Last Updated: February 16, 2021
Shipping containers also defined as storage containers, freight containers, ISO containers, intermodal containers, portable or even high-cube containers, are industrial-grade steel containers that provide temporary storage space for both commercial and residential needs. These containers are mostly used because they are safe, durable, and affordable for businesses or any individual who needs temporary storage space.
They are commonly used in industries such as those that involve agriculture for keeping machines and farming tools, education for storage of documents and athletic equipment, residential for households, retails for seasonal inventory, constructions for temporary offices, tools, and supplies among others including the government for different purposes such as transportation. A shipping container can also be used as a storage container in commercial and residential settings. In simple words, shipping containers offer fantastic solutions for a variety of needs as they are secure, wind and watertight, long-lasting, relatively cheap and they also retain their value very well.
These containers come in many varieties and different sizes, new and old. In this case, the best containers for you depend on your needs as there many options where you choose from a wide range of sizes, colors, and features. Just to keep in mind that the more modification you make, the higher the purchasing prices. For length, the most common container lengths are 20 foot by 40-foot containers. However, one can also find a container with custom lengths of 10, 15, 25, to 45 feet, and the length option varies depending on the suppliers. When it comes to width and height, a standard container usually has the same dimension of 8 feet 6 inches high by 8 feet wide.
There are many companies that specialize in these containers, and it is upon the buyer to choose where to buy and the best depending on the quality, purpose, and prices. Just to name a few, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the professional manufacturers and suppliers of dry cargo containers of high quality and they come at reasonable prices. The dry containers are mainly for shipping groceries and are usually used for shipping stationaries, medicine, chemical products, daily necessities, handicrafts, electrical machinery, and textile instruments among other machine parts. Most of the containers, about 80% of them, are dry cargo containers and therefore it is one of the best. SCF containers are also among the best as they have a wide range of competitively priced containers that come in a wide range of sizes.
This a question for many container buyers who are looking for the best, quality, and pocket-friendly containers. To clarify this, the cost of a standard container varies depending on the type, features, grade, availability of stock, current exchange rate, and the buyer’s location. For instance, for a 20ft general purpose storage container the pricing can range anywhere between $1500 and $4000 inclusive of GST. For the most containers available in the market, the purchasing price excludes delivery and lift fees. For this reason, it is difficult to provide accurate pricing without first understanding the buyer’s needs. Just to keep in mind that if the container you want has more modifications or enhancements such as a portable building, refrigerated unit, the pricing varies even more.
From the wide variety of containers in the market, there are of various sizes. However, there are three most common container sizes available for you to buy. The sizes include; 10ft containers, 20ft, and a 40ft container. There are also smaller sizes from 8ft up to 48ft all which depends on your needs and specifications. For people with a small amount of goods to store, the 10ft container could be the best option and for those with large storage needs, the 40ft container is the best option as it usually comes with a 40ft high cube version.
Looking at the aspect of how to purchase a container, buying a container is relatively easy. Once you decide on a unit, you are required to pay the full purchasing price which will include the cost for transportation and the deposit fee that may be included in the process. In this case, as the buyer, you can pay through a direct bank transaction and once it is cleared, your container is released from the depot. You can even pay via credit card and once the transaction is finalized, your container is available and ready to be picked from the depot.
In conclusion, buying a shipping container can sometimes be challenging. Whether you are buying one to make a home, a guesthouse, a garage, storage, transportation among many other purposes, there are various factors to consider before purchasing. Some of these factors can include your location. Overall, buying a container depends on the dynamics involved. Other things to consider include your budget, material used, and whether it is negotiable among several others.
