Standard (dry) containers
Standard shipping containers, without the guesswork
A standard “dry” container is the wind- and watertight steel box most people picture when they say “shipping container” or “conex.” Below: what the condition grades really mean, the interior dimensions that decide what fits, and how to inspect one before you pay — then ContainerMondo connects you with verified suppliers near you.
Condition grades
The grade matters more than the photo
Two 20-foot “standard” boxes can be hundreds of dollars apart — and the reason is almost always condition grade, not size. Here’s what each label actually means and which one fits your job.
One-Trip
Best conditionBuilt overseas and shipped just once to reach North America, so it arrives near-new: clean paint, tight-sealing doors, minimal wear, and the longest service life still ahead of it. It’s the priciest grade.
Cargo-Worthy (CW)
Best valueCertified structurally sound and seaworthy by an inspector — watertight, solid floor, working doors — with honest cosmetic age like surface rust and faded paint. The grade most buyers land on.
Wind & Water Tight (WWT)
Storage pickKeeps wind and rain out and holds its shape, but isn’t certified for ocean freight and usually shows more age and past repairs. Generally cheaper than Cargo-Worthy.
As-Is
Lowest priceSold with its faults disclosed — maybe a soft floor spot, a patched hole, dents, or a sticky door. Only worth it if you can inspect in person and the flaws don’t affect your plan.
Also worth knowing: you may see IICL — the strictest inspection standard, a notch above Cargo-Worthy and used mostly for leasing fleets. And if you need temperature control rather than a dry box, compare refrigerated containers instead.
Sizes & dimensions
The numbers that decide what fits
Exterior size is only half the story. What you can actually load is set by the interior dimensions and — the part people forget — the door opening. Here are the real figures for the three standard sizes.
10ft
compact- Exterior10′ × 8′ × 8′6″
- Interior (usable)≈ 9′4″ × 7′8″ × 7′9″
- Door opening≈ 7′8″ × 7′5″
- Capacity≈ 560 cu ft
- Floor area≈ 75 sq ft
20ft
most popular- Exterior20′ × 8′ × 8′6″
- Interior (usable)≈ 19′4″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″
- Door opening≈ 7′8″ × 7′5″
- Capacity≈ 1,170 cu ft
- Floor area≈ 146 sq ft
40ft
maximum capacity- Exterior40′ × 8′ × 8′6″
- Interior (usable)≈ 39′5″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″
- Door opening≈ 7′8″ × 7′5″
- Capacity≈ 2,385 cu ft
- Floor area≈ 304 sq ft
Standard vs. High Cube: a standard container stands 8′6″ tall; a High Cube adds a foot (9′6″) for roughly 8′10″ of interior height — worth it for tall pallets, bulky loads, or headroom in a conversion. Want them side by side? See the full size guide. Figures are approximate and vary slightly by manufacturer.
Before you buy
Inspect it, land it, and pay a fair price
A standard container is a big, heavy, semi-permanent purchase. Three things protect you: a proper inspection, realistic delivery access, and comparing more than one quote.
Inspect it (5-point check)
- Roof & corners — press for dents; a bowed roof pools rainwater.
- Light test — step in, shut the doors, and look for pinholes of daylight (that’s a leak).
- Floor — probe the marine plywood for soft or rotten spots and chemical stains.
- Doors & seals — they should swing true, seal all round, and the locking bars should turn freely.
- Rust — surface rust is cosmetic; flaking or perforating rust is structural, so walk away.
Get it delivered
- Tilt-bed access — the truck slides the box off the back and needs roughly the container’s length again in straight, firm clearance.
- Tight sites — no room to tilt? A crane or hiab can place it, but it costs more.
- Set it level — on blocks or railroad ties so water drains and the doors stay square.
Pay a fair price
- What moves the price — grade, size, and distance from the nearest depot; delivery is often the swing cost.
- Local supply matters — the same box can vary by region and season.
- Compare, don’t settle — get several nearby quotes instead of taking the first number.
Ready to price a standard container?
Get a ballpark with the cost estimator, or see how we verify & score suppliers before you choose.