Our most popular size. New and used 40ft (12 metre) shipping containers sourced directly from global shipping lines, with delivery to all 50 states.
The 40ft shipping container is the workhorse of the intermodal freight industry. Originally built to move cargo across oceans, these steel boxes have become the go-to storage solution for businesses, farms, construction crews, and homeowners across the country. When you buy a 40ft container, you get double the floor area of a 20ft unit at well under double the price — making it the most cost-effective storage footprint available.
We have 40 ft shipping containers for sale in every condition grade, from pristine one-trip units to budget-friendly wind and watertight boxes. Each container is sourced directly from major shipping lines at our Portland depot, inspected by our team, and documented with photos before sale. Whether you need secure commercial storage, a weatherproof equipment lockup for a construction site, or the starting shell for a container home build, the 40ft delivers.
Common uses span every sector: retail inventory warehousing, agricultural grain and feed storage, job site tool cribs, pop-up retail, and full residential conversions. The 14-gauge corten steel walls resist corrosion for decades, and the marine-grade plywood floor handles forklift traffic without complaint. It is, by every measure, the most versatile storage asset you can own.
If you have searched for a 12 metre shipping container, you are looking at the same unit the industry calls a 40-footer. The external length measures 12.19 metres, built to the ISO 668 standard that governs intermodal container dimensions worldwide. Every 12 metre container we sell carries a valid CSC plate confirming it was manufactured and tested to international safety standards.
These containers begin their lives overseas, welded from weatherproof corten steel panels, fitted with hardwood floors, and loaded with a single export cargo bound for the United States. Once that first voyage is complete, they enter the domestic market as “one-trip” units in near-new condition. Older containers retired from active shipping service are graded as cargo worthy or wind and watertight depending on structural condition. Regardless of grade, every 12 metre container we stock is sealed against rain, wind, and dust — ready for immediate use on delivery.
We photograph every container before sale so you know exactly what you’re getting.
The 40ft high cube stands 9 feet 6 inches tall — a full foot above the standard container height. That additional 12 inches translates to roughly 344 extra cubic feet of usable volume, and it makes a dramatic difference in livability and functionality.
For container home builds, the high cube is the preferred choice. Standard ceiling framing, insulation, and interior finishing consume several inches of headroom, and starting with 9’6” means you finish with a comfortable living space rather than a cramped one. The same logic applies to office conversions, workshops, and retail fit-outs where overhead lighting, ductwork, or shelving demands vertical clearance.
Commercial buyers storing tall freight, palletised goods, or racked inventory consistently choose the high cube for its stacking efficiency. The high cube is the preferred choice for container home builds and commercial modifications — and it accounts for the majority of our 40ft sales.
Get High Cube PricingWith 320 square feet of weatherproof, rodent-proof floor space, a 40ft container replaces expensive warehouse leases overnight. Ideal for retail inventory overflow, equipment staging, document archives, and seasonal stock. The double cargo doors and forklift pockets make loading and retrieval fast and practical.
The 40ft high cube is the preferred starting point for residential and commercial conversions. Its generous footprint accommodates a studio apartment, one-bedroom layout, or open-plan office with room to spare. Corten steel provides a durable structural shell, and the standard width fits on most flatbed trailers for delivery to remote sites.
Job site storage, grain and feed lockup, equipment security — the 40ft container handles harsh conditions without flinching. Corten steel resists corrosion in coastal, desert, and high-humidity environments. Lock it, leave it, and trust that your tools, materials, and machinery stay dry and secure between shifts or seasons.
Expect to pay between $2,500 and $6,500 depending on condition. Wind and watertight (WWT) units start around $2,500, cargo worthy containers range from $3,000 to $4,500, and one-trip (new) units typically cost between $5,000 and $6,500. Delivery fees vary based on distance from our Portland depot. Request a personalized quote for exact pricing.
Yes, a 12 metre container is the metric equivalent of a standard 40ft ISO container. The exact external length is 12.19 metres (40 feet). Both terms refer to the same standardized intermodal shipping container used worldwide. You may also see it listed as a 12m container in international listings.
A high cube is 9ft 6in tall instead of the standard 8ft 6in, providing approximately 344 cubic feet of extra volume. The additional headroom makes high cube containers the preferred choice for container home conversions, office builds, and storing tall equipment or racked goods. Everything else — length, width, door configuration, and structural rating — remains identical to the standard height version.
Our most popular size ships from Portland to anywhere in the US. Tell us your preferred condition and delivery address — we respond within 24 hours.