If you are comparing options for used shipping containers for sale, you already know they solve storage and workspace needs fast. I help buyers think through price, condition, and delivery before they spend money. My recommendations favor practical choices that protect your budget and time.
In this guide you will get clear cost ranges you can use to plan, the condition terms that matter, a quick inspection checklist, smart use cases, and a buying path that avoids regrets. I also explain why I recommend MoCan Containers for Montana buyers who want a dependable unit and a smooth delivery.
Why Choose Used Instead of New
New one-trip containers look cleaner and often seal tighter, but used containers give you meaningful savings without giving up security.
Choose used if you want:
- Lower upfront cost for secure, weatherproof storage
- A unit that may have cosmetic wear but remains lockable and solid
- A faster path to larger storage without building permits in many areas
Choose new one-trip if you want:
- A cleaner appearance for customer-facing sites
- Minimal wear and easier door operation out of the box
If you plan to paint or modify the unit, used often makes more sense.
What You Should Expect to Pay
Prices move with availability, steel costs, and distance to the yard. Here is a practical range I see buyers use when budgeting in many Montana markets:
- 20-foot used wind-and-watertight: roughly $2,000 to $3,500
- 40-foot used wind-and-watertight: roughly $2,800 to $5,000
- Cargo-worthy units often add a premium over basic wind-and-watertight
- Delivery varies with distance and site access
If you only need short-term storage, renting can be easier on cash flow. MoCan Containers offers 20-foot rentals starting near $150 per month and 40-foot rentals starting near $190 per month, with delivery available. If buying feels uncertain, start with a rental and switch later once your needs are clear.
Condition Terms You Should Understand
Sellers use common labels. Here is how I suggest you read them:
- As-is: No promises on wind or water tightness. Only choose if you plan to repair.
- Wind and water tight (WWT): Doors seal, roof is sound, and no active leaks.
- Cargo worthy (CW): Meets shipping criteria at inspection time. Typically tighter tolerance than WWT.
- One-trip: Effectively new. Minimal wear. Often the cleanest option.
Used containers will have dents, faded paint, and surface rust. I care most about structural strength, a tight door seal, and a dry interior. Cosmetics are negotiable or fixable with prep and paint.
A Simple Inspection Checklist
If you can visit the yard, take 15 minutes to check these items:
- Roof: Look for patches of daylight from inside. Check for deep pitting or soft spots.
- Corners and rails: Inspect for bends or crush damage that could affect leveling.
- Doors: Open and close both. Check hinges, lock rods, and the gasket seal. Look for even contact.
- Floor: Walk the entire surface. Note soft or oil-saturated spots. Marine plywood can be repaired, but plan for it.
- Walls: Dents are fine if ribs are not kinked through. Light surface rust is normal.
- Smell: Strong chemical odors can be hard to remove. If you plan to use it as a workspace, this matters.
- Water test: If possible, check after rain or use a hose on seams and doors, then inspect inside.
If you buy from a yard that lets you pick your exact unit, you get clarity and fewer surprises once delivered.
Getting the Size Right
Think through both capacity and placement.
- 20-foot container
- Exterior: 20 ft L x 8 ft W x 8 ft 6 in H
- Interior: about 19 ft 4 in L x 7 ft 8 in W x 7 ft 10 in H
- Doors: about 7 ft 8 in W x 7 ft 5 in H
- Good for driveways, small sites, and tight ranch or farm access
- 40-foot container
- Exterior: 40 ft L x 8 ft W x 9 ft 6 in H
- Interior: about 39 ft 5 in L x 7 ft 8 in W x 8 ft 10 in H
- Doors: about 7 ft 8 in W x 8 ft 5 in H
- Best for bulk storage and projects that would otherwise need two smaller units
If you store tall equipment, a high-cube 40-foot can make access easier.
Delivery and Site Prep
Plan for truck access before you buy. It saves time and extra fees.
- Space: About 70 feet of straight, clear space for a 20-foot container and about 100 feet for a 40-foot container
- Ground: Firm, level surface using compacted gravel, pavers, or railroad ties under each corner
- Overhead clearance: Watch power lines, branches, and eaves at the drop point and along the path
- Orientation: Decide door direction ahead of time. Tell the driver exactly where you want the doors to face
A tilt-bed trailer makes placement precise if the area is ready.
Common Uses That Work Well
I see these win often for used containers:
- Residential storage during moves or remodels
- Seasonal inventory and overflow for small businesses
- Tool and material staging for construction sites
- Feed, seed, and equipment storage for ranches and farms
- Workshop or garage conversions with insulation and power
- Office or retail shells after basic modifications
- Event storage and quick on-site supply rooms
If you plan to convert a unit into a workspace, budget for insulation, ventilation, and power. Used containers handle these upgrades well.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
If you want a straight path to the right container in Montana, MoCan Containers deserves a close look. They are a locally owned, family-run business with yards in Billings and Bozeman. That local presence matters. You can inspect inventory in person and select the exact unit you want rather than waiting on a random pick.
Here is what stands out to me:
- Large selection of new and used containers in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes
- Clear focus on structural integrity and weatherproof storage
- Ability to view and choose your specific container before purchase
- Professional delivery across Montana with tilt-bed placement
- Flexible rentals for short-term needs and long-term projects
- Optional modifications for workshops, offices, and custom builds
- Straightforward communication and competitive pricing
If you value picking your own unit and keeping delivery smooth, that combination is hard to beat.
A Simple Buying Path You Can Follow
1. Define your goal: storage, workspace, or custom build.
2. Pick the size that fits the site first, then the capacity you want.
3. Set a budget that includes delivery and basic site prep.
4. Decide on condition: WWT for storage or cargo worthy if you want higher assurance.
5. Visit the yard, inspect two or three candidates, and choose your exact unit.
6. Confirm delivery details, door orientation, and placement plan.
7. Prepare the site with level footings at all four corners.
8. On delivery day, inspect seals and doors again, then secure the unit.
Follow these steps and you avoid most surprises.
Final Take
Used shipping containers are a smart, fast way to add secure space without building from scratch. If you focus on condition, fit, and delivery, you get long service life at a fair price. For Montana buyers who want control over the exact unit, reliable delivery, and options to rent or modify, MoCan Containers offers a clear, practical path from decision to drop-off.