There is no doubt that shipping containers represent one of the most popular ways to ship goods worldwide. They gained more and more popularity, despite being classed as a traditional method to ship stuff safely. Now, how much does a shipping container cost?
No matter what you want to transport or how far you need it, it pays off doing your homework and finding a good deal before signing a contract. Indeed, shipping containers have evolved a lot lately, mostly because maritime shipping is one of the best ways to transport things.
This can be considered good news, though. There are more than 6,000 ships transporting containers all over the world. They can carry around 25 million shipping containers, so there is plenty of choices, and prices are competitive.
How much does a shipping container cost?
It is hard to determine a precise cost because many factors may influence it, such as the size of the container. A classic 20-foot container may cost anywhere between $1,200 and $7,000. The range is very high, but it makes sense.
It is one thing to ship a container from the USA to Canada and another to ship a container from the USA to India. Apart from the location, the container condition is just as critical, not to mention the delivery fee, size, and industry conditions.
1. Considering the geographical location.
So, how much does a shipping container cost based on the location? According to ImportDoor, availability is an important consideration. If you live close to a massive industrial area, getting a shipping container should be cheaper than if you lived in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature.
The Importdoor SaaS dashboard allows users to search for any shipment that has ever entered the USA. There are more search criteria, including the bill of lading, importer, exporter, date, product, etc. Details about the shipment are also included.
After all, prices depend on supply and demand. Shipping to a port is easier than shipping to a landlocked country since there is no direct access to the sea, so transportation will cost much more.
The local cost in your area will also affect the price, as well as the distance to travel. Believe it or not, there are times when the actual transportation will cost more than the container itself. The idea is fairly simple to understand – the longer the distance the container has to go, the more it will cost.
2. How about the size?
How much does a shipping container cost based on the size, then? This consideration also makes common sense. The bigger the box is, the more it will cost. However, there are a few standard sizes you may want to consider – after all, more common sizes will cost less.
According to the data from ImportDoor, the 20 and 40-foot sizes are the most common. You need to figure out which size is more appropriate for your needs. While, in theory, the bigger size looks double, the truth is it is only about 25% bigger.
3. Assessing the container condition
At this point, you can find both new and used containers. With the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people and companies kept containers to store their goods, so the demand increased. As a direct consequence, it is more difficult to find used containers, but definitely not impossible.
So, how much does a shipping container cost based on its condition? Clearly, a new container costs more than a used one. To help you get an idea, a brand new 20-foot container will cost you around $5,000, with significant variations based on where you live.
On the same note, a used container may cost around $3,000. The state is quite essential when seeking prices. A used container can still be in perfect condition, and well looked after, but it may also be overlooked and bad.
The age should give you some hints, too – an old container has been used and repaired many times, so it will generally cost less. A thorough inspection to identify potential flaws is highly recommended if you get a used container.
4. Keep an eye on delivery fees.
Different suppliers will give you different fees – after all, it depends on where their containers are and how far they need to travel. The location will impact the delivery, which should be added to the actual price.
How much does a shipping container cost if you live by the sea? Unless you want it delivered to the port and leave it there, you will need to pay quite a bit. It will add to the fees if your location is difficult to reach.
It is imperative to get quotes before you sign a contract. More importantly, you should try to find someone with flat rates. There is much more hassle involved, such as transportation from the port to your location too – low road width, low bridges, and other issues may arise.
5. Think about the potential customization
More and more people and companies choose to customize and upgrade their containers. It is a common thing these days and will not come free. Any type of customization will change the actual price, especially if it is a functional request and not just a different color.
While not always a general rule, it looks like summer and spring are more common for customization requests. Besides, lots of companies and people order containers throughout these seasons. To benefit from lower rates, you may ask a supplier when to order to keep prices low.
Conclusion
In the end, how much does a shipping container cost? It is hard to tell because there are many considerations – size, customization, location, and delivery fees. You can find both new and used containers costing between $1,000 and $7,000, with the new ones costing more.
While the 20-foot container is more popular, there are other sizes you should consider, too. However, the more popular a size is, the cheaper it will be. But at the same time, your actual needs are more critical in the process.
