- Container type
- 40ft Shipping Container
- Available sizes
- 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, 45ft subject to type and stock
- External dimensions (L x W x H)
- 12.19 x 2.44 x 2.59 m
- Internal dimensions (L x W x H)
- 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m
- Door opening (W x H)
- 2.34 x 2.28 m
- Tare weight
- 3,750 kg
Standard Dry Containers
40ft Shipping Container for Sale
Two TEU of capacity in one lift, the 40ft dry container delivers about 67 cubic metres and remains the backbone of deep-sea liner trade. Corten steel walls, a 28mm marine plywood floor and cast corner fittings give it a service life measured in decades.
€3,100 – €4,700
approx. $3,400 – $5,100 · ex-depot, excl. VAT and delivery
Bought in volume by exporters, distribution centres, grain stores, container conversion specialists and any operation moving large volumes of dry cargo.
- Valid CSC safety approval plate on every certified unit
- Available in new one-trip, cargo-worthy and wind-and-watertight grades
- Colour matching and corporate branding applied before dispatch
- Lock box, high-security padlock and anti-tamper hardware options
- Vent options to manage internal condensation
- Repair and refurbishment history documented on used stock
About the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale
The 40ft dry container doubles the floor of a 20ft without doubling the freight cost per cubic metre, which is why it dominates deep-sea liner trades. Swaans grades every 40ft on door gear, floor condition and roof panel dishing before it goes on the sale list.
Every 40ft Shipping Container for Sale we supply is drawn from our own inspected stock of corrosion-resistant Corten steel dry boxes built to ISO 668 and ISO 1496-1, the universal workhorse of global freight and site storage. Swaans Containers B.V. trades globally from depots across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, which means the unit you buy is sourced from the closest available yard rather than shipped needlessly across the world. That keeps both the price and the delivery lead time down.
Construction follows the standards the industry expects. The primary structure is Corten (COR-TEN A) weathering steel, 2mm corrugated panels, with 28mm marine-grade plywood on steel cross members and certification covering ISO 668, ISO 1496-1, CSC safety approval plate. The unit measures approximately 12.19 x 2.44 x 2.59 m externally and 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m internally, with a door aperture of 2.34 x 2.28 m, a tare weight of around 3,750 kg and a maximum payload of 28,750 kg, giving roughly 67.7 m³ of usable volume.
Bought in volume by exporters, distribution centres, grain stores, container conversion specialists and any operation moving large volumes of dry cargo. In practice most buyers arrive at this specification after comparing it against the alternatives in the Standard Shipping Containers for Sale range, and the decision usually comes down to access, payload and how the unit will be handled once it is on site.
The commercial case is straightforward. A steel container is one of the few assets that holds value: buy well, look after it, and you can expect a strong resale figure years later. Buying a 40ft Shipping Container for Sale outright almost always beats long-term hire once the rental period passes twelve to eighteen months, and ownership removes the off-hire inspection charges and damage disputes that come with rented equipment.
Our sales team works with freight forwarders, importers, exporters, contractors and private buyers every day and will tell you honestly if a different specification suits your job better. Send us the cargo or the application, the site address and any access constraints, and we will come back with a fully landed price, the condition grade options available, and a realistic delivery date.
Buying guide
Use this guide before you order the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale — it covers grade, certification, inspection and delivery so the unit you buy matches the job it is bought for.
New vs used options
New or one-trip units have made a single laden voyage from the factory and are visually near-perfect, with clean paint, tight seals and a full service life ahead. They cost more but need no remedial work and photograph well for customer-facing installations. Used stock is graded as cargo-worthy or wind-and-watertight. Cargo-worthy units carry valid CSC certification and can still be shipped internationally; wind-and-watertight units are structurally sound and dry but are sold for static use. Surface rust and repairs are normal at this grade and are documented before purchase.
Delivery requirements
Most units are delivered by tilt-bed or HIAB vehicle. You need firm, level ground, roughly twice the container length of clear approach space, and no overhead cables. Where access is restricted we arrange crane offload or split delivery to a nearby transfer point.
Site preparation
Place the container on a firm base such as concrete pads, railway sleepers or compacted hardcore under each corner casting. A level base is essential: a twisted frame makes the doors bind and voids most weathertight expectations.
Customisation options
Common modifications include personnel doors, windows, insulation, lining, electrics, shelving, ventilation, extra vents, partitions, ramps, security shutters and bespoke paint schemes. Specify these at order stage so the work is completed before delivery.
Maintenance
Maintenance is straightforward: keep door hinges and locking bars greased, clear roof debris, treat surface rust as it appears, and check the floor and door seals annually. Well-maintained steel containers routinely give twenty-five years of service.
Full specification
Full published specification for the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale. Dimensions, payload and build details are confirmed in writing for the exact unit before dispatch.
- Container type
- 40ft Shipping Container
- Available sizes
- 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, 45ft subject to type and stock
- External dimensions (L x W x H)
- 12.19 x 2.44 x 2.59 m
- Internal dimensions (L x W x H)
- 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m
- Door opening (W x H)
- 2.34 x 2.28 m
- Tare weight
- 3,750 kg
- Maximum payload
- 28,750 kg
- Internal volume
- 67.7 m³
- Materials
- Corten (COR-TEN A) weathering steel, 2mm corrugated panels
- Flooring
- 28mm marine-grade plywood on steel cross members
- Certification
- ISO 668, ISO 1496-1, CSC safety approval plate
- Optional modifications
- Personnel doors, windows, insulation, lining, electrics, racking, ventilation, ramps, security shutters, bespoke paint and branding
40ft Shipping Container for Sale — questions
The questions buyers ask most often about the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale. Select a question to read the answer.
How much does a 40ft Shipping Container for Sale cost?
+
Pricing for a 40ft Shipping Container for Sale depends on condition grade, specification, current stock location and delivery distance. Standard-specification units are the most competitively priced because we hold volume; specialist and modified builds are quoted individually. Send us your postcode or port and we will return a fully landed price, usually within one working day.
Is the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale available new and used?
+
Yes. We supply new one-trip units for customers who need pristine condition, and inspected used units in cargo-worthy or wind-and-watertight grades where budget matters more than cosmetics. Every used unit is photographed and condition-noted before you commit.
Can you deliver a 40ft Shipping Container for Sale internationally?
+
We ship worldwide from depots across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Delivery can be arranged door to door, to your nominated port, or ex-depot for your own collection, and we handle export documentation where required.
Can the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale be modified before delivery?
+
Yes. Our workshops fit doors, windows, insulation, lining, electrics, ventilation, racking, partitions and security hardware, and apply bespoke paint and branding. Agreeing modifications at order stage is faster and cheaper than retrofitting after delivery.
Can I inspect the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale before buying?
+
Depot inspections can be arranged for most locations by appointment. Where travel is impractical we supply a detailed photograph set covering the exterior, doors, interior, floor and any noted repairs so you can assess condition remotely.
40ft Shipping Container for Sale: What payment terms do you offer?
+
We accept bank transfer and, for established business accounts, agreed credit terms. For international orders we can work against letter of credit or staged payment linked to shipment milestones. Full details are set out in your quotation.
Related containers for sale
Other units from the same range that buyers compare with the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale.
Same working day
Quote the 40ft Shipping Container for Sale
Send the destination and quantity — we confirm grade, certification and a delivered price, with photographs of the actual unit before you commit.