40ft Container
In today’s world, the humble shipping container is super versatile, and they are repurposed for many different uses. Likely you won’t be remodelling a container you hire, but it is also possible to rent a shipping container that has been reformed for other uses, such as pop-up stores, on-site offices and so on.
No matter what you want a shipping container for, or whether you feel you need a brand new one to suit your needs, or a used container will do.
In this post, we’ll guide you through renting a shipping container so the process is seamless and free of headaches.
WHAT WILL YOU BE USING THE CONTAINER FOR?
This is what you really need to think about and nail down first.
Are you just going to be using the container once to send a shipment interstate or overseas? Or will you be using the container for storage or as temporary office space?
Are you looking for a container that has been converted into a mobile pop-up shop that you can rent for an event?
It’s also possible that some people might need to hire the one shipping container for a number of purposes. As an example, maybe a shipment of goods is getting sent to you, then you want to store those goods in the container until they’re all sold.
Once you work out exactly what you want the container for and how the rented container will be used, then you can more accurately answer the following questions.
HOW LONG WILL YOU NEED TO RENT IT FOR?
If you want a container for storage, will it be ongoing storage (like for years), or just a few weeks or months?
If you were going to send a shipment of retail products from a manufacturer in China to Australia or some other overseas destination, what is the likely travel time?
It can often take months for a shipment to reach its destination when travelling by container ship. It’s a lengthy logistical process.
If you’re renting a container within Australia and making a shipment by land to another part of Australia, travel time will be a lot less.
When you are planning your rental container, talk to the shipping container company and ask every question you can think of. Better to be certain than be left wondering.
WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL BUDGET FOR CONTAINER HIRE?
Now that you know exactly what you’ll be using the shipping container for and approximately how long you’ll be requiring its use, you can formulate a budget you can afford to spend on the container rent and everything associated with it.
Remember, if you’re shipping goods, you’re not just paying to rent the container, but you’re paying for all the transportation as well.
Whatever figure you arrive at, as a precaution add an extra 10% to cover any unexpected costs.
If you’re simply renting a container locally for some temporary storage, budgeting is a little easier as it’s less likely there will be any unforeseen expenses on top of the initial container hire and delivery.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHIPPING CONTAINER
Let’s now take a look at the variety of cargo container types that are available for rent so you can determine which one suits your needs best.
First off, as a reminder there are 3 common sizes:
The 20 footer is by far and away the most common size used, as it’s just the right size to suit most transportation, storage or repurposing applications.
Now let’s list the different types of containers available:
The Standard Shipping Container – This is your general all-purpose container and the type that is most commonly used. When people want to transport cargo or use a container for storage, this is usually the one they’ll choose.
Refrigerated Shipping Containers – If you are transporting or storing perishable goods (likely food) that need to be kept at a constant temperature, then you’ll want to hire this type of container.
The Reefer Container – Very similar to the refrigerated container, except the reefer container’s temperature can be fully adjusted to suit the contents stored inside, including the ability to use the container as a giant freezer.
Dangerous Goods Shipping Container – Transporting and storing of any dangerous goods should only happen in a container that’s been purpose-built for the job. Examples of dangerous goods are toxic chemicals, explosives, gases, pesticides and so forth.
Open Top Containers – Built like regular containers except there is no roof. If you have anything super bulky or heavy that needs to be loaded into the container via a crane, then this is the container for you. Once loaded, the roof is covered with a very heavy duty tarp to keep the elements out.
Side Opening Shipping Container – These containers are also very handy for loading large items and for fast loading. They have huge doors that open on one side, rather than at the end. This makes loading and unloading very rapid and expedient.
The Flat Rack Container – These are like a piece of flat-pack furniture. When the container is not in use, it can be fully disassembled so it can be flat packed for convenient storage and easy transportation.
High Cube Shipping Containers – You might want to consider one of these if you require some extra internal space or are storing or transporting goods that are extra tall. The high cube shipping container comes with an extra foot of headroom, which can make a massive difference.
The On-Site Office – These are containers that have been remodelled somewhat and will contain windows and often a desk bolted to the floor or wall. They are designed for temporary use on building sites and anywhere else you might need a portable office on a non-permanent basis.
CONCLUSION
This guide has offered up some basic tips to help you choose a container for your needs and what to consider when looking to rent a shipping container.
Talk to your container hire company, ask them questions and get a firm quote for the duration of your container rent period.
