20' Shipping and Storage Containers

A 20ft storage container in used condition — in service and structurally sound. Chosen for secure dry storage. Every unit is inspected before it leaves our yard, so the grade below is what you will actually receive.

This 20ft used shipping and storage container is a practical way to add secure, enclosed storage without the cost of building a permanent structure. Built from heavy-duty COR-TEN steel, it is designed for outdoor use and can protect tools, equipment, inventory and materials from normal weather exposure when the doors are properly closed.

These containers have been decommissioned from commercial shipping service and inspected before sale. As used equipment, each unit will show some evidence of its previous life, such as surface rust, dents, scratches or faded markings. The condition is part of what makes a used container a cost-effective storage option, while the steel structure continues to provide a strong and secure enclosure.

20ft Used Shipping Container for Sale

A 20ft container offers a useful balance between storage capacity and footprint. At approximately 20ft long and 8ft wide, it provides substantial enclosed storage while remaining easier to place and deliver than a 40ft unit.

These units are supplied in a standard configuration with no shelving or custom modifications, giving you a blank interior that can be organized around your particular storage requirements.

Key Features

• Used 20ft shipping container: Previously in commercial service and now available for stationary storage applications.
• COR-TEN steel construction: Weathering steel provides a durable outer structure designed for demanding outdoor conditions.
• Standard 20ft footprint: Approximately 20ft long × 8ft wide × 8ft 6in high.
• Secure double doors: Wide-opening rear doors provide convenient access for tools, pallets, equipment and bulky items.
• Door lockboxes: Lockbox-style door protection helps shield the locking area and supports the use of suitable container locks.
• Passive ventilation: Built-in vents encourage airflow and can help reduce condensation inside the unit.
• Weather-sealed doors: Rubber door gaskets help limit rain and wind from entering when the doors are properly closed.
• Marine-grade plywood floor: Provides a durable surface for normal storage and equipment applications.
• Unmodified interior: The open interior can be fitted with shelving, partitions or other storage systems to suit your needs.

Why Buy a Used 20ft Container?

A used container can be a sensible choice when your primary goal is secure storage rather than owning a container in near-new cosmetic condition. These units have already served in commercial shipping fleets, so they typically show the normal marks associated with handling and transportation.

For many storage applications, those cosmetic imperfections are a worthwhile trade-off for the lower cost of a used unit. The container still provides a lockable steel enclosure that can be placed at a construction site, farm, business property or residential location.

Every unit is inspected before it leaves our yard, helping ensure that the condition represented in the listing corresponds with the container supplied.

Technical Specifications

• Container type: 20ft used shipping and storage container
• Condition: Used / decommissioned from commercial service
• Exterior length: 20ft
• Exterior width: 8ft
• Exterior height: 8ft 6in
• Construction: COR-TEN weathering steel
• Floor: Marine-grade plywood
• Doors: Double swing rear doors with lockbox-style protection
• Ventilation: Passive vents
• Typical color: Beige or brown, depending on the individual unit
• Quantity: 8 units available

Container specifications and appearance can vary slightly between individual used units. If color, dimensions, floor condition or cosmetic appearance is important to your project, we recommend confirming the specific unit before purchase.

Dimensions and Storage Capacity

The standard external dimensions are approximately 20ft long × 8ft wide × 8ft 6in high. A typical 20ft container provides approximately 1,170 cubic feet of internal storage volume, although exact internal dimensions can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and construction.

The wide rear door opening makes it easier to load larger items than a conventional building doorway. Pallets, tools, equipment, building materials and other bulky goods can be positioned inside using appropriate loading equipment.

What Can You Use This 20ft Container For?

The straightforward design makes this container suitable for many ground-level storage applications. It can serve as an additional storage area when your existing building, warehouse, workshop or property does not have enough room.

• Construction sites: Secure tools, building materials, equipment and supplies close to the work area.
• Warehouse overflow: Create additional enclosed space for inventory without expanding your building.
• Agricultural storage: Store farm tools, equipment, fencing supplies and other agricultural materials.
• Commercial storage: Keep stock, supplies, packaging and back-of-house materials organized and secure.
• Residential storage: Add space for landscaping equipment, tools, furniture and household belongings.
• Industrial storage: Provide an enclosed area for equipment, spare parts, materials and other non-hazardous goods.

Dimensions and capacity

Internal dimensions are approximately 19 ft 4 in × 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in (5,898 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm), giving 1,170 cu ft (33.1 m³) of usable space, with double doors at one end. These are the standard figures for a 20ft container; exact internals vary slightly by manufacturer.

Condition

This is a used container that has been in service. It is wind and watertight — no holes, working door seals, an intact roof — but it shows its history: surface rust, dents and previous owner markings are normal and do not affect how it performs.

What it is good for

This unit is commonly used for secure dry storage. Doors, windows, insulation, electrics and paint can all be added before it ships — it is cheaper and neater to specify a conversion while the container is still in our yard than to modify it on your site afterwards.

Browse more in 20ft Containers, or see the full container catalogue.

Standards and inspection

Containers intended for international shipping carry a valid safety approval plate under the Convention for Safe Containers, administered by the International Maritime Organization. Condition grades such as cargo-worthy follow the inspection criteria published by the Institute of International Container Lessors. If you need a unit for shipping rather than static storage, tell us and we will confirm its plate before dispatch.

Delivery

Delivery is quoted against your site access rather than published as a flat rate, because haulage for a container depends on the distance, the approach and whether a crane is needed. Most deliveries use a tilt-bed truck, which needs a clear and reasonably level run about twice the container length. We price it before you commit.