Question 1

How much does a shipping container cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

A used 20ft Wind & Water Tight (WWT) container typically costs $1,850-$2,400 depending on depot and delivery distance. A new one-trip 40ft high cube runs $4,900-$6,200. Refrigerated (reefer) units cost 3-4× the equivalent dry container. Request a live quote at your delivery address for exact pricing.

Question 2

What container sizes do you sell?

Accepted Answer

We stock 20ft standard, 20ft high cube, 40ft standard, 40ft high cube, and 45ft high cube dry containers, plus 20ft and 40ft refrigerated (reefer), open-top, flat-rack, and double-door units. Custom sizes (8ft, 10ft, 24ft) are available as modifications from a standard shipping-line unit.

Question 3

What's the difference between New, One-Trip, Cargo Worthy, and WWT?

Accepted Answer

New / One-Trip units have made one laden voyage from the factory - effectively new. Cargo Worthy (CW) has a valid marine survey and can be shipped internationally. Wind & Water Tight (WWT) is storage-grade - no leaks, no light penetration - but not certified for shipping. As-Is is sold for buyers who plan to modify or scrap.

Question 4

Do you sell single containers or only bulk?

Accepted Answer

Both. We ship single units to individual buyers and fleet orders of 100+ to enterprise logistics customers. Wholesale pricing kicks in at 10+ units per order.

Question 5

Can I inspect a container before buying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can visit any of our four depots (California, Marseille, Piraeus, Perth), send an independent surveyor, or request a live video inspection with the doors open toward the sun. Inspections are always free.

Question 6

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Use the quote button on any inventory page, or contact sales@vantacontainers.com with your delivery ZIP/postcode, container size, condition grade, and target delivery date. Quotes are typically returned within 4 working hours.

Question 7

Do you deliver worldwide?

Accepted Answer

Yes - we ship to over 120 countries via our partner ocean carriers, with door-to-door coordination and full customs documentation included in the quoted price.

Question 8

How long does delivery take?

Accepted Answer

Local delivery in a metro area is typically 3-7 business days from order to drop. International ocean freight ranges from 2-6 weeks port-to-port depending on origin, destination, and current routings, plus 1 week for destination customs clearance.

Question 9

What truck access do I need at my delivery site?

Accepted Answer

A 20ft container arrives on a tilt-bed truck about 60 feet long. A 40ft arrives on a step-deck or extendable trailer 75+ feet long. Both need a straight approach the length of the truck plus room to turn around, and 16 feet of overhead clearance for tilt delivery.

Question 10

How much does delivery cost?

Accepted Answer

Local metro delivery runs $350-$750 for a 20ft and $450-$950 for a 40ft. Long-haul deliveries are quoted per loaded mile plus fuel surcharge. International freight is quoted door-to-door based on origin, destination, and container type.

Question 11

What if my site can't accept a truck?

Accepted Answer

For sites with restricted access, we can arrange crane delivery (a crane truck lifts the container over obstacles) for an additional $600-$1,500. In extreme cases we can drop at a nearby depot for you to arrange final placement.

Question 12

Do I need a foundation?

Accepted Answer

For temporary placement under 12 months, four pressure-treated 6×6 timber sleepers under the corner castings are sufficient (six sleepers for a 40ft). For permanent placement, use concrete piers or a poured pad. Do not place a container directly on grass or bare soil.

Question 13

What modifications do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Doors, windows, vents, roll-up doors, insulation, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, interior finishes, container offices, workshops, container homes, container cafés, and custom multi-container structures. Full CAD design and engineering are available for complex builds.

Question 14

How much does it cost to modify a container?

Accepted Answer

Basic mods (a door, a vent, a roll-up): $800-$3,500. Standard conversions (office, workshop): $8,000-$35,000. Complex builds (café, medical clinic, container home): $40,000-$180,000+. Every quote is fixed-price against a written scope of work.

Question 15

Do I need a permit for a modified container?

Accepted Answer

Basic storage modifications usually don't require a permit. Occupied structures - offices, cafés, homes - almost always do, and requirements vary by jurisdiction. We support permitting on turnkey builds.

Question 16

Can you modify a container I already own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ship the container to our nearest modification facility (California, Marseille, or Perth) and we'll quote against your scope. Turnaround is typically 4-12 weeks depending on complexity.

Question 17

How long does a modification take?

Accepted Answer

Basic mods: 1-3 days. Standard office conversions: 4-8 weeks. Complex builds: 12-24 weeks including permitting support.

Question 18

What temperature range does a reefer maintain?

Accepted Answer

Modern reefers hold a set-point between -30°C and +30°C, accurate to ±0.5°C. Controlled Atmosphere (CA) reefers add nitrogen/CO2 injection for produce that continues ripening in transit.

Question 19

How much power does a reefer consume?

Accepted Answer

A 40ft reefer draws 4-7 kWh per hour depending on set-point and ambient temperature. It requires 380-480V three-phase power on ship, in port, and via genset on the road.

Question 20

Do you rent reefer containers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reefer rental runs $85-$140/day plus power consumption, with a 3-month minimum term. Long-term contracts of 12-36 months are available at 15-30% lower monthly rates.

Question 21

Can I use a reefer for storage rather than shipping?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Reefer storage is common for restaurants, floral wholesalers, pharma distributors, and event caterers. Budget $850-$1,400/month depending on set-point and power costs.

Question 22

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Bank wire (ACH, SEPA, SWIFT), credit card up to $25,000 per transaction, and net-30 terms for approved enterprise accounts. Cryptocurrency is not accepted.

Question 23

Do you require a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Standard orders require 50% deposit at order confirmation and 50% before dispatch. Enterprise accounts with net-30 terms invoice against delivery. Bulk orders of 25+ units may qualify for staged payment schedules.

Question 24

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Full refunds are available if the container is significantly different from the specified grade and this is documented in the delivery condition report. Change-of-mind refunds after delivery incur a restocking fee of 15% plus return trucking. See the Returns page for full terms.

Question 25

Can I set up a corporate account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Corporate accounts with net-30 terms are available for businesses with 12+ months of trading history and reference-checkable financials. Contact sales@vantacontainers.com to start.

Question 26

What warranty comes with a container?

Accepted Answer

New/One-Trip containers carry a 12-month structural warranty covering welds, corner castings, and door operation. Used containers are sold with the grade guarantee (CW, WWT, or As-Is) verified at the delivery condition report - grade misrepresentation is refundable, wear-and-tear damage is not.

Question 27

How do I file a warranty claim?

Accepted Answer

Email sales@vantacontainers.com with photos, your order number, and a description of the defect within 48 hours of delivery for grade-related issues, or anytime within the warranty period for structural defects on new units.

Question 28

Do you certify CSC and IICL inspections?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every Cargo Worthy container ships with a valid CSC plate and IICL-6 marine survey. Certification cost is included in the container price for CW-grade units.

Question 29

Do you handle customs clearance?

Accepted Answer

Yes for door-to-door international quotes - we manage export documentation at origin and coordinate a licensed customs broker at destination. Duties and taxes are billed at cost against the destination country's tariff.

Question 30

Which countries do you not ship to?

Accepted Answer

We do not currently ship to jurisdictions under active OFAC or EU sanctions. All other countries are supported subject to standard export controls.

Question 31

Do prices include import duty and VAT?

Accepted Answer

No. Container prices are quoted ex-works (from depot). International quotes include ocean freight and local trucking; import duty, VAT/GST, and destination handling are billed separately at the destination country's published rates.

Question 32

Do you provide a Certificate of Origin?

Accepted Answer

Yes - Certificates of Origin, Bills of Lading, and Commercial Invoices are provided for every international shipment at no extra charge.

Frequently asked questions

Buying containers

Delivery & logistics

Modifications & conversions

Refrigerated (reefer) containers

Payments, invoicing & terms

Warranty & quality

International & cross-border

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