Containers have become an easily available and have proven to have more than one use. For anyone looking to buy a container will have to face the predicament of having to decide whether to buy a new container or a used one.

When you are choosing between a new or used shipping container you need to look at what the purpose of the container will be, however deciding on whether to buy a new container or a used one will usually become decided by:

  • The budget of the container buyer,
  • Availability of the container,
  • What the container will be used for
20ft Shipping Container New Zealand high cube
40ft high cube Shipping Container New Zealand

Buying a NEW Shipping Container

When buying a new container, it is advisable for you to do your research and identify what type of a container will best meet your needs.  There are a wide range of container brands, material and designs available in the market.

A new container would be perfect for anyone looking to convert the container into a home or an office space, and often a better fit that a used container, as they are more structurally sound.

Here are the pros of buying a new container:

  • Quality – a new container will have no major damage to the interior or exterior of the container.
  • No repair cost – a new container won’t need you to spend more money to pay for repairs and the maintenance fee is minimal.
  • Shipping your items in a new container give you a peace of mind, in that you don’t have to worry about whether the container might have been used to ship toxic chemicals before.
  • You can easily customize the design of the container when it is being built which will save you a lot of time once it arrives.
  • Durability – a new container can provide better service for a long period of time as compared to used container.
  • Dependability – a new container will provide you will a greater level of dependability. With a new container, you can be sure your items will stay as packed and no moisture will contaminate them.

Buying a USED Shipping Container

Buying a used container can be a cheaper alternative to buying a new container. When buying a used container there are three main factors to consider:

  • Ensure the container is in good shape structurally.
  • Check whether door hinges work correctly.
  • Ensure the container is watertight.
  • The door locking bar handles should be functioning.
  • It is advisable for you to find a container with wooden floor fully intact.
  • Assess the damage or dents to the container and the cost of maintenance.

Used containers are commonly used by people looking for alternative storage solutions

Why should you buy a used container?

  • Cheap – buying a used container is relatively cheap compared to the cost of buying a new container.
  • It is easy to find a used container. There are thousands of containers at the ports available for sale hence any interested buyer is free to buy.
  • There is a large variety of used container for potential buyer to choose from. Buyer can choose the container that best meets the needs.
  • A used container has a proven record of accomplishment of delivering goods in good condition over a long distance by land, sea, or train.

Used containers are mainly grades in terms of their structural conditions from well-maintained containers all the way up to the poorly maintained containers. The price of the used containers varies also as per its condition.

We highly recommend to anyone looking to buy a used container to make a point of inspecting the container in person to avoid getting scammed by paying a lot of money for a damaged container.