Shipping & Delivery
If you’re ordering a container, the fastest way to obtain the unit is to pick-up locally at the nearest yard. If you need the container shipped and delivered to your location, you’ll need to cover a few bases:
- Delivery times will vary depending on your location and other circumstances. Your agent will inform you on the best delivery options.
- After your container is released, we will dispatch to a local driver who will coordinate with you on the soonest delivery date.
- From here, the delivery is in your hands. Read further to learn how to properly prep your delivery site for your driver.
Container Weight
Shipping containers are heavy! 20' units start at 8,000lbs so be sure the storage spot is on solid ground.
Truck Weight
Your container will weigh 8000 - 12000 lbs, plus the truck and trailer weight will affect delivery location.
Space to Maneuver
Upon arrival, make sure you have enough space for the truck to enter the property and back in the truck if necessary.
Space to Unload
Determine if you unloading site has enough space for the delivery driver to unload your container.
The combined weight of the truck, trailer and container can combine to be over 40,000-pounds, so make sure your site is prepared for this. Your delivery site needs to be a firm, solid location (i.e. the truck cannot pull across a grass yard without some type of road access). In addition to straight away backing space, the truck also needs to be able to maneuver into position at your delivery site.
Since safety is always the main concern, the driver has the right to make the decision not to deliver based on safety concerns. The best way to prepare for this is to give us a call if your drop-off site is questionable. You may also consider having a back-up delivery site in mind in the event the driver makes a drop-off-day decision that the site is unfit for delivery.
Delivery should only take about 15 minutes once the driver arrives (as long as your site is ready). If the driver is required to wait more than 30 minutes after arriving on site to start delivery, the customer may be charged for wait time. If the driver is unable to safely deliver, the customer may still be charged a dry run fee.
As part of your order process, you’ll be working with your representative. Once you fax or email your signed order contract we will help you make payment arrangements. After we receive your funds, we will then set up logistics with the freight company.
Delivery times generally take about 5-6 business days (schedules permitting).
The lowest cost way to purchase a shipping container is to schedule pick-up at the nearest depot, however 4SaleContainers.com will help you with delivery as well.
Shipping container delivery cost is based on the mileage to you from the container depot, typically with a minimum charge set by the local carriers.
All your container delivery needs are handled by professional, third-party logistics companies specializing in shipping container delivery. Regardless of where you are, we can typically find companies to delivery your boxes to your destination.
Standard delivery prices in the industry average about $4.00 per mile, with many companies having a minimum charge of around $350-$400. Some markets may be more or less depending on fuel costs and location. So be sure to calculate freight into your overall container purchase budget.
Prior to delivery, make sure you have plenty of space available for the truck to maneuver. The trucks are large and have a limited turning radius.
Also, make sure your drop-spot is on solid ground and the plot is prepared. So if you need to clear debris, level the surface, or prepare the ground for a truck to drive over that, make sure you’re set up to avoid costly re-delivery fees.
View our Delivery Guide for details on the proper space allowances.