How big is a 40ft Shipping Container?

A 40ft Standard Shipping Container is 12,192mm (L) x 2,438mm (W) x 2,591mm (H) externally, with an internal size of 12,030mm (L) x 2,350mm (W) x 2,390mm (H). A 40ft High Cube Shipping Container has the same length and width but around a foot of extra height. For more info on 40ft Shipping Container dimensions, visit our dimensions page.

How heavy is a 40ft Shipping Container?

A 40ft Standard Shipping Container weighs 3,400kg empty (tare) and can carry a maximum load of 27,080kg. A 40ft High Cube Shipping Container weighs 3,820kg empty (tare) and can carry a maximum load of 26,580kg.

How much space is required for a 40ft Shipping Container delivery?

A 40ft Shipping Container delivery needs more room than the shipping container itself, and the exact space depends on whether it’s being delivered on a super tilt-tray or a side loader truck. Rule of thumb for access: Clearance height: allow around 4.8m (watch powerlines, trees, eaves). Clearance width: allow around 3m of clear driveway access. Clearance length / manoeuvring: allow 18–20m for the truck to line up and unload safely. If you’re unsure, take a few photos of your site and send them to the Container Traders team. And for the full checklist, visit the Container Traders Delivery Guide.

Is it cheaper to buy one 40ft container or two 20ft containers?

As of August 2026, it’s typically cheaper in Australia to buy one 40ft Standard Shipping Container than two 20ft Standard Shipping Containers. Remember to factor in GST and delivery, and for an exact comparison to your postcode call 1300 89 89 70.

What is the difference between a 40ft Standard and High Cube Shipping Container?

A 40ft High Cube Shipping Container is the same length and width as a Standard 40ft Shipping Container, but it’s about an extra foot (305mm) taller. That extra height is handy for mods, bulkier storage, and gives more headroom when forklift loading. External height: Standard 2,591mm vs High Cube 2,896mm Internal height: Standard 2,390mm vs High Cube 2,695mm

40ft Shipping Containers for Sale | New & Used Prices + Delivery

Buy New & Used 40ft Shipping Containers

The 40ft Shipping Container measures 12 metres in length and holds roughly double the internal space of a 20ft Shipping Container. It’s perfect for any home or business that needs a lot of wind and water tight storage or has high volumes of freight to transport. The 40ft High Cube Shipping Container adds another ~1ft of internal height for bulkier cargo.

When a single door isn’t enough, Container Traders also stocks the 40ft Double Door Shipping Container with doors at both ends, or the 40ft Side Opening Shipping Container for side access. We deliver New Build and Cargo Worthy 40ft Shipping Containers across Australia and can modify yours into a workshop, office, lunch room or something completely custom. Secure your 40ft Shipping Container today.

Specifications brochure

How much does a 40ft Shipping Container cost?

As of August 2026, the price to buy a 40ft shipping container starts from $2,700 - $3,700 for a cargo worthy container. Price excludes GST and delivery. For the best price on 40ft Shipping Containers delivered across Australia, contact the Container Traders team today.

Container	Buy New	Buy Used
40ft Container	$6,100 - $7,500	$2,700 - $3,700
40ft High Cube Container	$5,100 - $6,300	$2,900 - $3,300

*Prices exclude GST and delivery. Last updated: 10 August 2026

Features

Huge storage capacity – Ideal for static dry storage or the secure transportation of goods.
Structurally strong – Weather and vermin proof.
Up to 5 years rail and shipping certification – Ready for immediate transport use.

Popular 40ft Configurations

40ft Shipping Containers are great for:

Container home
Build your own 1 or 2-bedroom modular dwelling.
Container café & dining area
Modify the container to be the perfect hospitality solution, awnings, kitchenettes and more are possible in this space.
Backyard shed
Store your power and gardening equipment in a secure and weatherproof solution.
Inventory storage
Great for storing your business inventory in a dry secure spot without using up store space.
Furniture storage
Free up room in your home by storing unused furniture and goods in a container.
Office
Create a working space without the need of onsite construction.

40ft Shipping Containers

Standard or High Cube Sizes

Hgh cube 40ft shipping container with closed doors

Wind & watertight containers

20ft containers ready to go

Fast Delivery in Australia

Download Brochure

Get a Quote

1300 89 89 70

40ft Dimension & Weight

40ft High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions
EXTERNAL
Internal
WEIGHT
Length
12,192 mm
Length
12,030 mm
Empty Weight
3,820 kg
Width
2,438 mm
Width
2,350 mm
Max Gross Weight

30,400 kg
Height
2,896 mm
Height
2,695 mm
Max Payload

26,580 kg
40ft Shipping Container Dimensions
EXTERNAL
Internal
WEIGHT
Length
12,192 mm
Length
12,030 mm
Empty Weight
3,400 kg
Width
2,438 mm
Width
2,350 mm
Max Gross Weight

30,480 kg
Height
2,591 mm
Height
2,390 mm
Max Payload

27,080 kg

*Measurements are indicative only and not to exact mm.

Shipping Container Grades, New & used

When buying 40ft Shipping Containers from Container Traders, it comes down to two grades. New Build is the go-to for street appeal and long-term longevity, while Cargo Worthy is the best choice when budget is the priority.

New Build Single-Trip

Near pristine condition with minimal wear
Built for long-term durability and security
Great for public facing or high use spaces

A large red 40ft shipping container for sale sits on a concrete surface outdoors, with other stacked containers in the background. Safety stickers and company information are displayed on the container’s door.

Cargo Worthy

Cost-effective option for tight budgets
Structurally sound and great for storage
Functional storage without aesthetics

Shipping Container Delivery Across Australia

Container Traders delivers 40ft Shipping Containers Australia wide. Our team works closely with you to choose the best, most cost-effective transport option for your site. For more info on how we deliver, visit our delivery guide.

Tilt tray delivery

MOST AFFORDABLE OPTION

Hiab delivery

PRECISE DELIVERY OPTION

Side loader delivery

Great for 40ft Containers

Flatbed / semi trailer delivery

EFFICIENT DELIVERY

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 questions to: [email protected]

Modify your 40ft Shipping Container

40ft Shipping Containers are a popular size to convert into site offices, workshops, lunch rooms and mobile cafés. They travel on a standard truck, so a finished build is easy to move between sites and projects. Our team modifies your 40ft container to your spec.

Popular Modifications

#452
Project #452

1300 89 89 70
Storage Hub, Workshop and Office | 2 x 40ft High Cube Shipping Containers
Container Traders joined two 40ft High Cube Shipping Containers into one storage hub, workshop and office. Removing the connecting side walls and fabricating the two together gives a far more spacious interior than a single shipping container, along with a loading bay at one end for equipment. The two shipping containers travel separately at standard width and the join is finished on site.

Key specs

2 x 40ft High Cube Shipping Containers, joined along the full length on site

Two roller doors in the side wall into the storage hub

Partitioned office in the corner with insulated walls and roof

4kW split system air conditioner with a recessed box housing the components

Sliding window and sliding door, both with fly screens

Personnel Access Doors into both the office and the storage areas

Double GPOs and lighting throughout

Connects to external power on site
Like this project?
Call us on 1300 89 89 70 and mention project #452 to get a quote on something similar.

1300 89 89 70
#709
Project #709

1300 89 89 70
Dual 40ft High Cube Shipping Container Home
We crafted a functional and luxurious living space for a family, accomplished by repurposing two 40ft High Cube Shipping Containers.

Key Features:

Structural Frame Cut Outs

Seamless Joining

Custom Paint Job with Gloss Finish
#291
Project #291

1300 89 89 70
40ft Grey Office and Lunchroom Conversion | 1 x 40ft Container
Container Traders converted a 40ft shipping container into an insulated office and lunchroom finished in grey, with a side-access personnel door and security-grilled windows. The build includes wall-mounted air conditioning, LED lighting, and a fully lined interior, set up for long-term use as a site office or crew crib room.

Like this project?
Call us on 1300 89 89 70 and mention project #291 to get a quote on something similar.

1300 89 89 70
#027
Project #027

1300 89 89 70
40ft High Cube Shipping Container Office & Storage
We converted this 40ft High Cube Shipping Container into a dual office and storage solution.

Office Key Features:

Partition wall

Insulation

Air conditioning

Flooring

Lighting

Electrics

PA door access

Storage Key Features:

Lighting

Electrics

Access through rear doors
#146
Project #146

1300 89 89 70
Side Opening Workshop Container | 1 x 40ft Container
Container Traders converted a 40ft side opening container into a ready-to-use workshop space. The build includes full-length side access for easy drive-up loading, LED lighting runs the length of the ceiling, a switchboard and power outlets along the internal wall and split-system air conditioning.

Like this project?
Call us on 1300 89 89 70 and mention project #146 to get a quote on something similar.

1300 89 89 70
#529
Project #529

1300 89 89 70
Side Roller Door and Personnel Access Door | 40ft Shipping Container
Container Traders fitted a wide roller door and a Personnel Access Door into the side of a dark grey 40ft Shipping Container. The roller door lets loads go in and out from the side without the end doors ever being opened, and the PA Door handles everyday access.

Key specs

40ft Shipping Container

Wide roller door in the side wall

Personnel Access Door in the side wall

Both openings lockable

Painted dark grey
Like this project?
Call us on 1300 89 89 70 and mention project #529 to get a quote on something similar.

1300 89 89 70

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking to learn more about 40ft Shipping Containers? We've answered some of the common questions our sales team gets asked.

How big is a 40ft Shipping Container?
A 40ft Standard Shipping Container is 12,192mm (L) x 2,438mm (W) x 2,591mm (H) externally, with an internal size of 12,030mm (L) x 2,350mm (W) x 2,390mm (H).

A 40ft High Cube Shipping Container has the same length and width but around a foot of extra height. For more info on 40ft Shipping Container dimensions, visit our dimensions page.
How heavy is a 40ft Shipping Container?
A 40ft Standard Shipping Container weighs 3,400kg empty (tare) and can carry a maximum load of 27,080kg.

A 40ft High Cube Shipping Container weighs 3,820kg empty (tare) and can carry a maximum load of 26,580kg.
How much space is required for a 40ft Shipping Container delivery?
A 40ft Shipping Container delivery needs more room than the shipping container itself, and the exact space depends on whether it’s being delivered on a super tilt-tray or a side loader truck.

Rule of thumb for access:

Clearance height: allow around 4.8m (watch powerlines, trees, eaves).

Clearance width: allow around 3m of clear driveway access.

Clearance length / manoeuvring: allow 18–20m for the truck to line up and unload safely.

If you’re unsure, take a few photos of your site and send them to the Container Traders team. And for the full checklist, visit the Container Traders Delivery Guide.
Is it cheaper to buy one 40ft container or two 20ft containers?
As of August 2026, it’s typically cheaper in Australia to buy one 40ft Standard Shipping Container than two 20ft Standard Shipping Containers. Remember to factor in GST and delivery, and for an exact comparison to your postcode call 1300 89 89 70.
What is the difference between a 40ft Standard and High Cube Shipping Container?
A 40ft High Cube Shipping Container is the same length and width as a Standard 40ft Shipping Container, but it’s about an extra foot (305mm) taller. That extra height is handy for mods, bulkier storage, and gives more headroom when forklift loading.

External height: Standard 2,591mm vs High Cube 2,896mm

Internal height: Standard 2,390mm vs High Cube 2,695mm

Ask a Question

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When buying a shipping container you want straight answers, not sales tricks. Container Traders is Australia’s highest rated container company, focused on doing right by our customers since 2016.

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Proudly serving Australian customers since 2016.

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We deliver shipping containers to every corner of Australia.

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We offer tailored solutions for your industry and needs.

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Customer Reviews

“Excellent quality containers & great service.
I purchased 3 containers and was super impressed with the quality of them all – practically brand new! Pricing was also excellent and they were really happy to be flexible and allow me to take delivery exactly when I needed them. Definitely would recommend these guys.”

Glenn W.
“We were very happy with all our dealings with Sam from Container Traders. He was extremely patient and very easy to work with. The container was just as he described. The delivery was very smooth and we were very happy with the whole process!“

Christine S.
“It is a bit of a minefield buying a container. I did my research and the guys at Container Traders Pty Ltd came out on top. Excellent communication, safe payment and my container arrived yesterday. It was seamless! I would highly recommend. Thanks Sam and Lachlan.”

Paula M.
Great service throughout the process from enquiry, purchase and delivery. Easy to deal with, competitive pricing and skilled cheery operators. Made our move across Australia easier than anticipated and now we have a good storage unit.

K.S
“Great service. Always available to discuss options for the container. Excellent communication about the delivery. Container itself is in great condition (it’s the second I have bought from Container Traders). I recommend the Container Traders team if you’re looking for a legit supplier.”

Owen P.