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Delivery
Australia wide Solutions
Best Value for Every Budget

How Much Does Delivery Cost?

Delivery pricing depends on your location and the required delivery speed. Whether you’re renting or buying, we calculate the cost based on the distance from our depot to your site, and always aim to offer the most cost-effective option, including backload rates when available.

All delivery fees are included in your quote unless you opt to pick up the container yourself.

Estimated delivery costs

Inner Metro Areas (Within 30 km of a capital city port)

  • Tilt Tray (20ft): From $410 + GST

  • Side Loader, HIAB or Super Tilt (20ft & 40ft): From $545 + GST

Regional / Distance-based delivery

  • Tilt Tray (20ft): From $4.50 per kilometre + GST

  • Side Loader, HIAB or Super Tilt (20ft & 40ft): From $5.90 per kilometre + GST

We have the perfect truck for your location

Delivery depends on your property, container type, and truck availability.
Container Traders ensures a safe, cost-effective solution every step of the way.

1. Tilt Tray

Tilt trays are the main delivery method for 10ft and 20ft Containers, unloading from the truck’s rear by tilting the tray onto a flat surface. Be sure to confirm your preferred door orientation with our team before loading.

Note: For 40ft Containers, super tilt trays can be used where available. Tilt Tray trucks can also transport trailers, allowing two 20ft Containers to be delivered at once.

Tilt-Tray Specifications

  • Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’

  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft
  • Height (when unloading): 5m / 16ft or 6m / 20ft
  • Width: 3.5m / 11.5ft
  • Length: 20m / 65ft or 40M / 131ft

2. Side Loader

A side loader is a semi-trailer which uses a swing lift at either end of the trailer, or tray to pick up, using the containers strong robust corner casts to offload.

Note: Side loaders are generally a more expensive delivery option than a tilt tray.

Side Loader Specifications
  • Shipping Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’
  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft

  • Height (when unloading): 10m / 33ft

  • Width (when driving): 3.5m / 11.5ft

  • Width (when unloading): 6m / 20ft

  • Length: 16M / 53ft

3. Hiab

Hiab trucks feature a crane at the front or rear, enabling precise container placement in hard-to-reach areas. They can lift containers over small obstacles like low fences and accommodate 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft sizes, though weight limits apply.

Note: Whenever possible, Container Traders uses tilt trays or side loaders, as HIAB deliveries tend to be more expensive.

HIAB Specifications

  • Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’

  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft

  • Height (when unloading): 10m / 33ft

  • Width: 3.5m / 11.5ft
  • Length: 18M / 53ft

4. Flatbed / Semi Trailer

Flatbed trucks are widely available across Australia and often provide the most cost-effective delivery option. However, unloading requires a forklift or crane at the delivery site.

Note: For customers with onsite unloading capabilities, we can arrange flatbed delivery. For longer distances, a flatbed can handle most of the journey, with a tilt tray, side loader, or Hiab completing the final leg if a crane isn’t available.

Flatbed Specifications

  • Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’

  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft
  • Height (when unloading): 10m / 33ft
  • Width: 3.5m / 11.5ft
  • Length: 18M / 53ft

Options for Container Placement

A stable, level surface is key for safe container delivery. Concrete, hardstand, or level gravel/blue rock works best.
Dry, trimmed grass is acceptable with support, such as treated timber blocks, and at least 5cm elevation for airflow.
Surface conditions may affect the truck type needed.

Limited space in front or behind the delivery area

In tight spaces, a side loader lifts the container from the truck’s side and places it securely beside the vehicle.

Angled placement or obstacles to lift over

For angled placements or when obstacles are in the way, a Hiab crane is used to safely position the container on the landing pad.

Available space in front or behind the container placement

If there’s enough space, a tilt tray unloads the container and lets the truck drive forward smoothly.

Getting Ready for a Delivery

Directions of Doors

Side Loader

Side loader trucks unload from the driver’s side only. This means that when doors face the cabin the doors will face the same direction as the front of the truck when unloaded. Doors to rear will result in the doors facing away from the front of the truck.

Tilt Tray

Tilt tray trucks unload by sliding the container off the tray. If the doors face the cabin, they touch the ground last and follow the truck’s direction; if they face the rear, they touch first and face the opposite way.

Hiab

Hiab trucks use a crane arm to adjust the container’s direction. Let us know if you need the doors facing the cabin or the rear for efficient unloading.

Container Placement

Lay down area

Make sure your container pad is level, dry, and firm. Concrete or hardstand is ideal, but level gravel or blue rock will also help keep the doors functioning properly.

Lay down area

For proper airflow and to prevent moisture buildup, use a raised hardstand or add footings such as treated timber, concrete blocks, or car tyres. Containers can be placed on grass if the area is dry, the grass is short, and additional support is provided.

Clear Delivery Path

Obstructions

Safety is our top priority at Container Traders. We evaluate your site conditions and any potential obstacles such as vegetation, fences, power lines, walls, and underground structures to determine the safest delivery method for your needs.

Ground Conditions

Trucks, especially with containers, are heavy. Please ensure access is dry, firm, and level preferably on sealed or compacted roads and inform us of any wet conditions or access challenges. Any recovery costs or delivery delays due to poor access or heavy rain will be the customer’s responsibility.

Delays & Cancellations

On site time allowances

Our quote covers up to 30 minutes for unloading. Any additional time will incur extra charges, and the driver will inform you if there are any delays.

Cancellations & Changes

You can modify delivery arrangements at no cost with at least 24 hours notice. Once the truck has left the depot, any schedule changes will incur additional fees.

If you need to change the delivery date, for example due to poor weather, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible.

Delivery FAQ’s

Have a question that’s not listed here? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

  • Container Traders strongly recommend placing shipping containers on a level surface to ensure the doors open easily. If the container is not level, it could place excessive weight on the hinges, making it difficult to open the doors. Additionally, we suggest elevating the container slightly off the ground, using level blocks (such as sleeper logs), to promote airflow beneath the container and ensure proper ventilation around it.

    Container Traders strongly recommend placing shipping containers on a level surface to ensure the doors open easily. If the container is not level, it could place excessive weight on the hinges, making it difficult to open the doors. Additionally, we suggest elevating the container slightly off the ground, using level blocks (such as sleeper logs), to promote airflow beneath the container and ensure proper ventilation around it.

  • Containers are delivered using self-offloading trucks, with methods like Tilt Trays, Side Loaders, Flatbeds, and Hiab Cranes based on site access. We work with you to choose the best option for your location, ensuring a smooth delivery. Please inform us of any access restrictions like narrow driveways or uneven ground.

    Containers are delivered using self-offloading trucks, with methods like Tilt Trays, Side Loaders, Flatbeds, and Hiab Cranes based on site access. We work with you to choose the best option for your location, ensuring a smooth delivery. Please inform us of any access restrictions like narrow driveways or uneven ground.

  • The most common cause of hard-to-open and close doors is container racking. This typically occurs when the front and rear of the container slope in opposite directions, creating a twisting force on the opposing corners.

    A clear sign of racking is misalignment at the top or bottom of the doors where they meet or overlap—one door will sit lower than the other when both are closed (or as close to closed as possible).

    To fix this, the corner-post beneath the lower door needs to be lifted (using a lifting tool or jack) and secured in position (with a timber or steel block, for example). Often, only a small misalignment of a few centimeters needs to be corrected.

    The most common cause of hard-to-open and close doors is container racking. This typically occurs when the front and rear of the container slope in opposite directions, creating a twisting force on the opposing corners.

    A clear sign of racking is misalignment at the top or bottom of the doors where they meet or overlap—one door will sit lower than the other when both are closed (or as close to closed as possible).

    To fix this, the corner-post beneath the lower door needs to be lifted (using a lifting tool or jack) and secured in position (with a timber or steel block, for example). Often, only a small misalignment of a few centimeters needs to be corrected.

  • Rain can become an issue if it leads to trucks needing to cross water, soft ground like dirt roads or grass, or affects the stability of your footers or the container placement area.

    Please let us know as soon as possible if your area has been impacted by rain that could cause delivery complications.

    Rain can become an issue if it leads to trucks needing to cross water, soft ground like dirt roads or grass, or affects the stability of your footers or the container placement area.

    Please let us know as soon as possible if your area has been impacted by rain that could cause delivery complications.

  • This refers to the orientation of the doors when the container is placed on the truck. It’s important to consider which way you want the doors to face once the container is unloaded. Take into account whether the truck will need to reverse into the premises. Our friendly team can assist you in determining the best door orientation to achieve your desired setup.

    This refers to the orientation of the doors when the container is placed on the truck. It’s important to consider which way you want the doors to face once the container is unloaded. Take into account whether the truck will need to reverse into the premises. Our friendly team can assist you in determining the best door orientation to achieve your desired setup.

  • We offer customers the option to collect their container using their own transport. When purchasing, simply let us know and we’ll email you all the necessary details along with your invoice.

    If you or your transporter are unable to self-book into the depot systems (such as Container Chain or One Stop), a surcharge of approximately $150 will apply. If Container Traders need to make the depot booking, we will require the truck’s registration details and the driver’s information, and you’ll be all set.

    Please note: container pins are required for depot collections.

    We offer customers the option to collect their container using their own transport. When purchasing, simply let us know and we’ll email you all the necessary details along with your invoice.

    If you or your transporter are unable to self-book into the depot systems (such as Container Chain or One Stop), a surcharge of approximately $150 will apply. If Container Traders need to make the depot booking, we will require the truck’s registration details and the driver’s information, and you’ll be all set.

    Please note: container pins are required for depot collections.

  • Please inform us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule your delivery. We can typically accommodate changes without charge if we receive at least 24 hours notice.

    Please inform us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule your delivery. We can typically accommodate changes without charge if we receive at least 24 hours notice.

  • When placing your order, we’ll ask for your delivery preferences and provide an estimated delivery time. Prior to delivery, our transport operator will contact you with an estimated arrival time at your site. If you have any questions about your delivery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.

    When placing your order, we’ll ask for your delivery preferences and provide an estimated delivery time. Prior to delivery, our transport operator will contact you with an estimated arrival time at your site. If you have any questions about your delivery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.

  • We will do our best to accommodate your preference for a specific truck type when delivering your container. Please let us know your preference when discussing your site conditions. You can learn more about delivery here.

    We will do our best to accommodate your preference for a specific truck type when delivering your container. Please let us know your preference when discussing your site conditions. You can learn more about delivery here.

  • Depending on your location, we can deliver using a Tilt Tray, Side Loader, Hiab, or Flat Bed truck. You can learn more about delivery trucks here.

    Depending on your location, we can deliver using a Tilt Tray, Side Loader, Hiab, or Flat Bed truck. You can learn more about delivery trucks here.

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