Housing affordability is a real issue in Australia. The price of homes just keeps on climbing, leading many people to look at alternative and often less traditional dwellings. The shipping…
40ft Shipping Container: Dimensions, Cost, and Common Uses (AU)
The largest standard shipping container available, 40ft containers offer more length and more volume, while remaining versatile, secure and customisable.
Find Your Perfect ContainerNew & Used Options Available
Features + specs
Spacious, tough and customisable
40ft shipping container dimensions
12.19m (40ft) (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.59m (H), 67.7m³ of internal space.
40ft shipping container durability
- Waterproof and weatherproof steel construction.
- Choose any container grade – new, used, as-is – from vetted suppliers.
40ft shipping container extras
Our modification partners can customise your container your way.
Use Cases
What can a 40ft container be used for?
1. Commercial and private transport
Why:
The transport industry standard, 40-foot containers can ship goods globally or help big families move house.
Customisation:
Once you’ve moved, you can use your container as storage or a working/living space.
2. Construction site storage
Why:
A large , strong, secure and portable space for storing tools, machinery and materials.
Customisation:
Add ventilation, insulation and windows to create a temporary, roomy site office.
3. Tiny homes and granny flats
Why:
With 30m² of floorspace, 40ft containers form the ideal basis for a modular living space.
Customisation:
Join multiple containers together, and add insulation, windows, plumbing and solar.
4. Personal and farm storage
Why:
A strong, secure and portable space for storing valuable items on your property.
Customisation:
Add windows, ventilation and flooring to create a usable work or personal space.
5. Retail and pop-up shops
Why:
A low-cost way to create usable floorspace for cafes, retailers, boutiques and event stalls.
Customisation:
Brand the container and easily transport it to events, markets or a permanent commercial site.
New or used
New vs used: which container is right for you?
3,000+ Satisfied Clients
best for business
New 40ft shipping container
Single-trip containers in as-new condition.
Ideal for long-term use or prominent, high visibility locations.
Available in multiple colours and fully customisable.
Can be supplied complete with factory lockbox and vents.
Budget pick
Used 40ft shipping container
Choose your rating: As-is/project-grade, wind & watertight (WWT) or CSC-plated/cargo-worthy.
Ideal for budget storage and remote/low visibility sites.
May have cosmetic wear and (protective) external rust.
Limited colours, but cost-effective and fully customisable.
3,000+ Satisfied Clients
About 40ft shipping containers
The global transport standard – and so much more
When you see a ship stacked high with containers, you’ll usually be looking at the 40ft variety (TEU), along with the half-sized 20ft type (FEU). The global standard since the 70s, robust 40ft shipping containers are narrow enough to be transported by road or rail, and long enough to hold a significant amount of goods.
This combination of strength, size and portability give 40ft shipping containers incredible functionality and adaptability. They can be used as storage, work and living spaces, and can be customised and converted in all manner of ways.
Why choose a 40ft container?
- Strong and protective: Built from corten steel with a weather-resistant, sealed construction, plus optional lockboxes and vents.
- Easy to modify: Add insulation, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical to turn it into a living/working space.
- Available across Australia: Connect with vetted local suppliers across the country, and get a 40ft container delivered to your door.
- Compact yet spacious: You instantly add 30m² of usable floorspace on site, in a driveway or outside your shop.
Got questions? Let’s chat.
Hello! I’m Sophie – Container Specialist, how can I help you?
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Blog
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FAQs
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers
All you need to know about 40ft shipping containers.
01
Pricing for 40ft containers varies based on type, condition, modifications and availability. You can generally secure an as-new general purpose 40ft shipping container in the mid-to-high thousands, while high quality used 40ft containers are typically in the mid-to-low range. Special containers – high cube, side opener, dangerous goods – tend to be a little more expensive. As an independent platform, we provide up-to-date market context and connect you with vetted local suppliers who offer transparent, competitive quotes tailored to your specific project budget.
02
40ft shipping containers can hold approximately 20 standard Australian pallets (single stacked). But it’s important to note that the Australia standard pallet is slightly different to the international standard, sometimes referred to as a euro pallet. Australian pallets are 1165mm square, while the euro is 1200mm wide and 800mm or 1000mm deep. This means that you can fit slightly more euro pallets in a 40ft container: up to 21x of the 1200x1000mm size, or 23-24 of the 1200x800mm size.
03
A standard 40ft shipping container has a tare (empty) weight of approximately 3750kg, which can rise to over 30,000kg when full of goods. The weight of the container means that you may need to pour a concrete slab, depending on the ground you plan to place it on. A hard substrate like granite will generally be able to handle the load, but softer or marshy soil may require reinforcement.
04
The volume of a 40ft container is approximately 76m3. High cube containers are the same length and width as a general purpose 40ft shipping container, but they are approximately 30cm taller, making them 2.89m high. The increased internal volume makes high cube containers a great option for transporting bulkier goods. If you plan to convert the container into a working or living space, they also offer a beautiful high ceiling that can make the container feel more spacious.
05
Not only is it possible to customise a shipping container, these simple metal boxes are perfect for modification. Storage, site offices, pop-up retail spaces, workshops, garages, garden sheds, galleries, tiny homes; if you can think of a use, there’s probably a way to make it happen. In fact, someone has probably already done it. And our modification partners are ready to help bring your container dreams to life. If your cargo needs a purpose-built solution rather than a modification, see our specialised container range.
06
As a container platform, we connect you with vetted local suppliers. Some exclusively sell containers, others also offer leasing and rental services. Renting can make sense for short-term use, while purchasing may be more suitable for longer-term or customised projects. Because pricing and availability vary by region and supplier, we recommend submitting your requirements to receive options tailored to your situation.