Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping containers are made of high-quality weathering steel. You may also hear this type of steel referred to as COR-TEN steel. COR-TEN Steel is a trademark brand of weathered steel.  

The brand name refers to COR, the corrosion factor of the steel, and TEN is the tensile strength. 

These metals resist corrosion. As such, they do not require painting. Instead, the outer layer of steel rusts in order to form a protective coating.

Most shipping containers have a 1-1/8" laminated marine-grade plywood flooring with steel cross member beams underneath. Bamboo flooring is found in some older and newer shipping containers.

Shipping containers are made from enormous sheets of weathering steel. These are cut, sand-blasted, and then corrugated. The wavy corrugated pattern strengthens the shipping container walls. These walls are then welded to a tubular steel frame.

The corners of the shipping containers are reinforced with corner castings and posts to remain intact when rigged and lifted, fully loaded, by a crane. Similarly, steel cross beams and joists (called cross members) further reinforce the container from side to side. 

Forklift slots, also called pockets, also foster the ability to move shipping containers as needed.

The containers will also have vents to allow airflow, regulate temperature, and reduce moisture. 

Last, a plate is affixed to the shipping container designating its quality based on standards from The International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). This is called a CSC plate and designates that the container is safe to use as it meets international shipping requirements.

For more details, read “The Step-by-Step Process of How a Shipping Container Is Made.”

A Standard container is 8' 6" high 

A High Cube container is 9' 6" high

New containers are also known as new, one-way (one-trip) containers, which means they have had a one-way loaded move from the manufacturer overseas to North America. New containers may also be called “1-trip” or “1-T” containers. Common lengths for new containers include 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers.

Used shipping containers have been used in international container shipping for an average of 18 to 22 years. They may have shipping container grades of:  

• Cargo Worthy
• Wind and Watertight
• As-is 

Cargo-worthy graded containers can be used for international or domestic transport. These may also be called ocean shipping containers or sea-worthy containers.

Wind- and watertight-graded containers are not used for sea travel. However, they are in good condition and suitable for storage or modification projects.

Because of the low quality of “as-is” graded containers, we never sell these at Container Management, Inc.

Yes, shipping containers are referred to by a variety of names. 

For example, shipping containers used for exports are often called

• Seaworthy containers
• Cargo containers
• Export containers
• Ocean containers

Shipping containers may also be called freight containers, shipping boxes, storage containers, or portable pods.

They may also be called Conex boxes or ISO containers. Akin to using the brand name Xerox® when referring to a photocopy, “Conex” was a brand name. The CONEX box was a type of cargo container used during the Korean and Vietnam wars. 

Today, Conex boxes have been replaced with intermodal containers, also called International Organization for Standardization (ISO) containers. ISO containers are standardized shipping containers that can transport goods on ships, trains, or trucks without unloading and loading the steel container.

Often, shipping containers are simply referred to by their lengths. Thus, a 20-foot container is 20 feet long, and a 40-foot container is 40 feet long.

Cargo containers or shipping containers come in many sizes. They are usually identified by the length of the container.

As mentioned above, a 40-foot shipping container is 40 feet long, while a 20-foot container is 20 feet long.

Regardless of its length, a shipping container is eight feet wide. This is true for both 20-foot and 40-foot containers.

20-foot Shipping Containers

The vast majority of 20-foot shipping containers are 8 feet and 6 inches tall. Rarely, 20-foot containers can be found as high cube containers, and only as new containers. These are a foot taller than standard-height containers.  However, the worldwide availability of 20-foot shipping containers is very limited. 

40-foot Shipping Containers

Shipping containers that are 40 feet long come in standard heights of 8 feet, 6 inches, and also in high cube (HC) container heights of 9 feet, 6 inches.

A 20-foot shipping container has a tare weight (empty weight) of 4,850 pounds—just about 2.5 tons.

A standard 40-foot shipping container has a tare weight of 8,168 lbs. But a 40-foot high cube container weighs 8,587 lbs. when empty.

A standard container is 8' 6" tall, and a high cube container is 9' 6" tall.

A 20-foot standard height container has a capacity of 1,166 cubic feet.

A 40-foot standard height container has a capacity of 2,377 cubic feet. The 40-foot high cube container offers 2,681 cubic feet for shipping or storage.

The grading system in the container industry ranges from IICL, Cargo Worthy for Ocean Export, Wind/Water Tight and As Is. It is the only industry recognized grading system.

• IICL – These are used containers that have come out of international shipping line fleets before their normal 18 to 22 years of depreciation.
• Cargo Worthy is a grade of container that meets all of the requirements of the manufacturer. Certified means a licensed private company has inspected the container to confirm it meets all requirements for international ocean shipment.
• Wind/Water tight containers have structural integrity and are able to carry the same weight for which they were built. The Wind/Water Tight designation means the container is dry inside.
• As Is condition means the container comes with no guarantees.

Used containers generally average 18 to 22 years of age.

Be careful when comparing pricing. Not all used containers are equal - the greatest percentage of used containers we sell are graded as Cargo Worthy. Used Wind and Watertight containers are also available.

We never sell “as is” containers because of their poor quality.

Used containers may have some dings & dents with exterior rust - none of which affect the structural integrity of the container.

Our containers are completely enclosed to offer wind and water protection. We guarantee all of our containers to be wind and watertight at the time of pick up or delivery.

Our NEW containers are generally beige, tan, or gray. We do not sell USED containers by color. However, for a multiple-container purchase, we can usually match the container colors.

In the sun a shipping container can reach a maximum temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In the cold, a container’s temperature can sink to negative 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

Moisture is the enemy of shipping containers. Here are four ways to help reduce moisture in a shipping or storage container. 

Avoid Moisture 

Wooden pallets in a storage container, damp products, and organic materials can add moisture to a storage container. In a container home, overly hot or long showers and steaming hot tubs can also add moisture. 

When transporting products, consider switching to pallets made of plastic.

Dehumidify

In a storage container, an electric dehumidifier can remove moisture from the air. Likewise, desiccant bags and silica can absorb moisture from the air.

Ventilate

Windows, fans and other sources of ventilation can allow air to circulate within a container. Exhaust fans are also an option. 

Additional Types of Ventilation: Passive and Active Ventilation

When it comes to ventilation, there are two main types: passive and active. Passive ventilation is the most common type of ventilation and involves simply allowing air to flow in and out of the container through strategically placed openings. This can be achieved with vent covers, louvers, or even mesh screens. Active ventilation involves the use of mechanical fans or blowers, which draw air into the container and circulate it throughout the space. It is more effective than passive ventilation, but it is also more expensive and requires more maintenance.

Insulate

The type of insulation you use in a container home or storage container will depend on the climate in your region. For shipping cargo, barrier film may help seal your goods.

We use a tilt-bed trailer to transport your container. This allows us to place your container on the ground. 

If you’re more than 200 miles from one of our shipping container depots, we use a flat-bed or step-deck trailer. The latter option requires that you have the ability to lift the container off of the trailer at the time of its arrival.

Yes, we will lift the container at no additional cost, and place it on your tilt-bed, flat-bed, or step-deck trailer. Your trailer must meet state highway requirements, and by law, you are required to completely secure the container to your trailer.

A pickup truck is not suitable for container delivery.

Delivery costs depend on the distance to your site from where we store the containers. We suggest you contact us by phone - Monday through Friday – 8 am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time - 708 639-4992 or email us at [email protected]

A 20-foot shipping container requires about 75 feet of straight-line space for delivery and another 20 feet of turning space. 

A 40-foot container requires roughly 110 feet of straight-line space  and another 20 feet of turning space for the truck and trailer. 

All units require a minimum width of 12 feet.

We need 12 feet 6 inches of clearance from the ground to the top of the container; and a total of 16 feet of clearance to allow for the highest extension of the tilt-bed trailer. 

It is imperative that there are no power lines, tree branches, or other obstructions to the necessary height clearance.  

Be sure to meet the space requirements noted above. Furthermore, your delivery site should be level and firm. We have delivered on level grass, dirt, cement, and pavement. A level surface is especially necessary for 40-foot containers.

Yes, weather can affect delivery.

If you plan to place the container directly on the ground, as opposed to concrete, black-top, or gravel; rain or snow can make the soil less firm and difficult to support the massive weight of the truck and shipping container.

We ask that you keep an eye on the weather report and advise if we need to reschedule for a time when the ground will be dry enough to accept the weight of the truck, trailer, and container. 

To reschedule your container delivery, we require a minimum of 24 hours of notice prior to the established delivery date.

If a container is being delivered to a firm surface; i.e., established road bed, asphalt, or cement; rain generally will not affect a delivery.

We strive to deliver containers within a 2 to 3 day window from your order date Monday through Friday. Delivery dates are advised at the time of your order.

An individual needs to be present at the delivery site with cell phone accessibility to the driver.

We do not move loaded containers with our tilt-bed trucks.

We do not recommend that containers be raised off the ground unless a specific ground condition requires it. 

Please give our Operations Group a call to discuss how this can be accomplished when utilizing our tilt-bed trailers. At a few of our locations, we do offer delivery utilizing a side-unloader. In this case, a container can be placed on top of a fixed foundation.

Our drivers do not accept any payments. As a result, we do not offer a COD program.

The cost of shipping containers can fluctuate depending on many factors that at the same time. Assuming that all other factors are the same, you can expect the following:

• New shipping containers will cost more than used containers.
• Shipping containers with a higher container grade will cost more.
• Shipping containers will cost more where there are fewer containers available in the marketplace.
• Shipping containers that need to travel further will have a higher container delivery charge.
• Longer containers will cost more than shorter containers.
• High cube containers cost more than standard height containers.
• Shipping containers with unusual sizes or features may cost more. 
• Loyal customers may find better values and discounts.

Our shipping container experts work diligently to help you secure the optimal shipping container that meets your needs at the lowest cost.

Consider the information on our website, such as used vs. new shipping containers, shipping container grades, and shipping container length. 

When you’re ready to order a container, please call our office. We’ll help guide you through the buying process and the best shipping container options to meet your needs at the best value.

We accept all credit cards, checks, and wire transfers.