When you travel for business, and you need to have a lot of salable goods on hand, one of the best ways to get everything moving is by using a shipping container. You can rent one or contract with a company, or you can buy one and then work with professionals to transport if for you. Of course, you’ll need to make sure that doing that fits your budget. Understanding the costs and benefits goes a long way toward making the right decision.
Is a Shipping Container Affordable for You?
Knowing the cost of a 20ft shipping container is one of the first steps toward deciding if you want to purchase one. A lot of companies rent or lease these containers, but you can also buy one or more of them if your company uses them, and it fits your budget. Of course, you also have to think carefully about whether you want new or used, and whether you need anything special in your container, such as refrigeration.
That can greatly affect the cost, so it’s important to know about it before you start shopping. In general, though, you can expect to spend a little over $2,000 for a standard, dry, used shipping container. If you need something with refrigeration, you’ll be looking closer to $18,000. Open-top and flat rack options for these containers are generally around $5,000 to $6,000 each. You’ll also need a place to put them, and you’ll have to have them delivered, which could raise the price.
Do You Transport Goods Frequently?
If you’re traveling between cities frequently and sending goods back and forth for sales or other reasons, you may really benefit from owning your shipping containers. That can stop you from having to lease them all the time, and you can also spend less because you won’t be renting them from the company that’s going to transport them for you. Instead, the company can just pick them up and move them when you need to ship goods.
Will You Need Storage Before Transporting?
Needing storage before transporting goods, or just in general, can be another good reason to buy a shipping container. Since they’re dry and protected, along with being very durable, you can store a lot of goods or equipment in them and feel secure about it. There’s no reason to look for more warehouse space when a shipping container is the cost-effective solution to your storage and shipping needs.
