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…
Types of Shipping Containers
Compact or large, general purpose or specialised, standard or customised – no matter your needs or preferences, there’s a shipping container to suit.
12+ years on the market
3,000+ Satisfied Clients
Features + Specs
Choose a container to suit your needs
Shipping container dimensions
Shipping container durability
- Waterproof and weatherproof steel construction, new or used.
- Choose any container grade – new, used, as-is – from vetted suppliers.
Shipping container extras
- Order your container with ventilation, lockboxes or secure floors.
- Our modification partners can customise your container your way.
Use Cases
What can a shipping container be used for?
1. Construction site storage
Why:
A strong, secure and portable space for storing tools, machinery and materials.
Customisation:
Can be used as a temporary site office by adding ventilation, insulation and windows.
2. Workshops and studios
Why:
An affordable art studio, mobile workstation or space for your DIY projects.
Customisation:
Make the space more comfortable and usable with electrical fit-outs, lighting and shelving.
3. Tiny homes and granny flats
Why:
An ideal basis for a modular living space, particularly in rural and off-grid areas.
Customisation:
Add insulation, windows, plumbing and solar to create a livable, comfortable space.
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 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 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
What are the different types of shipping containers?
A container for every situation
As the primary means of transport for goods across the globe, shipping containers need to be able to handle goods of all shapes and sizes, as well as all manner of shipping requirements, including refrigerated and dangerous goods. So, while basic 20ft and 40ft units are the standard, a wealth of different types of shipping containers are available.
Sizes range from compact 8ft units to sprawling 48ft containers. High cube containers are 305mm taller than standard, while pallet-wide containers allow you to fit more goods in. Side opening and dangerous goods containers are built for specific purposes. And no matter which type of shipping container you choose, it can be customised based on your unique needs.
We cover the full range on our specialised shipping containers page.
Why choose our shipping containers?
- 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.
- Readily available: Connect with vetted local suppliers across the country, and get a container delivered to your door.
- Great for tight spaces: Place your container in a driveway, on a construction site, or outside your commercial premises.
Got questions? Let’s chat.
Hello! I’m Sophie – Container Specialist, how can I help you?
We’re here to make container buying simple.
Talk to a real expert, get advice, and find your perfect fit – fast.
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FAQs
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers
All you need to know about the different types of shipping containers.
01
Shipping containers can be categorised in a few different ways:
- By length: 20ft and 40ft containers are the most common, but 8ft, 10ft and 48ft are available too.
- By height/width: High cube containers are 305mm taller and wide pallet containers are 50mm wider than standard.
- By configuration: Most containers are fully enclosed, but roofs and walls are removed from open top and flat rack containers.
- By use/features: Side opening, refrigerated (reefer) and DG containers are designed for a range of use cases.
- For the full range beyond standard sizes, see our overview of specialised shipping containers.
02
Standard 20ft and 40ft containers are by far the most commonly used types of shipping container. In terms of transport, the greater capacity of the 40ft container makes it the most popular type for moving goods across the globe. The more compact footprint of the 20ft container, meanwhile, makes it a more popular choice for non-transport use cases like storage or site offices.
03
Shipping containers are intermodal: they can be transported on sea, rail and road. This means that they can be delivered almost anywhere in Australia. And by accessing our sprawling network of local container suppliers, delivery of your ideal container can be completed in quick time.
04
High cube containers are the same length and width as standard shipping containers, but they are approximately 30cm taller, making them 2.9m high. High cube containers therefore offer more internal volume, and are great for bulkier goods or as a living/working space with a high ceiling.
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.
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.