Most Common Shipping Container Buyer Questions 2025

Conex Depot staff are ready to answer all shipping container buyer questions. For your convenience, our support staff have complied a list of the most common questions that we have received from shipping container buyers in 2024:

How long until my shipping container is delivered?
Do you offer COD or payment terms?
Can I buy a shipping container on a credit card?
Are 20FT High Cube shipping containers available?
Are Open Side shipping containers available?
Do you have the interior dimensions of shipping containers?
What is the weight of a shipping container?
What are shipping container floors made of?
Are color choices available for used shipping containers?
Are color choices available for new shipping containers?
What does New “One Trip” shipping container mean?
Are discounts available on my shipping container purchase?
How to transfer ownership of a shipping container?

Do you have a question about buying a used or new shipping container? Please don’t hesitate to send us a message with your question! support [at] conexdepot.com

How long until my shipping container is delivered?

Conex Depot’s normal delivery time is normally 3-7 business days for shipping containers that are already on the ground and available in the depot. If you need your container in a shorter amount of time, Conex Depot will do our best to accommodate your schedule, but we recommend buying your shipping container sooner than later to ensure the delivery truck schedule. Delivery timelines for reserved inbound stock can vary according to shipment delays.

Do you offer COD or payment terms? 

COD: Unfortunately Conex depot cannot accept cash on delivery / COD. Shipping container purchases must be paid for in full, prior to delivery. This is simply because of the high cost involved with logistics.

Payment Terms: Are available to approved medium and large businesses and government. Contact your Conex Depot sales person for details.

Can I buy a shipping container on a credit card? 

Conex Depot accepts payment for your shipping container in both personal and business checks, wire and ACH payments, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. Many customers take advantage of Conex Depot’s 2.9% discount off your entire order by simply paying using one of our cash like payment options such as e-check, wire or ACH.

Please be aware that a payment verification may be required if you are having the container delivered to an address that does not match your credit card billing address.

Are 20FT High Cube shipping containers available? 

The 20FT High Cube is in high demand. We do have units available at selected Conex Depot’s locations. As stock changed daily please contact us for availability. Coastal depots tend to have a larger variety of container models available, while smaller inland locations will tend to have more of the standard sizes. Best is to call Conex Depot to see if we have a 20FT High Cube container for sale near you. (661) 412-2227.

A 20ft High Cube Container is one foot taller than a standard 20ft shipping container, measuring nine feet six inches tall. The extra height allows for your cargo/goods to be loaded higher.

For comparison
Specifications 20ft High Cube Container

External measurement – Height: 2891 mm / 113.8 inches
Internal measurements – Height: 2690 mm / 106 inches

Specifications 20ft Standard Container

External measurement – Height: 2590 mm / 102 inches
Internal measurements – Height: 2380 mm / 93.8 inches

Are Open Side Shipping Containers available? 

Open side containers are also available for purchase in both 20ft and 40ft varieties, but again they’re in high demand, so they’re only at selected locations. Open side containers are extremely versatile with many of our customers using them as mobile workshops and display units. Open side shipping containers are only available for purchase as new one trip grade units.

Check out our Blog article on Best Shipping Container Refurbishing Ideas

Best Shipping Container Refurbishing Ideas

 

Are Double Door shipping containers available? 

The standard 20 foot shipping container comes equipped with a set of double doors at one end. This is not to be confused with a ‘double door shipping container’ which has a set of double doors on both ends, allowing it to open like a tunnel. These units are available as new one trip only.

The standard cargo doors are great and serve most owner’s needs, but customizing the doors on a shipping container is very common. Popular shipping container door customizations include a walk through access door, Roll Up doors on the side of the container wall, Sliding steel doors, or steel access doors. It’s important to remember that when modifying a Conex container if you cut the corrugated steel side walls the container loses it’s structural integrity, so can no longer be certified for transport by container ship.

Do you have the interior dimensions of the containers? 

Yes! Please see the table below for the specifications for our shipping containers

20FT Standard Wind and Water Tight (WWT) Shipping Container
Dimensions: 20FT Long x 8FT Wide x 8FT 6IN Tall
Tare Weight: 4,920 lbs (2,230 Kg)
Maximum Payload: 62,280 lbs (28,250 Kg)
Volume (Storage Space): 1,172 cu ft (33.2 M3)

40FT Standard Wind and Water Tight (WWT) Shipping Container
Dimensions: 40FT Long x 8FT Wide x 8FT 6IN Tall
Tare Weight: 8,270 lbs (3,750 Kg)
Maximum Payload: 58,930 lbs (26,730 Kg)
Volume (Storage Space): 2,386 cu ft (67.6 M3)

 

What is the weight of a shipping container? 

There are three common weights used with shipping containers: You may see these numbers are painted onto the outside of the doors of standard cargo containers.

Tare Weight measures the weight of the container without cargo or contents.
Gross Weight measures the weight of the container plus the maximum payload the cargo container can hold – the maximum total weight of the steel box
Payload (or Net Weight) is the weight of the contents that a container may safely hold

Typical Weights of Standard Shipping Containers

Length 20ft

Max Gross Weight 30,400kg / 67,200lbs
Tare Weight     2,170kg / 4,780lbs
Payload (or Net Weight) 28,310kg / 62,420lbs

Length 40ft

Max Gross Weight 30,400kg / 67,200lbs
Tare Weight 3,750kg / 8,270lbs
Payload (or Net Weight) 26,730kg / 58,930lbs

 

For more complete specifications, see Shipping Container Sizes & Availability

 

What are shipping container floors made of? 

While the walls and roof of a container are made of corrugated Corten steel, the floor is constructed using a different material to provide a stable and safe replaceable surface for transporting goods.

Most shipping container floors are made of marine-grade plywood, which is a high-quality, durable material that can withstand the wear and tear of heavy loads and rough handling. The plywood used in container floors is typically made from tropical hardwoods like Keruing or Apitong, which are known for their strength, durability, and resistance to moisture and insect damage.

The vast majority of shipping containers come with marine plywood flooring. This is approximately 28mm thick. Underneath the floor is a waterproofing layer ( bitumen based paint) with heavy duty steel cross-members that help support the weight cargo when the shipping container needs to be lifted.

The plywood is laid over steel cross members that are spaced about every 16 inches, forming a grid-like structure that provides support and stability to the container. The plywood sheets are then secured to the cross members using screws or nails, creating a smooth and level surface for loading and unloading cargo.

In recent years, some container manufacturers have started using alternative materials for container floors, such as bamboo or composite materials. These materials offer some benefits over traditional plywood, such as increased sustainability and resistance to moisture and decay, but they are not yet widely adopted and may come with additional costs.

Are color choices available for used containers? 

Used shipping containers are not sold with custom colors. The shipping industry uses a limited number of standard paint colors and a used shipping container for sale is likely to be in one of these colors because they’re sold on a ‘first off stack’ basis. Your used container is most likely going to be blue, gray, red or beige.

The cargo container industry uses the RAL color system as its paint color standard. Standard container colors are blue (RAL5010), white (RAL9003) and beige (RAL1015) with an interior color of light grey (RAL7035).

Why are containers painted different colors by the manufacturer?

Shipping containers need to comply with various industry safety regulations. The paint color of the Conex container serves to indicate its compliance type. Shipping containers used to store and transport hazardous materials are commonly painted in certain colors that indicate the type of material stored inside

Are color choices available for new containers? 

New One Trip Shipping Containers can come in almost any color you desire, but with the caveat that all colors are unlikely to be available at all depots. Its best that you contact one of Conex Depot’s helpful and knowledgeable service staff if you are looking for a specific color of shipping container.

The most common colors available for resale are green, blue, beige, gray, brown, oxide red and white.

Most customers who buy a used cargo containers for storage paint it themselves as part of their shipping container customization. For more information, checkout our Guide To Painting Your Shipping Container

 

What does “One Trip” mean? 

Containers that have one ocean voyage before being taken out of service, are called “one-trip” or new shipping containers.

These One Trip shipping containers have been loaded with cargo only one time and have made a single trip. This grade of container may be referred to as a “new” container.

A used shipping container, as the name implies, has been previously used for shipping or storage purposes. These containers come in a range of conditions, with some showing signs of wear and tear, while others may have been refurbished or repaired. Used shipping containers are often sold at a lower price than one-trip containers and are a cost-effective option for those on a tight budget.

On the other hand, a “one trip” shipping container is essentially a brand new container that has only been used once for a single shipment. These containers are typically in pristine condition and offer the highest level of quality and durability. One trip containers are also available in a range of sizes, from standard 20-foot and 40-foot options to larger or custom sizes.

The main difference between these two types of shipping containers is their condition. Used containers may have scratches, dents, or rust, whereas one trip containers are virtually new and have no signs of wear and tear. However, this difference in quality comes at a higher price point, with one trip containers costing more than used ones.

Have these shipping containers been used to transport and hazardous goods? 

The number of used shipping containers that have chemical contamination is very small. Customers want to know if their used shipping container floor might have harmful or ill smelling chemicals that have seeped in?

The worry is this may make it harmful to spend significant time in the enclosed space of the shipping container, or their storage goods could be contaminated.

Years of experience in the shipping container industry demonstrate that statistically, this extremely rare. Containers that have been used to transport hazardous chemicals are designated for that purpose and would not be resold to an unknowing public.

Conex Depot would never knowingly sell a contaminated shipping container to any customer. The containers are thoroughly inspected before being released for resale. It is important to know that the shipping industry DOES inspect containers for contamination before certifying them for cargo shipping. Local shipping inspectors place emphasis on ensuring that containers with possible contaminants or pollutants are flagged and treated through inspection and fumigation requirements when a problem has been identified. Therefore it’s unlikely that your used shipping container is contaminated with any toxic and harmful substances that you should be worried about.

Conex Depot does recommend that you conduct a thorough cleaning of your container if using it to store food items. Commonly used cleaning products like Pine Sol, or Lysol are appropriate for cleaning use on metal surfaces. You will have no problems using it to clean your shipping container. Some customers like to pressure wash the container to get a really thorough cleaning.

Are Shipping Container discounts available?

We offer a discount of 2.9% off your entire order if you pay using one of our cash like payment options such as echeck, wire or ACH.

Paper checks do not need to be mailed to us. Simply follow the instructions and send us your check photos for electronic deposit. Unfortunately we cannot accept cash on delivery and container purchases must be paid for in full, prior to delivery.

How to transfer ownership of a shipping container?

Shipping Containers are identified using BIC codes. These codes are a four letter combination, typically ending with the letter U, followed by seven numbers. BIC Codes are issued by the Bureau of International Containers. They are crucial for standardization and tracking in the shipping industry, but once sold to private owners or companies outside the shipping industry there is no need or requirement to transfer ownership on the Conex container.