Side opening shipping containers provide full-length access, making loading and unloading faster and more efficient than standard containers.
They are ideal for long, bulky or frequently accessed cargo, as well as container conversions such as shops, galleries and workshops.
Available in 20ft and 40ft, with both standard and high cube options, they offer generous internal space and easy access.
Reinforced side rails and durable flooring maintain structural strength despite the full side opening.
Although they cost more than standard containers, side opening containers can improve workflow and reduce handling time.
Side opening shipping containers do exactly what they say on the packet.
Standard containers open at the end, which can make loading and unloading tricky and time-consuming. If the item you need is right at the other end, you may need to unload the entire container to get to it.
That’s where side openers come in. They grant you access to the container via doors on the long side wall, making it a breeze to load and unload cargo – and opening up a wealth of unique container conversion opportunities, from sunrooms to sales kiosks.
In this guide we’ll tell you all you need to know about side opening shipping containers: what they are, what you can use them for, and how to choose the right one.
In certain situations, standard shipping containers present a problem: they are long and narrow, and the first items to go in are the last items to come out. Items at the end can be all but inaccessible – you may need to remove every pallet in order to get to the goods you need.
Side opening shipping containers essentially switch those dimensions: from long and narrow to wide and shallow. Instead of pallets being stored two wide and ten deep, they can be stored ten wide and two deep, which makes access so much quicker and simpler.
The full-length bifold doors also mean that side door shipping containers are ideal for storing long cargo like timber, pipes and machinery, which can be tricky (sometimes impossible) to load via the end doors of a standard container. But if you do want to use the end doors, no problem – side openers come with those too.
The ultimate pop-up store
Side opening shipping containers aren’t just useful for storage – they also form an ideal basis for a range of container conversion projects.
Perhaps the most popular conversion is for retail spaces like pop-up shops, bars and kiosks. The open side can act as a serving counter, or you can split the container in two, with seating on one side and the counter on the other, to give customers a place to eat, drink or browse your products.
With the doors already built-in, minimal structural modifications are required. And because side openers are designed to be secure and weatherproof, you can protect your items from theft and rain by simply closing the side doors at the end of the workday.
Other conversion projects that side door shipping containers are perfect for include:
Art Exhibition Gmunden.Photo 2021. Photography by Faruk Pinjo, 2021.
Structural considerations and sizes
The most common size for side opening shipping containers is 20ft, which refers to the unit’s 6.06m external length. 40ft (12.19m) side openers are also available (but rarer), and sometimes come with a succession of small side openings, rather than a single large one, which may make it tricky to load long items. High cube (HC) variations of both sizes are also available.
Container type
Internal dimensions (mm, LxWxH)
External dimensions (mm, LxWxH)
Front door opening (mm, WxH)
Side door opening (mm, WxH)
Internal Volume (m³)
20ft side opening
5,898 x 2,352 x 2,390
6,058 x 2,438 x 2,591
2,338 x 2,280
5,820 x 2,280
33.1
20ft high cube side opening
5,898 x 2,352 x 2,690
6,058 x 2,438 x 2,896
2,338 x 2,585
5,820 x 2,585
37.4
40ft side opening
12,032 x 2,352 x 2,395
12,192 x 2,438 x 2,591
2,340 x 2,280
11,800 x 2,280
67.7
40ft high cube side opening
12,032 x 2,352 x 2,698
12,192 x 2,438 x 2,896
2,340 x 2,585
11,800 x 2,585
76.4
Side-openers feature a reinforced top rail and base to compensate for the lack of side wall. And all come with standard marine-grade plywood or bamboo flooring that is more than capable of handling forklift or foot traffic.
Maximise efficiency and functionality
Whether you’re looking for a smarter way to store high-turnover inventory, or you want to create an open and adaptable living or working space, side opener shipping containers offer unmatched adaptability.
While they’re slightly more expensive to buy than a standard container, that larger investment can quickly be paid back, whether through greater operational efficiency or by minimising the amount of structural changes you need to make to the container.
At Shipping-containers.com.au we’re a 100% independent platform here to guide you to the perfect side door container for your situation. We understand your needs, talk you through your options, then connect you with local, vetted suppliers who can deliver.
Andreas Atrott is the founder of shipping-containers.com.au, operated by Containerbase Pty Ltd (Hemmant, Queensland, Australia). He combines long-standing industry expertise with a hands-on approach to container sales, modifications, and custom solutions. He also conducts applied field research on the thermal and humidity behaviour of shipping containers in subtropical climates, publishing open datasets and reports under the Container Performance Research Series. His research dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21466036 (ORCID: 0009-0007-9305-8058). His goal is to make buying and using shipping containers straightforward, reliable, and tailored to customer needs.
Living in a converted shipping container means making smart choices about what you keep. The tiny house movement and digital nomads embrace minimalism as a practical lifestyle. If you live...
Shipping containers travel all around the globe, enduring rough seas and high waves. To prevent cargo from shifting and getting damaged during turbulent conditions, it must be properly positioned and secured inside the container. In this section, we explain how to do it - and why incorrect loading can even pose a risk to the entire ship.
A typical shipping container is "in service" for about 20 years - during each trip around the globe, a standard ISO container can carry around 20 tonnes of cargo. Some types of freight leave residue or odors behind. Learn when cleaning is necessary, what hygiene standards apply, and how to properly clean a used shipping container.
July 3, 2025
About Us
At shipping.containers.au we believe in making shipping container buying simple, transparent, and stress-free. Our experts inspect every unit, offer honest advice, and handle delivery so you can focus on your project—not the paperwork.
Got questions? Let’s chat.
Our team’s here to make container buying simple.
Talk to a real expert, get advice, and find your perfect fit – fast.
Hello! I’m Sophie - Container Specialist, how can I help you?
Shipping Container Granny Flats: A Cost-Effective Housing Solution?
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…
Dangerous Goods Containers: Rules and Regulations in Australia
Any Australian business that deals in hazardous substances knows exactly how seriously authorities take regulatory compliance – and the severe penalties of non-compliance. On-site storage is a key consideration, which…
Joining Two Shipping Containers: Structure, No-Weld Assembly and Cost Guide
Two used 20ft containers, side walls out, coupled into one room just under 5 metres wide. Sounds simple. In practice there is one thing standing between you and a clean…
Start your container journey today
