo-worthy and has a valid CSC safety approval plate. Wind & watertight units are for storage only and shouldn’t be used for shipping.
What’s the difference between standard and high cube?
A high cube is 9’6″ tall instead of 8’6″, which gives you about a foot more headroom inside. The footprint is the same.
Can you modify a container before delivery?
Yes. We can add doors, windows, vents, shelving, insulation, lighting and power, or paint it in your colours, and deliver it ready to use.
Are all of these types in stock?
Standard sizes usually are. Specialty, refrigerated and converted units are often sourced or built to order, so ask us about availability and lead times in your area.
Know what you need?
Tell us the type, the size and where it’s going, and we’ll come back with a quote.