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20ft Used Shipping Container, Cargo Worthy
Wind and watertight, structurally sound and cleared for sea transport. Starting depot prices in 25 US metros, updated October 2026. Delivered quotes from vetted local suppliers.
15+ years in containers
Vetted Local Suppliers
Cargo worthy (CW)
from $1,045
Most metros $1,295 to $1,645 · depot price, October 2026
- External 20′ x 8′ x 8’6″
- 1,170 cu ft capacity
- Wind and watertight, structurally sound
- Delivery quoted for your ZIP code
One request, quotes from vetted suppliers near you, no fees. Compare more on 20ft shipping containers or browse the full marketplace.
What cargo worthy means
A cargo worthy container has been inspected and cleared to carry freight by sea. The frame, corner castings, cross members, floor and doors are sound, and the box keeps wind and water out. It still looks used: dents, patches of surface rust, faded paint and old shipping line markings are normal. Most units come out of shipping line service after 10 to 15 years.
For storage, a job site or a farm, CW is the grade most buyers choose because it costs far less than a one-trip 20ft container and holds up for many years. If you plan to ship goods in the container, ask the supplier for a current cargo worthy certificate before you pay. For a cleaner box with fewer dents, look at the grades explained on used shipping containers.
Specifications
| Measurement | External | Internal |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 20′ 0″ (6.06 m) | 19′ 4″ (5.90 m) |
| Width | 8′ 0″ (2.44 m) | 7′ 8″ (2.35 m) |
| Height | 8′ 6″ (2.59 m) | 7′ 10″ (2.39 m) |
| Door opening | 7′ 8″ wide x 7′ 5″ high | |
| Tare weight | about 4,630 lbs (2,100 kg) | |
| Max gross weight | 67,200 lbs (30,480 kg) | |
| Capacity | 1,170 cu ft (33.2 m³) |
Figures are typical for ISO standard 20ft units. Older containers can differ by an inch or two and the tare weight varies by manufacturer. The full breakdown of all sizes is on shipping container dimensions.
Depot prices by metro
Starting price at depots in each metro. Delivery is not included and depends on the distance from the depot to your site.
| Metro | 20ft used CW from |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $1,695 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $1,645 |
| Baltimore, MD | $1,295 |
| Charleston, SC | $1,145 |
| Charlotte, NC | $1,695 |
| Chicago, IL | $1,145 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $1,445 |
| Cleveland, OH | $1,445 |
| Columbus, OH | $1,495 |
| Dallas, TX | $1,645 |
| Detroit, MI | $1,145 |
| Houston, TX | $1,045 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $1,495 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $1,295 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $1,395 |
| Memphis, TN | $1,445 |
| Miami, FL | $1,195 |
| Mobile, AL | $1,445 |
| Nashville, TN | $1,695 |
| New York / New Jersey | $1,345 |
| Oakland / San Francisco, CA | $1,595 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $2,295 |
| Savannah, GA | $1,145 |
| Seattle, WA | $1,795 |
| St. Louis, MO | $1,445 |
Buyers in San Antonio usually buy from Houston depots, buyers in Orlando and Tampa from Jacksonville. Prices move with container supply at the ports; we track them every month in the shipping container price index.
Delivery cost
| Distance from depot | Typical cost, one container |
|---|---|
| Under 50 miles | $350 to $750 |
| 50 to 100 miles | $500 to $1,000 |
| 100 to 200 miles | $800 to $1,600 |
| 200 to 300 miles | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| Over 300 miles | often $3.50 to $5 per mile plus unloading |
A tilt bed truck needs about 60 feet of straight clearance to slide a 20ft container off. Site access, ground conditions and a crane, if needed, change the price. Worked examples are on shipping container transport cost.
Check before you pay
Ask for photos of the actual unit or look at it at the depot. Close yourself inside with the doors shut and look for daylight, which shows holes in the roof or walls. Open and close both doors and check that the locking bars turn freely and the rubber seals are intact. Walk the floor and feel for soft spots, then look under the container at the cross members. Rust on the surface is normal; rust that flakes through the steel is not. The size code on the doors should read 22G1 for a standard 20ft.
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See it full size on your property
Use your phone camera to place the container on your property at its real size. You see how much room it takes and how it sits before you buy.
Scan with your phoneThis page opens straight on your phone.
- On your phone, tap “View full size”.
- Move the phone slowly over the ground until it picks up the surface.
- The container appears about 10 ft in front of you, doors facing you, so you see all of it straight away.
- Drag with one finger to bring it closer or move it. Twist with two fingers to turn it. You can also walk around it.
Full-size view is not available on this device. Turn the 3D model above with your finger to see it from every side.
Works on iPhone 6s or newer with iOS 12 or later and on most Android phones from 2018 on with Google Play Services for AR. On other devices you can turn the 3D model above and look at it from every side.
External size 20ft: 20 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft 6 in (6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m), length × width × height
