Choosing the best second hand storage containers requires more than comparing prices and photographs. A used container may look sound outside, yet hide floor damage, roof leaks, or stiff door seals. Practical inspection matters. Walk around the unit in daylight. Check the corner posts, locking bars, welds, and ventilation points. Step inside and notice musty smells, damp patches, or uneven flooring. Small clues often reveal larger maintenance issues.
Reliable guidance should combine hands-on experience with recognized container practices. Sellers should provide clear dimensions, age details, repair records, and recent inspection images. Buyers should also confirm delivery access, ground preparation, and local placement requirements before paying. A cheaper unit can become expensive after transport, repairs, or drainage work. It happens.
The right choice depends on your storage purpose, available space, climate, and budget. A weather-resistant unit may suit tools, furniture, or business stock, while delicate items may need added insulation and moisture control. Standard cargo containers are not automatically perfect storage rooms. Their condition varies greatly. Even experienced buyers can overlook hidden corrosion beneath paint or repairs that were poorly finished.
This guide compares the most useful types of second hand storage containers. It considers condition, security, ventilation, maintenance history, and long-term value. The goal is not to promote the lowest price. It is to help you choose a dependable container with realistic expectations and fewer costly surprises. Each recommendation should be checked against the seller’s evidence and your site’s specific needs.
What Are the Best Second Hand Storage Containers?
Used containers should be classified by ISO 668, not by appearance alone. A standard 20-foot container measures about 6,058 millimetres long and 2,438 millimetres wide externally. It offers roughly 33 cubic metres of internal space. A 40-foot container doubles the nominal length, reaching about 12,192 millimetres. It normally provides close to 67 cubic metres.
High-cube versions are taller. ISO 668 sets their external height at about 2,896 millimetres, compared with 2,591 millimetres for standard units. That extra 305 millimetres matters when storing furniture, insulation panels, or tall shelving. In practical inspections, measure the door opening too. Internal dimensions can shrink after repairs.
UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2024 reported global maritime trade growth of 2.4% in 2023. This continued movement supports a large supply of used equipment, but age and condition vary widely. A sound 20-footer suits compact storage and easier site access. A 40-footer offers better capacity per placement. High-cubes are valuable for volume, though delivery height can become a problem.
Check the CSC plate, floor condition, roof patches, door seals, and corner posts. Look closely. ISO classification does not guarantee watertightness or structural quality. Some older units appear acceptable outside but conceal damp timber floors or distorted doors. I would also remeasure before ordering; nominal sizes are dependable, yet real usable space is not always identical.
| ISO 668 Container Type | Common Description | External Dimensions (L × W × H) |
Approx. Internal Dimensions (L × W × H) |
Approx. Internal Volume | Typical Door Opening (W × H) |
Typical Tare Weight* | Typical Used-Container Application | Recommended Inspection Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1CC / 20-foot General Purpose | 20-foot standard-height dry container | 6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm 20 × 8 × 8 ft 6 in |
5,898 × 2,350 × 2,390 mm 19 ft 4 in × 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in |
Approximately 33.2 m³ 1,172 ft³ |
Approximately 2,340 × 2,280 mm | Approximately 2,200–2,400 kg | Compact storage, tools, workshop equipment, machinery, household goods, and site storage where access space is limited. | Check floor condition, corner posts, door alignment, locking bars, roof leaks, and corrosion around the lower rails. |
| 1C / 40-foot General Purpose | 40-foot standard-height dry container | 12,192 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm 40 × 8 × 8 ft 6 in |
12,032 × 2,350 × 2,390 mm 39 ft 5 in × 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in |
Approximately 67.7 m³ 2,390 ft³ |
Approximately 2,340 × 2,280 mm | Approximately 3,700–4,000 kg | Large-volume storage, furniture, inventory, construction materials, agricultural supplies, and warehouse overflow. | Inspect the full length of the roof and floor, verify that the container sits level, and check for frame twisting or excessive side-panel dents. |
| 1C / 40-foot High Cube | 40-foot high-cube dry container | 12,192 × 2,438 × 2,896 mm 40 × 8 × 9 ft 6 in |
12,032 × 2,350 × 2,695 mm 39 ft 5 in × 7 ft 8 in × 8 ft 10 in |
Approximately 76.3 m³ 2,696 ft³ |
Approximately 2,340 × 2,585 mm | Approximately 3,900–4,300 kg | Maximum-volume storage, tall equipment, palletized goods, retail stock, workshops, and projects requiring additional internal height. | Confirm available headroom, inspect the taller corner posts and roof, measure the installation site, and allow for delivery and lifting clearance. |
