Buyer’s Guide to Shipping Containers Australia
Buying a container comes down to three decisions: what condition, what size, and can a truck reach the spot. This shipping container buyers guide walks you through each one. Supplying Queensland and Australia-wide from our Lowood depot since 2019.
Choose Your Condition
Condition sets both price and appearance. Every unit is inspected before dispatch and graded to the standard definitions used across the Australian container industry — so you can compare quotes like for like.
One-Trip (New)
Shipped to Australia once, never previously loaded. Clean paint, tight seals, minimal marks.
Best for: looks & modificationsCargo Worthy (Used)
Certified for active international shipping with a valid CSC plate. Watertight, with service wear.
Best for: road or sea transportWind & Watertight (Used)
Sealed against wind and water, structurally sound, no shipping certification. Visible cosmetic wear.
Best for: value storageAs-Is
Sold in current condition, no warranty on structure or function. May have holes or door faults.
Best for: parts & projectsSurface rust is not a leak. Cor-Ten steel weathers on the outside by design. Cosmetic rust on a used unit is normal and does not affect whether it is watertight.
Genuine ISO containers are built to ISO 668 — the standard that fixes dimensions and corner-casting positions so containers stack and crane worldwide. Cabins, flat-packs, and custom builds sit outside it.
Pick Your Size
Every standard container is 2.44m (8ft) wide. Only length and height change.
| Size | External (L × W × H) | Floor | Volume | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft | 2.99 × 2.44 × 2.59m (9'10" × 8' × 8'6") |
~6.5 m² | ~16 m³ | Tight sites, tools, small yards |
| 20ft Standard | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59m (20' × 8' × 8'6") |
~13.8 m² | ~33 m³ | Most popular — general storage, site sheds |
| 40ft Standard | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59m (40' × 8' × 8'6") |
~28.3 m² | ~67 m³ | Bulk storage, farm equipment |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90m (40' × 8' × 9'6") |
~28.3 m² | ~76 m³ | Tall cargo, racking, conversions |
| 45ft High Cube | 13.72 × 2.44 × 2.90m (45' × 8' × 9'6") |
~31.9 m² | ~86 m³ | Maximum capacity per delivery |
High Cube or Standard?
A High Cube adds ~300mm (1ft) of internal height. Worth it for double-stacked pallets, tall machinery, or office conversions where headroom matters. For general storage, standard height is better value.
Two 20ft or one 40ft?
Two 20fts cost more but give you two lockable spaces, two placements, and access to sites a 40ft truck cannot reach. Tight driveway? Go with two 20fts.
Check Your Site Access
Site access is the number one cause of failed deliveries. Containers arrive on tilt-tray or side-loader trucks that need room to reverse, tilt, and slide the unit into place.
📞 Not sure your site works? Call +61 468 147 326 before you order and we will talk the access through with you — a side-loader or crane lift can often solve a site a tilt-tray cannot reach. A five-minute call costs less than a failed delivery fee.
Delivery & Payment at a Glance
Custom and modified builds run longer lead times on a staged payment schedule, set out in your written quote. Full detail: Shipping & Delivery · Payment · Refunds & Returns.
Check Council Requirements
Placing a container may need council approval — especially for long-term placement, residential zoning, or any conversion to habitable or workspace use. Requirements vary between Queensland councils and between states. Short-term storage on a rural block is usually simple; a permanent backyard office usually is not. Approval is the buyer's responsibility, so confirm with your council before ordering.
Before You Order
- ✓Condition grade matched to how you will use the unit
- ✓Size checked against both your storage need and your site access
- ✓Overhead clearance checked along the full approach
- ✓Straight run measured — 20m for a 20ft, 35m for a 40ft
- ✓Ground firm and level where the unit will sit
- ✓Placement spot marked and door direction decided
- ✓Council requirements checked if long-term or a conversion
- ✓Delivery address and on-site contact number ready
- ✓Someone available to receive the delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a shipping container last?
20 years or more if kept on level ground and clear of standing water. Rust starts where water sits, so raising the unit on stands or bearers and keeping the roof clear matters more than anything else.
Do I need a concrete foundation?
No — but the unit should sit level with support at the four corner castings. Concrete blocks, sleepers, or purpose-built stands work well. This keeps the doors square and airflow under the floor.
What site access do I need for delivery?
Tilt-tray delivery needs level ground, 6m overhead clearance, 3.5m clear width, and a straight run of about 20m for a 20ft container or 35m for a 40ft. Side-loader delivery needs roughly 4m clear beside the placement point and 6m overhead, without the long straight run. Tight access? Call us first — a side-loader or crane lift can be arranged.
Are used containers watertight?
Wind & Watertight and Cargo Worthy grades are sealed against water ingress — that is what the grade certifies. As-Is units carry no such warranty.
Can containers be modified?
Yes — doors, windows, vents, insulation, electrical fit-out, and full conversions to offices, lunchrooms, or switch rooms. Custom builds are quoted individually.
Can I inspect before buying?
Yes. Yard visits at our Lowood depot are by appointment — call ahead so we can have the units accessible and a team member available.
Ready to find your container?
Browse the full range in our shop, or call +61 468 147 326 for a delivered price to your postcode.