Here are 7 easy steps to get one “How to Buy Shipping Containers Online?”
Here’s your step-by-step guide on How to buy shipping containers online to save you time and money on container deals. On our online container marketplace, you get quality shipping containers at great prices. Read this blog to find out more.
What do you do when you have to buy a shipping container? Well, you may contact your local broker or your regional network for container deals. But in this way, you can never be sure that you’re paying the right price. With the lack of transparency in the industry and the huge cuts taken by middlemen – you may end up paying a lot more for a container than the current market price.
So how do you buy containers at the best price? At Container xChange – the leading online marketplace to buy, sell or lease containers. On our online container trading platform, you can find containers in 2500+ locations globally within seconds from vetted members. Our platform makes it possible to find container deals, compare and negotiate container prices – all in one place. And we do it without charging any commission.
Want to find the best container deals? Simply use the trading search below by filling in your desired container type and location. Then, you can choose the deal that’s within your budget easily!
Contents
- 1 Here are 7 easy steps to get one “How to Buy Shipping Containers Online?”
- 1.1 Here are 7 steps to buy a shipping container
- 1.2 Step 1: Should I buy or lease a shipping container For Sale?
- 1.3 Step 2: Which container type do I need?
- 1.4 Step 3: Choose the condition and grading of the container
- 1.5 Step 5: Where to buy a shipping container?
- 1.6 Step 6: Hire a container surveyor
- 1.7 Step 7: Transport the container
- 2 Buy containers in a few clicks with Container xChange
- 3 FAQ
Here are 7 steps to buy a shipping container
There are 12 types of shipping containers you’ll find for your cargo shipping needs. Every container comes with different conditions and gradings, depending on its usage and structure. So, knowing which container to choose and how to purchase it is very important.
That’s why we’ve curated 7 simple steps for you to follow to buy a container of your choice. These steps will help you understand your needs and make an informed choice before you shell out thousands of dollars.

How to buy shipping containers online
Step 1: Should I buy or lease a shipping container For Sale?
Let’s have a look at some of the different scenarios for you to consider. How to buy shipping containers online. If you only need a few containers for storage, being a container owner makes sense. The same goes:
- If you need containers for an indefinite period
- Use containers frequently
- Don’t need too many of them
When you buy a container, it’s important that you’re sure you’ll use the container for a long time. This is because you’ll make a one-time upfront payment. However, you can recover it later by selling it in the second-hand container market or even using it for other purposes. Buying a container is a good investment if you have the money to purchase one. Want to buy a container at the best price? Click here to check out container deals in your location.

Should I buy or lease a shipping container For Sale
On the other hand, you might only need to use a small number of containers. You could also be in need of a large number of containers, but only for one way. Or simply need the containers for a short period of time. If you find yourself in any of these situations, leasing a container would be the best option for you.
[Not quite sure whether you should buy or lease the containers? How to buy shipping containers online You can learn more about the pros and cons of leasing and buying shipping containers right here in this blog article.
Step 2: Which container type do I need?
Now that you know if you should buy or lease the containers, you’re ready for the next step: Deciding on which container type you need. This can feel like yet another jungle of information. But it all comes down to what goods you’re shipping.

Which container type do I need?
When you start looking for containers, the first thing you need to consider is: Do I need a standard container, or does my cargo have special requirements? If you need to ship paper or other common dry cargo, a standard container can be the best solution for you. Here, you can choose between the most common container sizes: 20ft and 40ft – as well as their taller sibling, the high cube. How to buy shipping containers online.
But if your cargo has special requirements, there’s a long row of special containers for you to choose from. If you’ll be shipping foods, chemicals, or medicine, you should look into the reefer containers. Reefers help maintain a steady temperature inside the container (perfect for cold chain logistics). You can get the full overview and learn more about these container types in our in-depth blog article on container types.
Step 3: Choose the condition and grading of the container
When you’ve figured out which container type is right for you, it’s time to decide on the grading of the container. It will depend on what you need the container for. This step will make sure that your cargo successfully passes through customs. Here are the gradings of containers:
- Grade A: These are new, refurbished, or used containers. They have only minimal rust and dents and are wind and water-tight (WWT). These long-lasting containers are great for transporting cargo.
- Grade C (Wind & Water-tight): A container is a wind and water-tight (WWT) if no wind or water can penetrate the container.
- As-is: They could have the majority of damage on the roof or walls, damaged floors, bad seals, doors that are difficult to open, or structural damage.
Step 4: Find out how much a shipping container costs
The next and most important factor you need to pay attention to is the shipping container price. Knowing the price beforehand can help you negotiate better deals with sellers. Here are the prices of 20ft and 40ft standard containers in popular locations.
Standard container prices (cargo-worthy) | ||
Location | 20ft | 40ft |
China | $1647 | $1850 |
USA | $2136 | $2700 |
India | $1471 | $2235 |
Europe | $1625 | $1800 |
UAE | $1340 | $1903 |
One easy way to do this is to use xChange Insights. How to buy a shipping container online with this tool, you get current container prices in 60+ locations globally. All you’ve to do is submit your location and the container type. This gives you a better understanding of the container market price cycle and helps you determine the best time to buy equipment.
Step 5: Where to buy a shipping container?
Around the ports, there are usually plenty of container suppliers. This gives you little chance to know the reasoning behind the price and added fees. You can simply become a member of Container xChange and find the best match for yourself through a tap on the screen. Connect with 1500+ vetted members in 2500+ locations to buy containers online at the best prices. Plus, we offer 100% market transparency and don’t charge any commission on your deals.

Where to buy a shipping container
Step 6: Hire a container surveyor
Reaching out to a surveyor is mostly relevant if you want to lease your shipping containers For Sale. This is often something the leasing companies make sure to do to insure themselves. If you want to learn more about the different inspections a container surveyor offers, have a look at this in-depth blog article.
Step 7: Transport the container
This means figuring out the scheduling, booking slots on the vessel, trucking, and transporting by rail. If you’re planning on shipping your containers empty, we’d like you to think twice. You might want to consider using your container as a How to buy shipping containers online. Let’s say you need to move your box from Los Angeles, the US, to Shanghai, China. This means that a container user leases the shipping container for that one journey. And that’s a situation where you both win.
The container user gets to move the cargo and you get your container to where you need it. To make it even better, the container user pays for the shipping of the container. Meaning you don’t have to pay anything to get your container to your preferred location. At Container xChange! Through our leasing platform, you can put up leasing offers and find vetted members to move your box. Click here to check out how you can put up leasing offers yourself.
Must Read: Why Choose shipping container bar is Best for Us: 10 Reasons
Must Read: How to Use Shipping Containers in Your Warehouse
Buy containers in a few clicks with Container xChange
If it’s a part of your business to buy and sell containers regularly, we’ve got an offer you don’t want to miss! By choosing Container xChange you can:
- Find vetted partners and make deals. Risk-free: All companies undergo a mandatory vetting process before becoming members. This means you can do business with all xChange members. Risk-free. Here, you can see reviews from previous partners – and how they’ve rated them. Want an extra layer of security? Keep on reading!
- Make 100% secure transactions: For this, we keep your money on hold with us for 7 days to ensure you get your containers. Our dedicated Customer Service team makes sure that your container operations go smoothly. And that your payments are completely secure.
- Choose between 50,000+ boxes and make unlimited deals: Do you need a container type that you can’t find in your current sourcing channels? Don’t worry. With over 50,000 containers located across 2,500+ unique locations, Container xChange makes it easy for you to find the containers you need.
You get all this right from your computer screen and much more with xChange. Learn how you can get the best deal for shipping containers. Book a free tour of the platform with our expert team by clicking the banner below.
FAQ
Question: How much will a 20ft container cost?
Answer: A new 20ft dry container normally costs between $1,500 and $3,500, whereas a new 40ft dry container typically costs between $2,500 and $4,500. If you want a new 40ft high cube (HC) container, expect to pay between $2,500 and $6,000.
Question: What is the maximum 20 ft container?
Answer: A 20-foot container is 5.90 metres long, 2.35 metres wide, and 2.39 metres tall. The width of the door is 2.34 metres, while the height is 2.28 metres. The tare weight is around 2,300 kilogrammes. The payload is the maximum loading capacity of a 20’container, and it is 28,200 kg.
Question: How much is an empty 20ft container?
Answer: Depending on availability, one trip of 20′ containers might cost anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000.