If you are looking at a shipping container for sale, the first decision is almost always the same: a 20ft box or a 40ft one? The longer container gives you twice the floor, but it is not twice the price, and a High Cube version adds another 30 cm of height on top. This guide compares the dimensions, volume, weight and current prices of the containers we sell, so you can buy a shipping container that fits both your goods and your budget.
The four types in plain terms
Container names combine a length in feet with a height code:
- 20DC – 20ft Dry Container, roughly 6 m long and 2.6 m high. The classic general-purpose box.
- 20HC – 20ft High Cube, the same length but about 2.9 m high.
- 40DC – 40ft Dry Container, roughly 12 m long and 2.6 m high.
- 40HC – 40ft High Cube, 12 m long and about 2.9 m high. The most common choice for bulky goods.
All of them are 2.4 m wide, have double-leaf end doors and are made of a welded steel frame with profiled steel sheet walls. They are not insulated, so think of them as dry, lockable storage rather than a heated room.
20ft vs 40ft: dimensions, capacity and price
The table below uses the figures from our product listings. Prices are in euro, excluding VAT, and do not include transport or unloading, which are quoted separately for your delivery address.
| Container | Dimensions (w × l × h) | Door opening (w × h) | Volume | Tare weight | Load capacity | Price excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20DC used | 2.4 × 6 × 2.6 m | 2.3 × 2.3 m | 33.1 m³ | 2,200 kg | 28,200 kg | €1,890 |
| 20DC new | 2.4 × 6 × 2.6 m | 2.3 × 2.3 m | 33.1 m³ | 2,200 kg | 28,200 kg | €2,750 |
| 20HC new | 2.4 × 6 × 2.9 m | 2.3 × 2.5 m | 37.3 m³ | 2,420 kg | 28,200 kg | €3,300 |
| 40DC used | 2.4 × 12 × 2.6 m | 2.3 × 2.3 m | 67.5 m³ | 3,750 kg | 28,750 kg | €2,190 |
| 40HC used | 2.4 × 12 × 2.9 m | 2.3 × 2.5 m | 76.4 m³ | 4,000 kg | 28,500 kg | €1,990 |
| 40HC new | 2.4 × 12 × 2.9 m | 2.3 × 2.5 m | 76.4 m³ | 4,000 kg | 28,500 kg | €3,150 |
New containers are available in seven RAL colours: white, grey, beige, anthracite, blue, dark green and dark red. Used containers are supplied in their existing colour.
What you really pay per cubic metre
Headline prices hide the most useful number: how much storage space each euro buys. Dividing the price by the volume gives a clear picture:
| Container | Price excl. VAT | Volume | Price per m³ | Footprint | Price per m² of footprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20DC used | €1,890 | 33.1 m³ | €57 | 14.4 m² | €131 |
| 20DC new | €2,750 | 33.1 m³ | €83 | 14.4 m² | €191 |
| 20HC new | €3,300 | 37.3 m³ | €88 | 14.4 m² | €229 |
| 40DC used | €2,190 | 67.5 m³ | €32 | 28.8 m² | €76 |
| 40HC used | €1,990 | 76.4 m³ | €26 | 28.8 m² | €69 |
| 40HC new | €3,150 | 76.4 m³ | €41 | 28.8 m² | €109 |
Three conclusions follow from these numbers:
- The 40ft container is the cheaper way to store volume. A used 40HC costs about €26 per m³, less than half the €57 of a used 20ft box.
- A new 40HC costs less than a new 20HC. At current prices the 12 m High Cube is €150 cheaper than the 6 m one, while offering roughly twice the volume.
- Used High Cube beats used standard height. The used 40HC is €200 cheaper than the used 40DC and has 8.9 m³ more space.
When a 20ft container is the better choice
Lower cost per m³ does not make the 40ft box right for everyone. A 20ft container makes more sense when:
- Space on site is limited. A 6 m container fits beside a house, a workshop or on a small yard where a 12 m one would block access.
- You do not need the volume. 33 m³ holds the contents of a typical garage, tools and materials for a building site, or garden machinery. Paying for space you never fill is not a saving.
- The ground or access is tight. A 40ft container weighs around 4 tonnes empty and needs a longer vehicle and more manoeuvring room for delivery. Check the route to the final position before you order.
- You plan to move it again. A smaller, lighter box is easier to relocate later.
Browse the full range of 20ft shipping containers if this sounds like your situation.
When a 40ft container pays off
- Pallets and bulky goods. 12 m of length takes long items such as timber, pipes or profiles, and gives room for racking along both walls.
- Forklift handling. If you need access along the side as well as the ends, our 40HC side-door containers have two or four sets of double side doors (from €6,490 excl. VAT, new).
- Machinery and vehicles. The High Cube door opening is 2.3 m wide and 2.5 m high, which matters for anything tall.
- Workshops and conversions. The extra 30 cm of a High Cube makes a big difference once you add shelving, lights or a raised floor.
See all 40ft shipping containers, including the side-door models.
New or used: what changes
Our used containers are listed as fully functional, waterproof and lockable. Expect signs of previous use such as dents, scratches or surface rust; the structure and the seal are what count. A new container has no wear, comes in the colour you choose and is the better base if appearance matters or you plan to convert it. Interestingly, the price gap is much smaller on 40ft containers (€1,160 between used and new 40HC) than the volume difference suggests, so a new 40HC is often worth a second look.
Two containers or one? Add a roof between them
A popular alternative to one large container is two containers placed side by side with a covered space between them. This creates a sheltered working area for vehicles or materials, with lockable storage on both sides. Our container shelter sets are made for 6 m and 12 m long containers, and you can add shelving, vents and other items from the container accessories range.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 40ft shipping container cost?
In our shop a used 40HC currently costs €1,990 excl. VAT, a used 40DC €2,190 and a new 40HC €3,150. A new 40HC with side doors starts at €6,490. Transport and unloading are quoted separately according to the delivery address.
What is the difference between a standard and a High Cube container?
A High Cube is about 30 cm taller: roughly 2.9 m instead of 2.6 m. In a 40ft container that means 76.4 m³ instead of 67.5 m³, and the door opening rises from 2.3 m to 2.5 m.
How heavy is a 20ft and a 40ft container?
An empty 20DC weighs about 2,200 kg and a 20HC about 2,420 kg. A 40DC weighs about 3,750 kg and a 40HC about 4,000 kg. Plan the delivery vehicle, unloading and the base the container will stand on accordingly.
Is delivery included in the price?
No. The container price covers the container only. Delivery, with or without unloading, is calculated individually for your address, so ask for a quote before you order.
