Frequently Asked Questions

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Intermodal depots are very busy places (most having several hundred trucks and shipping containers coming in & out daily), and most of the containers there (about 95%), are usually still being used for cargo, which are not available for sale. The depots store empty shipping containers for suppliers, shipping lines, and intermodal equipment providers. When we place an order for our customers, they pick the next available container off the stack that best meets the criteria for that purchase. They are grouped by size & condition, not according to if they are available for sale. Because the depots are so busy, and because of the potential safety liability, they don't have the ability to let customers come in and select their specific unit from such a wide variety of container options. All of the containers we sell come directly from a depot. Unfortunately, this means that it is not possible for a customer to pick a specific container. We always do our best however, to set realistic expectations as to what your container will look like.

When you buy a shipping container from our company, we act as a broker, and source the container directly from our shipping container suppliers, who have huge inventory that changes daily. For these reasons, the customer is unable to choose a specific color. However, we can generally offer beige and grey color options for New containers (there may also be burgundy or blue colored units, depending on availability). Upon request, if you're ordering multiple units, we can usually get matching/similar colors for our customer, but cannot be guaranteed. This is strictly based upon availability.

Intermodal depots are extremely busy places, and the majority of container traffic at depots is cargo related. Unless you have specific business to attend to at the depot, they don't want you there, due to the potential safety liability. Shipping container depots are not set up to cater to individual shipping container buyers. We won't know what depot your container is coming out of until we get the release information from the supplier, and most depots won't let you into the yard unless you have a release, so we don't recommend going to the depot unless you're handling your own container pick-up.

This depends on where the delivery site will be. American Containers LLC primarily acts as a broker, helping customers buy shipping containers. At this time we charge sales tax in most of the markets we service. We do not charge sales tax if the buyer is tax-exempt (form must be provided to American Containers LLC prior to purchase). Please contact us if you believe your purchase would be tax exempt. Please note that not all Agricultural Exemptions are applicable, and a valid sales tax exemption certificate must be provided (please double check your local & state tax exemption laws if anything seems is in question). We make every effort to comply with local and national tax laws, so please note that this could change at some point in the future.

Container pricing is driven mainly by local supply, and a 40ft shipping containers is a far more common size than 20ft containers. Because containers are a byproduct of shipping, the containers that move the most cargo tend to be the most widely used and available. The 40ft shipping containers (standard and high cube) are the most commonly used container size and tend to be less expensive per square foot than 20ft shipping containers. Depending on supply, sometimes used 40ft shipping containers can even be the same price or lower than 20ft shipping containers. On average however, 20ft shipping containers tend to be several hundred dollars cheaper than 40ft shipping containers.

For a 20ft shipping container, you will need a minimum 60ft straight of clearance. For a 40ft shipping container, you will need a minimum of 120ft straight clearance. Gates & entrance/exit point widths must be a minimum 14ft wide. Low hanging tree branches, power lines, or other obstructions should be a minimum 14ft high, but additional clearance is needed at the drop location so that the trailer/truck bed can be free of obstructions when fully tilted (about 18ft). Please take a few minutes to look over our detailed delivery guidelines (available for download).

The customer has the right to refuse delivery if there is legitimate reason the container does not meet the criteria requested at purchase. Our goal is to give our customers a realistic idea of what you will be getting up front. Please check out our sample photos, and all the information on our site before purchasing a container. Additionally, customers must understand that if the delivery cannot be completed, because the driver cannot safely drop the container exactly where you want it, due to delivery site issues, then the customer will be charged for delivery, as well as a re-stock fee of 15%. Neither the customer, nor American Containers LLC wants the container to be rejected at delivery! Again, please make sure you check out the sample photos, read about the different container conditions, read our delivery guidelines, and have a full understanding of what you’re getting before you choose to purchase! We like our customers to be informed. If you’ve looked at everything on the site, and you’re still not sure, please send us an email. We’re always happy to help!

The biggest issue with tough doors is an uneven door frame.  If the ground underneath the door frame is uneven, or the container is loaded heavy to one side, or on a surface that allows it to lean or twist, the doors won't open and close properly. Container doors are built to be open and closed when the container is sitting squarely on a chassis.  Over the span of 20ft or 40ft, it is possible for a container to twist just enough for the door frame to be out of alignment. Ensuring that your container has been leveled up is the best way to solve that problem before it starts. You can also use an grease/lubricant on the hinges and work the doors back and forth for a few minutes to help  loosen them up.

We can unload your container onto concrete, pavement, gravel, or grass. Some customers choose to build a concrete or gravel pad for their container to be placed on. Because of the truck/trailer size, the pad should be at least 2ft wider, and 4ft longer than the container (recommended). Especially if it is going to be offloaded onto grass or in a field, the main thing you need to worry about is that the surface is fairly level, with not potential hazards or obstructions, and the ground/area must be firm. Your container can be unloaded with nothing underneath it, but we suggest placing paver stones, cinder blocks, railroad ties, or 10ft 6x6 lumber (or at least 4x4's) underneath it to keep the container up off the ground. This allows air to flow under the container, and assures it won't be potentially sitting in standing water. Also, especially after you've loaded it, if/when your container ever settles over time, it will still be above ground a little. It also will make it easier to pick up if you ever decide to move it in the future. For more information, please take a few minutes to look over our detailed delivery guidelines (available for download).

Yes, you can pickup your container at the depot, if you choose to go that route, as long as you have the proper equipment to safely transport a shipping container. If you don’t have equipment capable of safely hauling the container, we can help you with delivery. After the purchase is complete, we will be able to provide you with a release number and pickup information within 5-7 business days. You can then go to the intermodal depot designated on the release information, and have the container loaded for you. Please be aware you are required to comply with all DOT and OSHA rules while at the intermodal depot. American Containers LLC cannot be held liable for any issues after the container leaves the depot.