Used Shipping & Storage
Containers for Sale.
Three sizes of used shipping container (also called a conex box, sea container, sea can, cargo container, freight container, or metal storage container), all Wind & Water Tight (used): structurally sound, weather-tight steel. Delivered within 250 miles of Cincinnati, to your driveway, job site, or farm.
20-Foot Shipping Container
Fits a standard driveway. Stores a full garage.
40-Foot Shipping Container
Maximum storage. The industry standard for serious projects.
40-Foot High Cube Container
A full foot of extra headroom. The 40ft, taller.
These are average starting prices, not quotes. What you pay can land above or below; it depends mostly on how far we deliver and current market supply. We'll give you a real, all-in number when you request a quote. (Average as of September 2026.)
Supply runs deep right now, so the 40ft High Cube average can land below the standard 40ft.
Not sure buying is the right shape yet? The rent vs buy calculator works out how that compares to renting over the number of months you actually need it.
Prices vary by metro, and we publish a dated delivered figure for each one we serve: see the delivered price in your city.
Compare All Sizes
| 20ft | 40ft | 40ft High Cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| External | 20' L × 8' W × 8'6" H | 40' L × 8' W × 8'6" H | 40' L × 8' W × 9'6" H |
| Internal | 19'4" L × 7'8" W × 7'10" H | 39'5" L × 7'8" W × 7'10" H | 39'5" L × 7'8" W × 8'10" H |
| Door Opening | 7'8" W × 7'5" H | 7'8" W × 7'5" H | 7'8" W × 8'5" H |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft | 2,390 cu ft | 2,694 cu ft |
| Payload | 47,900 lbs | 59,039 lbs | 59,039 lbs |
| Best For | Half the length of a 40ft, so it fits tighter spaces and costs less to deliver. Wind & Water Tight (used): structurally sound and storage-ready, with honest cosmetic wear from prior service. | Twice the storage of a 20ft, but it needs more clearance for delivery and placement. Wind & Water Tight (used): structurally sound and storage-ready, with honest cosmetic wear from prior service. | Same footprint as the standard 40ft, but a foot taller, with the most headroom and cubic capacity we offer. Wind & Water Tight (used): structurally sound and storage-ready, with honest cosmetic wear from prior service. |
Not Sure Which Size?
Standard driveway, suburban lot, or job site with limited clearance
Farm, commercial property, or wide-open land where size isn't a constraint
You're turning the container into something: office, studio, or living space
No broker
markup
You deal directly with us. No middleman adding margin between you and the container yard.
All-in pricing, alwaysRegional
depots
Containers pull from yards near your city. Shorter haul means lower freight and faster scheduling.
Miles of coverageReal
follow-through
Most quote requests answered within 4 business hours. We pick up the phone.
Response guaranteeCommon Questions
What size shipping container do I need?
A 20ft container fits most residential lots and single-car driveways, storing roughly the equivalent of a full garage. A 40ft container doubles that capacity and is the standard for farm, commercial, and conversion projects. The 40ft High Cube adds a full foot of extra headroom for tall or stacked loads. Every unit is Wind & Water Tight (used): structurally sound, weather-tight steel.
What condition are your containers?
Every container we sell is Wind & Water Tight (used): structurally sound and sealed against rain, wind, snow, and pests. Expect honest cosmetic wear (surface rust, the odd dent) over weathering (Cor-Ten) steel built to last decades. Sold as-is for storage and on-site use.
Do you deliver to my area?
We deliver within 250 miles of Cincinnati, covering Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, western West Virginia, and surrounding areas, including the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, and Huntington metros and their surrounding counties.
How long does delivery take?
Most quote requests are answered within 4 business hours. Almost all deliveries take about two weeks (depot inventory is stacked and sequenced and drivers book out several weeks ahead), so exact timing depends on inventory and your location. We'll give you an honest window before you commit.
Can I modify or convert a shipping container?
Yes. Containers can be cut, insulated, electrified, and fitted with doors and windows. Our Wind & Water Tight (used) units convert well. Local permit requirements vary; contact us and we can point you toward the right resources for your county.
Can I rent a shipping container, or do you only sell them?
Steel Box Direct does not rent shipping containers. We sell them, and we offer rent-to-own, where a fixed term of payments ends with you owning the container. You can buy outright, with no monthly fees and Afterpay installments available for qualifying buyers while we schedule your delivery, or spread the cost across 12, 24, 36, or 48 months through the Freedom Conex program, with no traditional credit check and subject to third-party approval. If a short-term rental is genuinely what you need, our guide to renting a container in this region lists the companies we could verify.
Can shipping containers be stacked?
Yes. Shipping containers are engineered to stack via their reinforced corner castings: it's how they're stored at depots and on ships. For on-site storage we deliver and place a single unit; stacking on your property is possible but needs proper equipment, and any zoning or permit requirements are the buyer's responsibility to confirm.
Do you sell refrigerated (reefer) containers?
No. We sell dry Wind & Water Tight (used) containers for storage and on-site use; we don't carry refrigerated (reefer) units. Our containers seal out rain, wind, snow, and pests, but they aren't insulated or temperature-controlled.
Ready to get a quote?
Tell us your size, zip code, and intended use, and we'll get back to you within 4 business hours.
Get My Quote