At around 6 metres long — hence also known as a 6 metre container — the 20ft container is the best-selling container size in Europe: large enough for serious storage, small enough to place almost anywhere. Anyone looking to buy a 20ft container faces a few choices: new or used, buy or rent, and which use suits best. This guide sets out the dimensions, price factors and applications.
The name 20ft container refers to its length: roughly 6.06 metres, or 20 feet. In width a 20 foot container is 2.44 metres and in height 2.59 metres in a standard build, or 2.90 metres for a High Cube (30 centimetres extra). This standard build is also known as a 20ft dc container (dry cargo): the most common variant, without extra ventilation or cooling. Anyone considering buying a 6 metre container almost always means this 20ft size in practice.
Because of the wall thickness, slightly less remains inside: the 20ft container internal dimensions come to roughly 5.90 metres long, 2.35 metres wide and 2.39 metres high. That gives a 20ft container capacity of around 33 cubic metres of loading volume, enough for a large part of a house move, a complete workshop fit-out or shelving units full of stock. The 20ft container weight (tare) is around 2,200 kilograms, while the maximum payload can run to well over 28,000 kilograms.
Buitenmaten (l × b); High Cube-varianten zijn 30 cm hoger. View stock →
A new, one-trip 20ft container has made exactly one sea voyage and is therefore virtually flawless: minimal signs of use and a smooth coating. That makes it the most affordable choice when appearance matters, for example for a shipping container as an office facing the street.
Buying a second-hand 20ft container means cargo-worthy or A-grade quality: guaranteed wind and watertight, CSC-certified and inspected at the depot before delivery. For storage in the yard or on the building site, this is usually the best value for money. Still unsure what to look out for? Also read what to look out for when buying a shipping container.
The 20ft container price depends mainly on condition: a used 20ft container starts from from €1.500, a new (one-trip) 20ft container from on request. Every 20ft container for sale is inspected before delivery. Transport costs come on top of that, depending on the distance to the depot and how accessible the location is — see what transport of a shipping container costs. Modifications such as insulation, extra doors or a colour of your choice in any RAL shade are carried out in our own workshop before delivery and are quoted separately.
Global freight rates feed through into the new-build price of containers. According to the Xeneta Weekly Ocean Container Shipping Market Update (July 2026), freight rates on the main shipping routes remained flat over the past week, pointing to a stable market with no major price swings in the short term. For a complete overview of current 20ft and 40ft prices, also see shipping container prices in 2026.
Browse the current range of 20ft containers, new and used, with live stock in the shop.
If you are going to use the container long-term or in several places, buying a 20ft container is usually more cost-effective: the container remains an investment that holds its value. If the need is temporary, for example during renovation work or an event, then renting a 20ft shipping container is more flexible. The 20ft container rental price starts on average at around 60 euros per month and further depends on condition and term; read more in renting a shipping container: monthly rate and term. You can also pay in three ways: in advance with a 5 percent discount, after delivery (see it first, then pay), or spread over up to 36 months via a licensed financing partner — see also how buying a shipping container safely without a middleman works.
People most often buy a 20ft storage container in this size: with around 33 cubic metres of loading volume it is the practical middle ground for tool storage on the building site, extra storage in the garden, housing equipment and storing animal feed on the farm, or extra stock space for an online shop. Thanks to its compact length, a 20 foot container also fits locations where a 40ft container cannot turn or be placed.
Delivery of a 20ft container is by crane truck or sideloader, usually within 3 to 7 working days. Make sure the ground at the placement location is level and firm and that a lorry can get to it easily, so delivery goes ahead without delay.
Tell us the type, condition and delivery location you want and receive a quote by email on working days within an hour, with price, stock and delivery date.
A 20ft container is roughly 6.06 metres long, 2.44 metres wide and 2.59 metres high (High Cube: 2.90 metres). Because of the wall thickness, slightly less remains inside: around 5.90 metres long, 2.35 metres wide and 2.39 metres high. That gives around 33 cubic metres of loading volume, more than enough for tools, stock or a complete renovation.
The price depends mainly on condition: a used 20ft container starts from {{price:20ft:used}}, a new (one-trip) 20ft container from {{price:20ft:new}}. Transport costs come on top of that, depending on the distance and accessibility of the location. You receive an exact 20ft container price including transport and any modifications by quote on working days within an hour.
Renting a 20ft container costs on average from around 60 euros per month, depending on condition and term. The longer the rental period, the lower the monthly rate usually is. For a specific rental proposal based on your situation, HEROX sends a proposal by email on working days within an hour.
A new 20ft container is one-trip: it has made exactly one sea voyage and is virtually flawless. A second-hand 20ft container is cargo-worthy or A-grade, guaranteed wind and watertight, CSC-certified and inspected before delivery. Used usually offers the best value for money, while new scores better when appearance is the deciding factor.
A 20ft container is most often used for storage on the building site, in the garden or on the farm, and as extra warehouse space for an online shop. Thanks to its compact length of around 6 metres, it also fits locations where a 40ft container cannot turn or be placed.
View live stock with prices, or get a tailored quote within one business hour.
