Shipping Container Delivery Costs and Options

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Updated On: January 18, 2023

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Figuring out the logistics of getting a shipping container delivered to your home, business, or project site can be challenging. Not to mention, the complex process of loading and offloading, which almost always involve paying someone to help.

Even if you’ve already purchased a shipping container, the company that sold it to you may not be able to help with all of the steps required. And whether you have a container leaving or coming into your property, you’ll need to think through things like maneuver clearance, overhead obstructions, equipment selection, etc.

When you see shipping container prices advertised, they almost never include the cost of delivery. This makes sense because the movement cost can be so variable, but it’s important to factor this ‘hidden cost’ into your budget.

Remember that a typical shipping container price is on an ‘as is-where is’ basis. Refurbishing, modifying, loading, and moving the container will almost always be an extra charge.

Many of us are used to clicking a button online and having a package show up the next day, but moving a large, heavy shipping container is much different. There’s a complex web of people, systems, and infrastructure at work, and getting all of the pieces in sync to coordinate a container movement is no simple task.

We’re here to simplify the container movement process as much as possible and discuss what needs to happen from end to end. We’ll look at factors to consider with a container move, rough ideas of cost, how to prepare your containers for moving, and even some alternatives to using containers if your requirements allow.

Moving a Container: The Distance Makes the Difference

Obviously, the weight of the goods in your containers (if any) and the container sizes you need to move are important things to consider. But when it comes to moving a shipping container, the distance of the move is usually the most important factor affecting overall cost. Depending on how far it’s going, you’ll need different equipment and different sources of assistance.

It would be nice to have a container shipping cost calculator to give you an approximate price, but the variables are just too many to make that useful. Remember that, unlike services like USPS and FedEx, there aren’t established routes for container dropoffs that can quickly swing by your house. Instead, your delivery will need to be custom-tailored and likely influenced by the deliveries that come before and afterward as well.

Let’s cover the container delivery options, from shortest to longest.

Moving a shipping container across your property

Assuming the new location is still in compliance with applicable local government regulations, moving a container across your property might seem fairly simple. But without the right equipment, you can easily end up in an exhausting, frustrating, or even dangerous situation.

When you are just moving a container much less than a mile, it feels like overkill to pay for a specialist with heavy equipment. For such a ‘small job’, it’s logical to think you could do it yourself. And depending on what equipment you have on hand, you may be right.

However, remember that even an empty 20 ft container weighs over 5,000 pounds. We aren’t talking about something you can just push with your hands.

If a container is empty, you might be able to drag it across the ground. But that’s absolutely going to tear up your yard and create a lot more stress on the towing vehicle as well.

Instead, you should jack up the storage container and put it on top of something so it can roll. If you’re feeling really bold, you might try rolling it across wooden or metal poles. Depending on the condition of your yard, this might work. But it will be very difficult to turn the container, and you’ll have to continually move the back pole to the front as the container progresses.

A slightly better method is attaching special brackets to corner castings that let you mount car wheels to your container. If you only need to move the container in a straight line, putting wheels on all four corners will work great. If you need to turn the container, you can put two wheels on one end and pick the other end up with a large piece of construction equipment like a bulldozer or tractor.

We’ve covered some of these wheel brackets in our article on shipping container attachments. You can buy these attachable shipping container dollies, but if you’re handy with metalwork and automotive parts, you could potentially make some yourself.

All of these moving options assume you have a large truck, tractor, etc that could actually pull a container. Even if your container is rollable, it still weighs thousands of pounds!

  • Cost: Less than $1000
  • Time: A few hours

Moving a shipping container across your city

When you need to move a container across town, you’re going to need a trailer or chassis meant for shipping containers to hold it. That is really only something a professional is going to have access to, so we’re quickly moving out of the realm of DIY possibilities.

If you live in a decent-sized city, you may already have a company in town that sells shipping containers. Anyone that sells shipping containers has the capability to move them, or at least works with someone else who does. So that’s often a good first place to check. You might also be able to find a local hauling company with trailers that could handle the move for you.

However, if you have a container already at your property that you need to be moved to another location, that’s trickier. The problem is loading the container onto the trailer or chassis: At a container yard, they have the equipment to pick up containers, but that’s typically not something that leaves their yard.

Most hauling companies are not going to have the equipment to load and unload containers on their trucks; you’ll sometimes have to handle that part on your own. Therefore, you may end up having to hire a crane unless you can jack the container up.

While there are some trailers that have the ability to pull a container onto themselves, general hauling companies are unlikely to have one. We’ll discuss some of the trailer options later in the article.

  • Cost: Typically $2-$5 per mile + possible equipment fees
  • Time: Estimating driving time from Google maps, etc. plus a few hours for loading and unloading

Moving a shipping container across your state or country

A move of hundreds or even thousands of miles is surprisingly not all that different from a move across your city. It will involve similar the same equipment, used in the same way. Yes, your container may end up on a chassis rather than a flatbed trailer, but that’s a fairly small difference until it’s time to offload.

The more observable change is in who will be helping you. Most local companies are not set up to make cross-country deliveries. It takes their drivers out of service for several days, and it often means they’ll be driving back empty (AKA not earning revenue).

Instead, for a move of this magnitude, you typically want to engage the service of a professional long-haul trucking company. They have the bigger trucks that have the muscle to pull your containers hundreds of miles over varying terrain.

And they have the network to hopefully coordinate a return load so they can make money on the entire trip. 

To find one of these companies, there are a few places to look:

  • uShip: uShip is an online marketplace where you create a listing for your shipment and haulers bid to complete it for you. The majority of bidders on the platform won’t have the equipment necessary to move a container, but you might find a few.
  • Regional Hauler: A quick Google search should turn up some local trucking companies in your area that might be able to provide a bid on moving your shipment. Some of these companies may only operate in certain geographic regions, so the length of your move may remove some companies from consideration. It also may be tough to coordinate a time when they have the capacity and a return load to make handling your comparatively small job worth their time. Understandably, they focus their efforts on large manufacturing and logistical companies that can sign big contracts and help stabilize their revenues over time. Don’t forget that these haulers typically won’t have any loading or offloading equipment, just the trucks and trailers. But, you can ask!
  • Freight Agent/Brokerage: These companies use a combination of industry connections and online ‘load boards’ to connect haulers with loads. They are able to connect with potentially hundreds or even thousands of hauling companies, and so they usually will be more successful in finding a trucking partner than you would on your own. They can also help with ensuring the right equipment to get the container on and off of the truck is provided as well as de-risking the job by ensuring you’re clear on roles and responsibilities. You can use our Ship your Container Tool to get in touch with brokerages who can provide quotes.

Note, that you’ll have the same issue as above regarding loading the containers onto the shipping vehicle unless your container is being picked up from a container depot and not your project site. And, ensure that you are clear on the contract of carriage, provided insurance, and other terms before you agree to work with someone.

  • Cost: Typically $2-$5 per mile + possible equipment fees
  • Time: Estimating driving time from Google maps, etc. plus a few hours for loading and unloading

Moving a shipping container across the world

A move of this scale is where the intermodal capabilities of containers come into play because it may end up being several moves in one. At a minimum, the move will probably involve two truck trips on either end plus a trip one of those huge ocean-going ships as well. You may even have a rail trip thrown in there too, depending on the circumstances.

This type of move definitely comes with some logistical complexity. Not only do you have the various transport services to deal with, but you have the added issue of crossing international borders with your shipment. You’ll definitely need professional assistance for this type of container move. And once again, when you’re just moving a small number of containers, the job will be too small for many companies to even deal with.

The best place to start is with a Freight Brokerage, as we discussed in the previous section. Ensure you find one that specializes in international shipments, as many do not.

  • Cost: While it’s best to just get a customized quote, you can estimate the overall shipping container overseas costs by figuring out the trucking costs in the departing country and the arriving country from the port to the final location, using the guidance we gave above for shorter in-country shipments. To that, add the container shipping cost between seaports, which can be estimated via World Freight Rates’ freight calculator tool.
  • Time: Depending on distance, some sea routes for containers can take over a month. Then there’s the additional time to actually get a spot in each port, to unload/offload containers, clear inspections, etc. And then finally, you’ll have to add the driving time for the hauling in both the departing and arriving countries. In total, you’re looking anywhere from a few weeks up to a couple of months potentially.

Preparing a Container for Movement

With the plan to move a shipping container starting to come together, you need to ensure your container is actually ready to be moved. Below are a few things to check:

Get it to the Proper Weight

First, find out the maximum gross weight (empty container plus weight of its contents) for the various equipment you’ll be using for your move. In some cases, this might be the equipment used to load/offload. However, if you’re moving a container across your property, this could be the weight capacity of the wheels you attach to your container or the truck you use to drag it.

It’s impractical to weigh a full container in most cases, so you’ll likely have to estimate. The container data plate should have the tare (empty) weight of the container. To that, you can add the estimated weight of your contents.

Manufacturers list the weight of many products, or you can find the densities of some materials and multiple by the volumes. This may end up being more art than science, but you should be able to get within 10-20% of the actual weight pretty easily.

Now, if your gross weight is over the capacity of your equipment, you’re going to have to either find an alternative moving method or empty out some of the container’s contents until you’re below your capacity. We’d recommend giving yourself a factor of safety in case your estimate wasn’t exactly right.

Distribute and Secure Items

Moving storage containers involves a lot of, you guessed it, movement. Even if the container is kept level the entire time, things are still bumping around. And certainly, if your container is offloaded via a tilt-trailer, there will be a lot of shock and movement to the contents!

With that in mind, it’s best to secure any loose items in your container to prevent them from getting damaged or causing damage to other things. This may involve wedging things together, tying objects to walls, or even screwing temporary braces to the floor.

On a related note, it’s also important to get the weight of the contents in your container as evenly distributed as possible. Heavily concentrated loads on one side of the container can make loading and unloading the container difficult, or even dangerous.

Inventory Condition and Contents

As a last order of business, we’d recommend inventorying and assessing your container. This is to ensure you have good records in case anything is lost or damaged during transit. Of course, even if things ARE damaged or missing, your ability to hold someone accountable for that depends on the terms of your contract. So obviously, read everything carefully if you’re working with a professional shipper.

Start by cataloging the internal contents of your container. In addition, take note of the condition of the actual container itself. Take plenty of pictures to prove the condition of everything when it left your custody.

It’s also a good idea to get a record of the identification numbers on the container including those on the data plate to ensure you end up with the same container that you started with.

Container Moving Equipment to Know

In this section, we’ll discuss the various methods and pieces of equipment that are used to transport and load shipping containers. It’s good for your situational awareness to understand how a container will be handled on its trip to your front door. However, it’s true that you’ll probably never see some of the journey and the machinery used.

The beginning part of the list will highlight equipment that is mostly used in a port or loading yard. Further down is the equipment you might see show up at your project site, and that you’ll want to be more familiar with. And if you’re wondering why you should care, let’s reiterate: your project design, project site constraints, and certainly budget will all be quite relevant to the types of equipment that will be needed to move your container. Also, keep in mind that depending on your location, you may need special permitting or permission to have these large pieces of equipment on the road and/or on your property.

Regardless of the method, it’s always best to plan how the container equipment will maneuver in a location long before it ever arrives. This is all large, heavy machinery and dangerous work.

If your site includes other buildings, creeks, trees, hills, etc. things only become more complex.  Especially when multiple containers are involved, it can be an intricate ‘dance’ to get everything arranged in the right way for a successful container move.

Let’s talk through some of the different ways shipping containers may be moved and even delivered to you, and discuss some things to be aware of for each of them.

Container Gantry Crane

shipping container gantry crane

We all know that the majority of the distance a container covers will be via ship. But once that ship pulls into port, the storage containers need to be removed from the ship and added to a truck or rail car.

This last bit of a container’s journey, typically over land, is called drayage. The drayage typically starts when a large container gantry crane picks up a container off the ship and loads it onto a waiting truck.

The truck will either move the container to a loading yard away from the dock or go ahead and begin delivery of the container to the customer. The crane can also load the container onto a rail car, or even onto the ground where a straddle carrier, reach stacker, or container handler forklift can quickly move it to the loading yard as well.

Things to consider:

  • Industrial Use: You’ll only find container cranes in an intermodal port, so you’ll probably never even be up close to one of these. Still, it’s fun to see how they work.
  • Top-Down Attachment: The cranes actually hook onto the top of a container via a spreader hooked to the four top container corner castings. That’s right, the full weight of a container and its contents hang from these corners!

Container Chassis

shipping container chassis trailer
Source: Cheetah Chassis

The primary piece of equipment for moving storage containers when they aren’t ‘in port’ is the container chassis. It looks similar to a trailer, but it is more of a skeleton frame instead of a flat bed.

Most importantly, it has built-in twist-locks to interface with the container corner castings. And while these help hold a container on securely, they also mean that the container is only coming off the chassis one way: straight up.

Things to consider:

  • Emphasis on Long Distance Moves: A container chassis is most common for long-distance moves where the secure attachment of the container is more important than the ease of on and offloading it.
  • Requires other Equipment: A crane, forklift, or other vertical weight handling equipment will be needed to move a container from the chassis to the ground. We’ll cover some of these below.

Tilt Bed Trailer

Tilt Bed Offloading
image courtesy of allbaytrucking.com

The most common way of offloading a container is to slide it off the back of a truck or trailer.  The vehicle will have a hydraulically-actuated tilt bed, and after reaching the correct angle, friction will no longer hold the container in place and it will start to slide off the back until the corner of the container hits the ground.

The driver will then slowly drive the truck forward, letting the front of the container slide further down the tilt bed until it is resting on the ground. With some experience, tilt bed trailer operators can slide a container with just a few inches of accuracy.

Some tilt bed trailers also have the ability to load containers as well. They back up to the end of the container, get the edge of the trailer under the container, then use integrated winches to pull the container up onto the trailer. Doing this with a loaded container requires a much heavier trailer with stronger winches, as you would expect.

As far as offloading is concerned though, the tilt bed delivery of their containers is made to a staging site on their property. Later on, other equipment like a crane or forklift will move the containers the short distance onto their permanent foundations or stacked location.

Things to consider

  • Ground Surface: The truck/trailer has to back up to where the back of the container will sit, so you’ll need a relatively flat surface for it to drive on. The slide-off method is best suited for placing containers on the ground or a slab foundation, not onto piles or a perimeter foundation. After all, the trailers tires will have to drive over where the container is going to be sitting.
  • Overhead Clearance: The trailer’s tilt bed will raise the front of the container 20 feet or more in the air, so you can’t have any overhead obstructions (trees, wires, etc.). You’ll need to check with the operator for exact height restrictions.
  • Front Clearance: If you have a 20-foot long truck and a 40-foot long trailer, the front of the truck will be 60 feet in front of the container before the container has completely slid off and is on the ground. Then the truck/trailer needs additional room to turn/maneuver and exit the site (This depends on your site configuration, but keep in mind that these large trucks can’t make sharp turns).  This means that one end of your container needs to have a long/flat/straight/unobstructed approach.
  • Vertical stacking: There is no way to stack containers that are delivered via tilt bed.  If your design includes any stacked containers, you’ll have to arrange for another piece of equipment to do the actual container stacking.

Side Loader/Lifter

Side Loader
Image courtesy of chassisking.com

Another option is a truck that has a side-loading device.  This enables the truck to pull up beside your foundation area and offload the container directly off the side.

Things to consider

  • Ground Surface: The truck/trailer needs to have a flat approach on one of the long sides of your container foundation area, and will also have to deploy hydraulic outriggers to keep from tipping over. These outriggers will extend from the side of the front and back of the vehicle, so make sure you have room for them.
  • Overhead Clearance: The side loader will typically pick the container up a bit before dropping it down on the ground, so you’ll need to watch out for overhead obstructions.
  • Vertical stacking: Many side loaders can stack containers, but only a maximum of two containers high. Due to their limited reach and the presence of the outriggers, stacking is typically limited to one container directly on another…no offset or perpendicular stacking.

Forklift

Forklift moving a container

The average forklift you see in a warehouse isn’t able to pick up a container, but there are much larger models that can handle the weight. Some have traditional forks that slide into the fork pockets on the side of a container, typically for unloaded moves only. Others have an attached spreader that grabs onto the container corner castings instead.

However, the largest of these forklifts are so heavy and gigantic that they are difficult to transport, and you wouldn’t likely see one ‘in the field’ for a pickup or delivery. Instead, you’ll see a smaller model that’s just large enough to handle an empty container. In most cases, you’ll need a rough terrain model as your building site will not accommodate a forklift made for smooth concrete floors.

As the forklift is a separate piece of equipment from the truck that carries the container, we also need to discuss the two ways of bringing a forklift to your building site:

  • Piggyback: Some forklifts are designed to attach to the back of a trailer using their forks (meaning the full length of the trailer is still available to hold the container). However, most models don’t support this.  Of those that do, we only know of forklifts with the capacity to lift a 20 ft container at most, as even the largest piggyback forklifts max out at around 8000 pounds of capacity.

Piggyback Forklift

  • Separately trucked: If the forklift can’t piggyback, it will have to show up on-site via a separate vehicle from the one carrying the container. And at that point, if you’re driving a seperate truck anyway, it might be better to just use something like a crane.

Forklift Transport via trailer

Things to consider

  • Ground Surface: The truck/trailer can park pretty much anywhere on site, but you want to minimize the distance the forklift must travel from the truck to the container foundation. Keep in mind that while your site doesn’t need to be glass-smooth, any large ruts, hills, ravines, etc. will prevent a challenge for the forklift when loaded down with the container.
  • Overhead Clearance: A forklift can place a container with minimal overhead clearance, so trees and power lines are less of a concern with this option.
  • Weight: Only some of the largest model forklifts are able to carry a container, especially a 40ft one. If you outfit your containers offsite with walls, insulation, etc., you’re greatly adding to the weight.  In this case, you’ll want to speak with the delivery company to see if they have the capacity to handle a loaded container.  It may be helpful to keep a tally of the weight of everything you place in the container so you can discuss this with the company.
  • Vertical stacking: Depending on the forklift model, you should be able to stack one or two containers on top of the base container. Most stacking configurations are possible with forklifts, assuming you have a flat area on the ground to allow for it.

Hydraulic Lifting Jack

Lift Jack
Image courtesy of bison-jacks.com

Another interesting offloading method is the hydraulic lift jack. With a hydraulic jack, the container (with the aid of removable hydraulic legs) is picked up off a trailer, then lowered to the ground after the trailer drives away.  Note that this method does not allow for moving the container horizontally.  The container just goes straight down from where it sat on the trailer.

Things to consider

  • Ground Surface: The truck/trailer will need a smooth approach, and this is also where the container will sit. Having a level surface is paramount unless you have blocks for the container to sit on.
  • Overhead Clearance: The container only needs to be raised a few inches for the truck to drive out from under it, so overhead clearance is not a concern
  • Weight: Depending on the model, some jacks may have trouble will a fully loaded/converted container, so check with your supplier. An empty container is no problem.
  • Vertical stacking: As jacks don’t allow for horizontal movement of the containers after they are elevated, there is no way to use jacks for vertical container stacking.

Mechanical Lifting Jack

Image courtesy of bison-jacks.com

An option that’s very similar to the hydraulic lift jack is the mechanical lifting jack.  It effectively does the same thing, but instead of using electricity to power a hydraulic pump that actuates a hydraulic cylinder, the power comes from you!  Specifically, you manually actuate a chain hoist to lift and lower the container.

This makes the mechanical option simpler and cheaper than the hydraulic alternative, with the downside of being slower.  But if you’re not moving containers every single day, it might be an option to think about.

Things to consider

  • The same considerations for hydraulic lifting jacks apply here as well

Traditional Crane

Crane
Image courtesy of palfinger.com

A crane is what many people commonly associate with container offloading.  They offer a lot of flexibility but can be expensive to have on-site, especially if you aren’t near a major city.  The crane itself is a vehicle, and an additional truck/trailer will be needed to separately transport the container.  For a build with one container, this may not be cost-effective. However, if you’re using several containers in your project, the budget impact is lessened.

Things to consider

  • Ground Surface: A crane is the one option that can place a container onto the side of a hill or other very uneven terrain (assuming an adequate and level foundation is available to place the container on). The crane itself will need a flat area to setup and deploy its outriggers.
  • Overhead Clearance: A crane will have the most trouble with overhead obstructions of almost any option presented in this article. If your build has a lot of tree cover or other obstructions, you might want to consider other options.
  • Weight: Cranes come in a variety of capacities, but if adequately sized, they’ll have no trouble with a shipping container (full or empty). Note that crane capacity is a function of not only the weight it can hold but also the horizontal distance from the crane that this weight must be carried.  Depending on your design, this could impact the size of the crane needed for your building, so be sure to discuss this carefully with the crane operator before they come on site.
  • Vertical stacking: Cranes offer the greatest potential for stacking of all offloading options, and can handle all stacking configurations.

Truck-mounted crane

 

Truck-Mounted Crane
Image courtesy of hiab.com

A truck-mounted crane offers many of the benefits of a regular crane, but without having to transport the crane separately from the container.  The truck-mounted crane is smaller than a regular crane, so some capabilities will be reduced.  The majority of truck-mounted cranes can only transport 20ft containers on the truck due to overall length.  The benefits of truck-mounted cranes are reduced as more containers are used in your build, and a traditional crane or other offloading option may make more sense.

Things to consider

  • Ground Surface: The truck needs a flat spot to park and deploy its outriggers. As the crane is smaller, the parking area will need to be closer to the container site.
  • Overhead Clearance: The same issues with a traditional crane apply.
  • Weight: Some truck-mounted cranes can only handle 20-foot containers, while others can lift larger models. You’ll have to talk with the operator to determine if a full container is within the crane’s capacity.   As with traditional cranes, the capacity of the crane is a function of both the carried weight and the horizontal distance from the crane that the weight must be placed.
  • Vertical stacking: Truck-mounted cranes can accommodate stacking, although, with their shorter booms, the configurations are more limited. You’ll need to speak with the operator as you jointly develop a lifting plan to see if your build configuration can be accommodated.

Container Mover Alternatives: Other Box Movers

If you’re moving a shipping container because you’re using it to build a structure, all of the above information applies. But what if you’re simply using the container as a box to transport your household goods, and perhaps store them for a few months?

In that case, you have a few options for containerized moving services. In recent years, a number of companies have created their own container-like boxes for the purpose of helping people move their stuff.

Below, we’ll share information on a few of the largest competitors in this space, although most only operate in the United States.

U-Pack

U-Pack makes ReloCubes that are 6’3” x 7′ x 8’4” and can be packed full of whatever you need. They’ll even store them for you at your facility until you need them.

1-800-Pack-Rat

The containers from 1-800-Pack-Rat are available in 8ft, 12ft, and 16ft lengths.  All are a bit less than 8ft wide and tall.

PODS

PODS is arguably the most well-known of the competitors here. They offer 8ft, 12ft, and 16ft boxes for your goods.

CoolBox

The moving containers CoolBox are unique in that they are insulated, which can help to keep packed goods from getting overly hot or cold in transit. They offer 12ft, 16ft, and 20ft containers. All of their containers have slightly less internal room than competitors due to the insulation, and the 12ft box is about a foot narrower (7ft) than the two larger sizes.

Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell offers 16ft storage boxes in addition to storage trailers. Like most of their competitors, Zippy Shell can deliver their boxes or store them for you at their facility until you’re ready.

SMARTBOX

The SMARTBOX is a vinyl-covered wooden crate that is eight feet deep, five feet wide, and seven feet tall. Smaller and arguably less durable than some of the other options, it’s still worth considering if it meets your needs.

Summary

Given how large and heavy containers are, moving them is not a simple process. It involves planning, specialized equipment, and oftentimes some professional help.

In this article, we’ve tried to cover the various ways you can move a container and some of the considerations for doing so. We also briefly touched on costs for some of the possible methods out there, since a substantial portion of a freight container price will be dedicated to its movement. Whether you’re trying to move an empty container, a container home, a container pool, or any other container project, the rules are about the same.

It’s important to have an understanding of the various options for moving your containers, as well as their pros and cons in order to have a successful container project. Moving containers isn’t usually a huge portion of the overall cost of a container home, but it can certainly become costly if mistakes are made, and it can definitely be stressful if not well-planned.

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20 Responses

  1. I moved a 40ft high cube with household goods from California to North Carolina. Total weight was 25k roughly. Went through a broker, which was a mistake and a complete mess. I’ve been told you can have the container transported by train. Any truth to this? If so, would this be a more cost efficient way?

    1. They do put containers on trains, yes. Whether they would put a single container on a train that wasn’t in a larger group of containers all going to the same place is an open question. A larger broker that works in multi-modal transportation (not just trucks) should be able to answer this for you.

  2. Do you move containers from one state to another. Crownpoint Indiana to Selmer Tennessee? If so, what’s the cost?

    1. We recommend using some of the techniques mentioned in the article to find companies that offer these services

  3. What are the pros and cons of setting your shipping container on a leveled and compacted gravel pad?
    I’m looking at a shipping container for a seasonal ‘entertainment space’ vs. a full home, so there will not be many (or any) utilities to contend with, nor many of the details required for a home.

    1. Well that’s certainly a cheaper option than a full foundation, but provides no resistance to movement in the case of something like flood. Additionally, if you ever want additional adjacent containers, it might be hard to get them lined up correctly without rigid concrete foundations. However, for the limited use you’ve described, a level gravel pad should probably work well enough.

    1. Yes you can. After all, the primary reason shipping containers exist is to carry ‘stuff’. However, some of the land-based carriers won’t have the equipment to lift a heavy, loaded container, and you’ll also need to make sure their trailer or hauling chassis has the capacity to carry a loaded contaner as well. Just ask them, they’ll be able to help, but you’ll have to have an idea of how much all your stuff weighs.

  4. You mentioned a few times to contact the seller of the containers , to have the containers moved from 1 state to another. I have not been able to find a container seller that has been able to find me the right transport

    1. Another option for long distance moves is to contact a ‘freight broker’, which is a company that serves as a middle-man between cargo loads and transportation companies. Look for a freight broker in your area and they should be able to get you a quote.

  5. We are interested in purchasing a container to store our furniture, etc., in and then have it picked up and moved from California to Montana. Based on the previous posts I’ve read, is it the best option to talk to the company we purchase the container from? Will we need to pay extra to have wheels on the container so it is easier to haul on and off our properties? Thanks so much for your help –

    1. Yes, the best place to start would be the company you purchase the container from. It’s unlikely that they would do such a long move themselves, as they’d lose the use of one of their trucks for a few days, but if they can’t do it, they should be able to point you in the right direction. No need to put wheels on the container, as that’s a pretty rare option. The company will need to bring some piece of equipment to pick the container up and put it on a trailer when you’re ready to move.

  6. hi –
    moving from CO to TX – will have my own container – who do i contact to move it? Or what would i search?
    Thanks!!!

    1. The easiest way to find someone to move the container is to find a company that sells empty containers. They either have the ability and equipment to move containers themselves, or they work with a 3rd party company who does this for them. Either way, they should be able to point you in the right direction. A quick Google search should help you find one in your city or a major city nearby.

  7. We would like to get our container from jupiter florida to hillsboro wv. Any idea who could transport and what we might be looking at cost wise?

    1. Sheryl, your question sort of implies that you have already converted your container into a home. If that’s the case, it’s quite a bit heavier than an empty container, and you’ll need to ensure the company you contact has the equipment necessary to load/unload it. As far as finding such a company, we’d recommend searching for companies nearby that sell shipping containers. They should already have the trucks needed for transport, and should be able to give you a quote!

  8. Hi
    You mention a 700 dollar per day for a crane service. Is it possible to sit six 40 footer in one day?
    Thanks

    1. Providing that your foundations are ready, yes it’s realistic to place the containers in a single day.

  9. So I want to install two 20′ containers, stacked. I will use footers and my chosen site has decent access for a slide-off. My question is, is there any way to install the top container without a crane? Are containers ever shipped already stacked and then slid into place?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi DG,

      Without a crane, you could use something like a HIAB- they are a lot easier to use and cheaper to hire.

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