20ft Open Side Shipping Container – One Trip – With Side Doors

A 20ft side door container in one-trip condition — a single loaded voyage from the factory. Chosen for full-length access along one side. Every unit is inspected before it leaves our yard, so the grade below is what you will actually receive.

This 20ft one-trip open side shipping container gives you something a standard container cannot: access along the full length of one side. That makes loading long materials, bulky equipment, pallets and other awkward items considerably easier, particularly when access through the end doors is inconvenient.

The container is in one-trip condition, meaning it has made a single loaded journey from the factory. It has not spent years moving cargo between ports, so you can expect a structure that is close to new, with a clean floor, sound doors and only minor signs of handling or transit.

20ft Open Side Shipping Container for Sale

Standard shipping containers are excellent for enclosed storage, but their end-door-only design can become frustrating when you need to load long materials or access goods positioned throughout the container. This open side 20ft container solves that problem with a full-length side opening in addition to the standard rear cargo doors.

That extra access point can save time on busy job sites and make the container easier to organize. You can load from the side with a forklift, position long materials without forcing them through the end doors, or access individual sections of the container without moving everything in front of the rear opening.

Key Features

• One-trip condition: Used for a single loaded voyage from the manufacturing point before being offered for sale.
• Full-length side opening: Bi-fold side doors open along one side of the container to provide broad lateral access to the interior.
• Standard rear cargo doors: Retains the conventional end-door access found on standard shipping containers.
• Corten steel construction: Built from weather-resistant steel designed for the demanding conditions associated with container transport and outdoor storage.
• Weather-resistant doors: Door seals are designed to help maintain a wind and watertight interior when properly closed.
• Lockable access: Both the side and rear doors have locking hardware for securing the contents.
• Forklift pockets: Integrated pockets allow suitable handling equipment to position the empty container where appropriate.
• Ventilation: Top-mounted vents encourage airflow and can help reduce condensation inside the container.
• Wooden floor: Supplied with an intact container floor suitable for normal cargo and storage applications.

Why Choose an Open Side Container?

The biggest advantage is access. A conventional 20ft container gives you an opening at one end, which works well for many types of cargo but can make long or bulky items difficult to load. With a full-length side opening, you have a much wider loading area and can approach the cargo from the side.

This is particularly useful for businesses handling materials such as timber, steel sections, pipes, machinery and construction supplies. It can also be useful for palletized goods when you want to load or unload from a side rather than repeatedly positioning equipment at the end of the container.

For storage, the side opening can make the container easier to organize. Instead of treating the unit as one long storage tunnel, you can access different sections along its length.

Technical Specifications

• External length: 20ft / approximately 6.06m
• External width: 8ft / approximately 2.44m
• External height: 8ft 6in / approximately 2.59m
• Internal length: approximately 19ft 4in / 5.90m
• Internal width: approximately 7ft 7in / 2.33m
• Internal height: approximately 7ft 9in / 2.35m
• Maximum gross weight: approximately 67,200 lbs / 30,480kg
• Tare weight: approximately 5,140 lbs / 2,330kg
• Construction: Corten steel

Exact dimensions and weights can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and the specific side-door configuration. If you are planning to load machinery, install shelving or work within strict weight limits, confirm the final specifications of the individual unit before use.

Internal Capacity

The container provides approximately 1,170 cubic feet of internal volume. The internal space is roughly 19ft 4in long × 7ft 8in wide × 7ft 10in high, although the side-door construction can affect certain measurements slightly.

The side opening does not replace the enclosed storage function of the container. When the doors are closed and properly secured, it remains a fully enclosed steel storage space. The difference is that you have another, much larger access point when loading and unloading.

What Can You Use a 20ft Open Side Container For?

These containers are particularly useful where standard end access creates a practical limitation. Common applications include:

• Construction material storage: Store timber, steel sections, pipes, tools and other building materials with easier side access.
• Industrial equipment: House machinery, pumps, generators and other equipment that may be difficult to maneuver through standard cargo doors.
• Warehouse overflow: Create additional secure storage for stock and materials without constructing permanent storage space.
• Distribution and logistics: Make pallet loading and unloading easier where side access suits the site layout.
• Farm storage: Store agricultural equipment, supplies, fencing materials and other long items.
• Retail and events: The large side opening can be incorporated into a kiosk, display area or mobile retail conversion.
• Workshop projects: Create a secure enclosed workspace with unusually convenient access to equipment and materials.

One-Trip Condition

One-trip describes the container's shipping history rather than simply being a marketing term for “new.” It means the unit has made a single loaded journey from the factory before being offered for another use.

As a result, one-trip containers generally have considerably less wear than containers that have spent many years in international service. You can expect sound paint, a clean floor, properly functioning doors and relatively minor handling or transit marks.

It is still important to inspect the individual container. “One-trip” does not mean that every unit will be cosmetically perfect, and the condition of the doors, seals, floor, corner castings and other components should be checked before the container is put into service.

What Is Included?

• 1 × 20ft one-trip open side shipping container
• Standard rear cargo doors with locking hardware
• Full-length bi-fold side doors
• Intact wooden container floor
• Integrated ventilation
• Forklift pockets where fitted to the unit

Security and Weather Protection

The container combines the broad access of a side-door configuration with the security of a steel shipping container. Both the side and rear doors can be secured when closed, allowing the unit to function as a locked storage space when it is not being loaded or unloaded.

The Corten steel construction and door seals are designed to protect the interior from normal outdoor exposure. As with any container, correct positioning, proper door closure and regular inspection of seals are important for maintaining weather resistance over time.

Conversion Potential

An open side container can also be a useful starting point for a custom conversion. Depending on your project, options can include insulation, electrical work, lighting, windows, additional doors, shelving, counters, paint and exterior branding.

The full-length side opening can be particularly useful for a mobile retail stand, event kiosk or workshop because it can become part of the design rather than simply functioning as a cargo door. If you already know what you want to build, planning the work before delivery can save time compared with arranging modifications after the container reaches your site.

For other sizes and configurations, browse our 20ft containers or explore the full container catalogue.

Standards and Inspection

Containers intended for international transport are subject to safety requirements under the Convention for Safe Containers, administered through the International Maritime Organization.

Inspection and condition practices are also relevant when assessing container equipment. The Institute of International Container Lessors provides industry information relating to container inspection and condition standards.

If you plan to use this unit for international shipping rather than static storage or a conversion project, tell us before ordering so we can confirm the current safety approval and suitability for your intended application.

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

One-trip means the container has made exactly one loaded journey from the factory, so it is close to new. Expect sound paint, a clean floor and doors that seal properly, with only minor transit marks.

What it is good for

This unit is commonly used for full-length access along one side. 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.