Why Should You Consider Used Shipping Containers For Sale?

When you need to get a shipping container, you want to get the best value for your money. A lot of people think that in order to get a high quality shipping container, they have to buy them brand new. That is great if you can afford it. However, if you need multiple containers, the cost can add up. If you do not want to break your budget, you can consider buying used shipping containers. What are some of the things that you need to consider if you want to buy used shipping containers?

A shipping container that is previous used does not mean that it is poor quality. A lot of times, the container is in perfectly good shape. One thing that you want to make sure of is that it is still guaranteed to be wind and water tight. These are usually containers that have gone out on cargo ships for about eight to twelve years, and which are now being retired. These will have signs of wear and tear on the outside, like some rust, dents, and some bowing on the roof. But these are just cosmetic damages that do not affect how the container performs. The container should have no gaps and still should not let in water or wind. The door should have no problems opening and closing. So, you can get one at a really good price and still get peace of mind that your content will be protected from wind and water.

If you want something that has quality between a new container and a wind/water tight container, you can consider one that is still being used on cargo ships. These have not yet been retired, and they are typically less than eight years old. These carry a certification that they are still sea-worthy. These will probably have some cosmetic damage on the outside like scratches, dents, or patches, but you will be guaranteed of their structural integrity. You can expect these to cost between 10 to 25 percent more than an older, retired shipping container.

Whatever you do, you should stay away from containers that are sold with damage “as-is” because these can have structural damage that can cause you problems. The damage can be anything from a door that will not close or open properly, walls that have so much rust and corrosion that the walls are no longer sound, and other types of major damage that will make the container not safe to use. These are bad investments no matter how cheap the price might be. You would not want to risk your content being damaged by housing them in one of these. These severely damaged containers will usually be recycled for scrap metal, so the metal won’t go to waste.

So, a used shipping container can still have a lot of life in it. It all depends on your needs. If you need something to protect your contents, go with used shipping containers for sale that are certified to be sea worthy or one that is wind and water tight. You will save a lot of money with these choices.