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20ft & 40ft rental Side Opening Shipping Containers in Australia

Side opening shipping containers for hire give you full-length access from the side, so forklifts can load straight in without the bottleneck of standard end doors. The 20ft side opening container opens up 6 metres of access, ideal for palletised stock and bulky gear. The 40ft High Cube stretches that to 12 metres, with extra height for larger equipment and high-volume storage. Minimum hire term is 9 months, with delivery and collection handled by our team.

Side opening container hire, backed by an Australian team

When you hire a side opening container from Container Traders, you’re dealing with an Australian-based team from quote to collection. No chasing overseas call centres or sorting logistics yourself. Quote turnaround is within 48 hours, and once your order is confirmed, delivery is typically one to two days. Upfront costs include delivery, collection, and your first month’s rental.

We’ve been hiring containers to thousands of Australians since 2016, and most of our work still comes from repeat customers and referrals.

Matt, a Container Traders specialist, talking to a customer onsite during a container modification.

Should I buy or hire a Side Opening container?

Deciding on whether to hire or buy a shipping container depends on your needs, budget, and how long you plan on using it.

Unsure what’s right for you? Contact Container Traders.

Get Advice

Hire a Container

  • Lower upfront cost than buying

  • Flexible: Keep it for as long as needed, then return it hassle-free
  • Quick & easy: Delivered to your location and picked up when you’re done
  • No long-term commitment: Ideal for temporary storage and moving
VS

Buy a Container

  • One-time spend: No repeat rent fees

  • Full ownership: Modify, paint, or customise as you like
  • Cost-effective over time: If using long-term, buying might be cheaper than renting
  • No return transport costs: You keep the unit, so there’s no fee to return it

Side Opening Container rental guide

Cost to hire a Side Opening Shipping Container

As of 1 September 2026, hiring a Side Opening Shipping Container starts from $250*/mth + GST. Delivery and collection are an additional cost depending on your location. See our full hire pricing guide to find the right container for your budget.

Hire price list (Updated September 2026)

Container Traders offers flexible hire terms, with better monthly rates the longer you hire.

Container 9 Month Hire 18 Month Hire
20ft Side Opening Container $270* /mth $250* /mth
40ft Side Opening High Cube Container $580* /mth $560* /mth

*Prices exclude GST and delivery. Last updated: 1 September 2026

Common uses for rental Side Opening Shipping Containers

Container Traders customers hire Side Opening Shipping Containers across a wide range of industries and for a variety of reasons. Common use cases include:

  • Forklift loading of palletised stock where end doors slow things down
  • Long items like timber, pipes, and steel
  • Machinery and bulky equipment
  • Events and festival storage
  • Self-pack moves with bulky furniture

Frequently asked questions

Have another question about Side Opening Shipping Containers? Contact us.

  • That is not an issue at all. You are welcome to hire your shipping container for as long as you need it.

    If you decide to keep it for a long period, just let the Container Traders team know.

  • Side Opening Containers are primarily used for loading bulk goods easily by providing full-length side access for forklifts and oversized cargo.

    At Container Traders, we find these units are the preferred choice for homeowners, businesses, and farms requiring easy access to items that won’t fit through standard end doors. Common applications include:

    • Palletised Inventory: Fast forklift loading for logistics and retail.
    • Oversized Machinery: Storing long steel beams, timber, or wide equipment.
    • Pop-up Storefronts: Rapidly deployed retail, cafés, or event kiosks.
    • Farming Supplies: Accessible storage for bulk feed, seed, and machinery.
    • Home Storage: Easy-access furniture storage during major renovations.

  • Hiring with Container Traders is designed to be as easy and stress-free as possible, providing convenience that traditional storage can’t match. We focus on quick project turnarounds and reliable nationwide delivery, ensuring your container arrives exactly when and where you need it across Australia.

    One of the biggest perks for our customers is that we handle all the logistics. Your payments are automated each month, and when you’re done with the unit, we simply come and collect it from your site. Unlike off-site rental storage, hiring a container gives you the ultimate convenience of having your gear securely stored right on your own property with 24/7 access.

  • At Container Traders, our full-side or multi-door (2, 3, or 4-door) Side Opening Shipping Containers let you load long or palletised goods directly by forklift, pallet jack, or hand, plus you can partition the space into separate zones for easy access to specific items without unpacking the whole container.

  • Our 20ft Side Opening Containers measure 6,058mm long, 2,438mm wide, and 2,591mm high on the exterior. If you need more room, Container Traders also offers 40ft Side Opening Containers or add an extra foot of vertical space with our High Cube range. For more information on the side opening dimensions, view our dimensions page.

  • Dangerous goods cannot be stored in standard side-opening containers; only purpose-built 20ft Side Opening Dangerous Goods Containers designed for the safe storage and transport of Class 3 hazardous goods.

    Our Dangerous Goods Containers are engineered with bunded flooring for spill containment, high-flow ventilation, and internal safety handles to ensure security and compliance, fully meeting Australian Standard AS1940.

  • For our standard shipping container range, the minimum hire period is 3 months, while specialised units require a minimum commitment of 9 months. We recommend hiring for at least these durations to ensure the total cost remains economical once you’ve accounted for the initial delivery and collection fees.

  • How much can a rental 10ft shipping container hold?

    A 10ft container is a great compact choice for a one-bedroom apartment or about 4 standard unstacked pallets of business stock. It fits easily into a single car space, making it perfect for tight residential driveways or small-scale commercial sites.

    How much can a rental 20ft shipping container hold?

    The 20ft container provides enough room for a 2–3 bedroom home or approximately 10 standard pallets of inventory. It’s a reliable medium-sized storage solution for both personal relocations and warehouse overflow.

    How much can a rental 40ft shipping container hold?

    For major projects, the 40ft container offers double the volume, comfortably holding a large 4-bedroom home or up to 21 standard pallets of commercial goods. It is the best option for high-volume industrial storage or total home moves where everything needs to fit in one secure unit.

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4.9 Stars

Based on 750+ Reviews

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4.9 Stars

Based on 250+ Reviews

29,789 Shipping Containers Sold in Australia
29,000+ Units Sold

Since 2016

Move anywhere across Australia with self-pack removal containers

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Get a quote from Container Traders

Send us the details below and we’ll come back within two business days with our best price. For a quicker answer, call our container specialists on 1300 89 89 70.

Call our sales team

Speak directly with a container expert by calling 1300 89 89 70

Email us

Send your projects to: [email protected]

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