New vs used shipping containers — choosing the right grade
Compare new and used shipping container condition, appearance and suitable uses before requesting a delivered quote.
20ft · New & used options
20 Foot Shipping Containers
A versatile size for tools, furniture and business storage. Compare the internal measurements and door opening with your contents, then check access for delivery.
Condition and specification
| Grade | Sold watertight? |
|---|---|
| Used — cargo-worthy | Yes — checked wind and watertight |
| New — single-trip | Yes — sealed |
| As-is | No — not sold watertight |
| Hire | Yes — cargo-worthy grade |
Each quote confirms the container, delivery and GST for your job. Availability, condition and site access are checked before booking.
What moves this price
Compare cargo-worthy and single-trip options against what you will store. Cosmetic condition, availability and delivery access all affect the quote; ask for actual unit photos before delivery.
Condition first, price second. Before a cargo-worthy unit leaves the depot it is checked wind and watertight. As-is is the low-cost grade and is not sold watertight — think patched repairs, a soft section of floor or a door seal that no longer closes cleanly — and the faults on an as-is unit are listed for you up front. Single-trip (new) units usually look better but can carry marks from their one voyage. If the contents must stay dry, choose cargo-worthy or new.
Who buys a 20ft
- General household and site storage — the default answer
- Trade and tool storage where it gets locked every night
- Farm storage for feed, chemical and machinery parts
- Anyone comparing prices, because this is the size everyone quotes
Compare it against the other sizes
| Size | Internal L×W×H | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft | 2.83m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 16m³ |
| 20ft | 5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 33m³ |
| 40ft | 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 67m³ |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.70m | 76m³ |
Compare the specifications and ask for a delivered quote. 10ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube have their own pages with full specifications, and the container cost guide explains what affects your delivered quote.
20ft — common questions
How much is a 20ft shipping container?
Ask for a current quote for the size, condition and delivery location you need. We will confirm the container and transport charges together before booking.
What are the internal dimensions of a 20ft?
Internally 5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m, giving about 33m³ of usable space. The door opening is 2.34m wide × 2.28m high, which is the measurement that actually decides whether what you are storing will go in. Tare weight is 2,200 kg approx.
Is a 20ft watertight?
In cargo-worthy grade, yes — every cargo-worthy unit is checked wind and watertight before it leaves the depot, and new single-trip units are sealed. As-is units are cheaper again and are not sold watertight, which is the one distinction worth being absolutely clear about.
What does it cost to deliver a 20ft?
It depends on the distance from the depot holding the unit, the truck the site needs and the access at your end. There is no honest single figure for it, so we do not publish one. We quote the delivery with the container, up front, against your actual address.
Before you choose a 20ft
What a container hire rate actually includes
Practical advice on what a container hire rate actually includes. Compare suitability, condition and the full delivered quote for your job.
Comparing shipping container value per cubic metre
Compare usable space, site access and delivered quotes when choosing a container size. A larger volume is useful only if it fits your job.
Planning around a particular use? See containers for farms and acreage, trade and business storage or home and renovation storage.
No-obligation quote
Get a delivered price for a 20ft
Tell us the postcode, condition and site access. We will quote your container and delivery together.
Prefer a chat? Give our team a call.
Call 1300 639 282