20 ft, 40 ft or 40 ft high cube?
All three are 8 ft wide. The choice comes down to how much you need to store and how much room you have on site.
| 20 ft | 40 ft | 40 ft high cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside (L × W × H) | 20′ × 8′ × 8′6″ | 40′ × 8′ × 8′6″ | 40′ × 8′ × 9′6″ |
| Inside, approx. | 19′4″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″ | 39′5″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″ | 39′5″ × 7′8″ × 8′10″ |
| Floor area | ≈ 150 sq ft | ≈ 300 sq ft | ≈ 300 sq ft |
| Empty weight, approx. | 4,900–5,100 lb | 8,200–8,500 lb | 8,600–8,900 lb |
| Good for | Home moves, tools, small sites, backyards where allowed | Farm equipment, inventory, larger job sites | Tall equipment, shelving, office conversions |
Inside dimensions and weights vary a little by manufacturer — we confirm the exact unit in your quote.
One-trip (new) or used?
- One-trip — made overseas and shipped once to Canada. Like-new: clean paint, tight doors, minimal marks. Best for offices, conversions and anywhere it'll be seen.
- Cargo-worthy — used, but structurally sound enough to keep shipping goods. Worth it if you'll ship or move it a lot.
- Wind & watertight (WWT) — used, retired from shipping, sold for storage. Sound and weatherproof, with dents and surface rust. The value choice for most storage.
- As-is — may have holes or door problems. Cheap for a reason; we don't recommend it for storage.
What “wind and watertight” really means
It means the box keeps weather out: no holes in the walls or roof, and doors that close and seal. It doesn't mean it looks new. Before you take a used container, check:
- The light test — step inside, close the doors. Any daylight means a hole.
- Door seals — rubber gaskets intact, handles and locking bars move freely.
- Roof — deep dents hold water and rust through over time.
- Floor — marine plywood should feel solid, without soft spots.
- Smell — a strong chemical smell can mean a previous cargo you'd rather not store food or feed near.
Buying used? Ask us for photos of the exact unit before it's delivered.
Preparing your site and delivery
- Level, firm ground — gravel, compacted base or concrete. Set timbers or pads under the four corners so air moves under the floor and the doors stay square.
- Door clearance — leave space in front so both doors swing fully open.
- Truck access — our crane trucks lift the container off the deck and over fences or landscaping, so they only need a firm spot close by. A tilt-deck truck, by contrast, needs a long clear straight run to slide a container off.
- Overhead lines — the crane must stay clear of power lines; mention any wires near the drop spot when you book.
- Condensation — add vents or moisture absorbers if you store anything that can sweat or rust.
BC permit basics
There's no single BC-wide rule — each municipality decides through its zoning bylaw. In general:
- Industrial and commercial land — containers are most often allowed, sometimes with setback or screening rules.
- Job sites — usually allowed while construction is underway under a valid building permit.
- Residential lots — often restricted. Surrey, for example, only allows them on residential lots during construction under a building permit; Kelowna requires a building permit and an enclosing accessory building for permanent residential use, and allows up to 60 days for a move.
- Streets, lanes and boulevards — placing anything there needs a permit from the city.
- Farmland (ALR) — farm structures follow Agricultural Land Commission rules as well as local zoning.
- Conversions — adding power needs an electrical permit and a licensed electrician; a container people work or live in may need to meet the BC Building Code.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — check your city's zoning bylaw or call its planning department before you buy. Tell us your address and we'll share what we know.
Common questions
Should I rent or buy a container?
Rent if you need it for a project, a move or a season — you pay monthly and we pick it up when you're done. Buy if you'll keep it for years. A quick check: multiply the monthly rent by the months you expect to need it and compare that with the purchase price.
Is a used container watertight?
A container sold as “wind and watertight” (WWT) has no holes and doors that seal, so it keeps rain out. Expect dents, surface rust and old markings — it's sold for storage, not for shipping cargo overseas.
What's the difference between a 40 ft and a 40 ft high cube?
Same length and width; a high cube is one foot taller (9′6″ instead of 8′6″ outside). That extra height suits tall equipment, shelving or an office conversion.
Do I need a permit for a shipping container in BC?
It depends on your city and zone. Many municipalities allow containers on industrial land and on job sites during construction, but restrict them on residential lots. Some require a building permit for permanent placement. Always check your city's zoning before you buy.
How do you deliver it?
On K2 Crane & Cartage's crane trucks: the container is lifted off the truck and set down exactly where you want it — over a fence or into a tight yard if needed. You need a firm spot for the truck close to where the container goes, clear of overhead power lines.