Should You Buy or Use Single-Use 20 Feet Shipping Containers?

When preparing for an international move, selecting the right container is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make. A 20 feet shipping container is a popular choice for those needing a reliable, sea-worthy solution for transporting household items or small-scale cargo overseas. However, a common dilemma arises: should you buy or use a single-use container?

This article will explore the key factors you need to consider when deciding whether to buy or use a single-use 20 feet shipping container for international shipping. These factors include cost, long-term vs. short-term needs, logistics, and storage. By evaluating these areas, you can make an informed decision that best suits your situation.

Understanding the Dimensions of a 20 Feet Shipping Container

Before choosing your option, it’s important to understand the exact dimensions of a 20 feet shipping container. These containers are built to fit international shipping standards and can easily accommodate household items or small-scale business goods.

Dimensions, Capacity and Weight Limits

How Much Can a 20 Feet Shipping Container Accommodate?

A 20 feet shipping container can accommodate up to the contents of a two-bedroom house, making it an excellent option for small to medium-sized households moving internationally. For added flexibility, this container can also fit one car and the contents of a one-bedroom house, giving you more options for vehicle transport alongside personal belongings.

Capacity Overview:

• Household Capacity: Ideal for 1 to 2 bedrooms.
• Vehicle Capacity: Can accommodate one car plus 25 medium to large boxes.

To better understand the full capacity of a 20 feet shipping container, here’s an illustration of what can fit using common household items:

This flexibility makes the 20 feet shipping container perfect for one-time international relocations where space efficiency is key.

Comparing Buying Containers vs. Single-Use (One-Way) Containers

When it comes to sustainability in international shipping, there are distinct differences between buying 20 feet shipping container and opting for single-use (one-way) containers. Each option has its own environmental and logistical implications. Understanding how each affects long-term sustainability can help you make a more responsible choice.

Buying Containers

Buying a 20 feet shipping container offers a long-term solution for frequent shippers and those looking to control their shipping process. While it involves a higher upfront cost, ownership allows for durability, customization, and reuse over time.

Sustainability Considerations for Buying:

• Upfront Cost: The initial investment is high, but it pays off for businesses or individuals with consistent international shipping needs, reducing the need for frequent purchases of new containers.

• Durability and Lifespan: Purchased containers are built to last for 10-15 years, making them a sustainable long-term asset. This reduces the demand for new container production over time, lowering the overall carbon footprint.
• Customization: With ownership, containers can be modified to fit specific needs (e.g., internal racking, temperature control), extending their use for different types of shipments and making them a versatile asset.
• Control: Full control over the container means you can maintain, repair, and store it according to your needs. This also allows for better route optimization, reducing the need for third-party services and improving overall efficiency.
• Resale Value: When the container is no longer needed, it retains resale value, allowing you to recover part of your investment. This also contributes to sustainability by keeping the container in circulation.

Single-Use (One-Way) Containers

Single-use or one-way containers are often chosen for one-time international shipments. These containers provide a flexible, cost-effective solution for businesses or individuals with inconsistent shipping needs. While they come with lower upfront costs, they also offer certain environmental advantages.

Sustainability Considerations for Single-Use Containers:

• Lower Upfront Costs: Since you are leasing the container for a single trip, the initial expense is much lower. This makes one-way containers an attractive option for those who don’t need long-term ownership.

• No Maintenance: Once the container completes its journey, there is no need to worry about repairs or storage, as the container is returned to the shipping line for reuse.
• Flexibility: Single-use containers provide flexibility, especially for businesses with inconsistent shipping volumes. You avoid the environmental and logistical burden of owning a container.
• Availability: Steamship lines maintain large networks, ensuring that one-way containers are readily available across many routes, reducing delays and increasing efficiency.
• Environmental Considerations: Many EarthRelo are adopting greener practices, such as reusing single-use containers within their ecosystem. By ensuring containers are reused for multiple trips, steamship lines can reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact.

Final Considerations

Both buying and using single-use containers have their own sustainability advantages. Purchasing a 20 feet shipping container is a more sustainable option for frequent shippers, as it reduces the need for producing new containers and allows for long-term control over its use. On the other hand, single-use containers are a more flexible, cost-effective option for those with irregular shipping needs, and steamship lines’ increasing focus on reusing these containers can help reduce their environmental impact.

Resale Value: Can You Recover Costs After International Shipping?

One of the key considerations when deciding whether to buy or opt for single-use 20 feet shipping container for international shipping is the potential for recovering costs through resale. While buying gives you ownership, it also comes with the opportunity to resell the container after completing your international shipment. However, there are some important factors to keep in mind when considering the resale value of a container.

Potential Resale of a Purchased Container

When you buy a 20 feet shipping container, you have the option to resell it after its use. Containers made for international shipping are often in high demand, and depending on the container’s condition, you may be able to recover part of your initial investment. However, depreciation, wear and tear during shipping, and the market demand for used containers can impact the resale price.

Key Factors Influencing Resale Value:

• Condition After Use: If the container experiences wear and tear during international shipping, it may reduce the resale price.
• Market Demand: The resale value also depends on the current demand for used 20 feet shipping containers in your location.
• Time to Sell: Finding a buyer and reselling the container may take time, especially if there is low demand.

No Resale Hassle with Single-Use Containers

Opting for a single-use 20 feet shipping container eliminates the need to worry about resale value altogether. After your international shipment, you simply return the container to EarthRelo, avoiding any complications related to selling. Single-use is a more convenient option for those who prefer to avoid the time and effort involved in reselling a used container.

Benefits of Single-Use Containers:

• No Depreciation: Since you don’t own the container, you don’t need to worry about depreciation or wear and tear.
• No Resale Stress: Opting for single-use eliminates the need to find buyers and negotiate prices, saving you time and effort.

Final Considerations for Resale

If you plan to use the 20 feet shipping container for a single international shipment and do not want the hassle of reselling, a single-use container is the better option. However, if you believe there is a market for used containers in your area and are willing to invest time in resale efforts, buying could allow you to recover some of your initial costs.

Keeping Purchased Container Post Shipping and Space Considerations

Another important factor when choosing between buying and using a single-use 20 feet shipping container for international shipping is what happens after your shipment is completed. If you own the container, you’ll need to figure out where to store it or how to dispose of it. A single-use container, on the other hand, allows you to return the container, eliminating storage concerns.

Storage After Shipping (Buying)

When you buy a 20 feet shipping container for international shipping, you become responsible for its storage once the shipment is complete. If you have additional plans for the container, such as using it for future shipments or as storage on your property, ownership may be convenient. However, if you have no long-term use for the container, finding adequate storage space can be both costly and inconvenient.

Challenges of Storing a Purchased Container:

• Space Requirements: A 20 feet shipping container requires significant space for storage, which may not be available at your residence or business.
• Costs of Storage: If you don’t have space on your property, you may need to rent storage space, adding to the overall cost of owning the container.

Use Once and Return Convenience

Opting for a single-use 20 feet shipping container eliminates all concerns related to storage. Once your international shipment is complete, you can return the container to EarthRelo without needing to worry about where to store it. This added convenience makes single-use containers ideal for individuals or businesses that have no long-term use for the container.

Benefits of Single-Use:

• No Storage Required: After use, simply return the container to EarthRelo.
• No Additional Costs: Single-use containers remove the need for any long-term storage fees.

Final Considerations for Storage

If you have no plans for long-term storage or future use of the container, single-use is the most practical option. It eliminates the need to find space for the container or incur additional costs for storage after your international shipping is complete. Buying is only recommended if you have sufficient space to store the container or long-term use for it beyond a single shipment.

Flexibility and Convenience: Single-Use Containers for International Shipping

Flexibility and convenience are crucial when deciding between buying or opting for a single-use 20 feet shipping container for international shipping. Single-use containers offer a range of benefits, especially for individuals or businesses that only need a container for one-time use. It provides the ability to choose the exact container size and features you need without the long-term commitment or responsibility of ownership.

Flexibility with Single-Use Containers

Opting for a single-use 20 feet shipping container gives you access to a variety of container options without the need to invest in a permanent solution. EarthRelo often maintain a wide inventory of containers, allowing you to select the best option for your specific international shipping needs. Additionally, a single-use container allows you to adjust to any changes in your shipping requirements, such as increasing or reducing the size or features of the container for different shipments.

Benefits of Single-Use Containers for Flexibility:

• Multiple Options Available: You can select a container that best fits your immediate shipping needs, whether it’s standard or modified.
• Adaptability: Choosing a single-use container allows you to adapt to changing circumstances without being tied to a single container after the shipment is complete.
• No Long-Term Commitment: A single-use container provides the flexibility to return the container once the shipment is done, freeing you from long-term storage or future reuse obligations.

Convenience of A Single-Use Container

Opting for a single-use 20 feet shipping container for international shipping is far more convenient than buying, particularly for one-time use. EarthRelo typically handle logistics, including delivery, pick-up, and transportation, ensuring a hassle-free experience. This convenience allows you to focus on preparing your goods for international transport rather than worrying about container ownership, maintenance, or resale.

Convenience of Single-Use Containers:

• Logistics Handled by EarthRelo: Shipping services typically include delivery to your location and transportation to the shipping port, simplifying the shipping process.
• No Maintenance Required: With single-use containers, EarthRelo maintains the container, ensuring that it is in sea-worthy condition for your shipment.
• Quick and Efficient: A single-use container offers a streamlined process, making it the faster option when you need to arrange international shipping quickly.

Considering a 40 Feet Shipping Container Instead?

If you find that the 20 feet shipping container doesn’t provide enough space for your international shipping needs, you may want to consider upgrading to a 40 feet shipping container. The 40 feet container offers nearly double the space, making it ideal for larger households or businesses shipping bulk items internationally.

For more information on the 40 feet shipping container, click here. This larger option may better suit your needs for bulkier or more extensive international moves.