Whether you’re moving locally, interstate, or overseas, the importance of a reliable shipping container cannot be overstated. It plays a pivotal role in the transportation and storage of your belongings, making it a crucial decision in your moving process.
Understanding Shipping Containers
Shipping containers, or intermodal containers, are standardized units designed specifically for transporting goods. Versatile across various shipping modes—truck, rail, air, and cargo—they are renowned for their quality, security, and ease of transport. Palmers Relocations handle well over 10,000 shipping containers annually and there are about 20 million shipping containers around the world. It attests to their widespread use in various industries.
Advantages of Shipping Containers
Whether you choose to rent or buy, shipping containers offer common advantages:
- Durability: Crafted from corten steel, shipping containers are built to last for decades, ensuring the safety of your belongings during transit.
- Standardization: Operating under ISO standards, shipping containers maintain consistent specifications globally, encompassing size, weight, and quality.
- Convenient Transport: The ISO standardization facilitates seamless handling by various parties involved – from moving companies to cargo companies – and will be able to handle it all around the world.
- Safety and Security: Made to be resistant and durable, shipping containers ensure the protection of your goods. They are secure, with contents known only to you and sealed at the origin until opened by you or customs at the final destination.
Source: CONTAINER ARCHITECTURE IN THE HOT-HUMID TROPICS: POTENTIAL AND CONSTRAINTS – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Typical-Shipping-Container-Exploded-View-Source-18_fig1_278021414
Reasons to Buy a Shipping Container
Investing in a shipping container provides several advantages:
- Cost Variability: Container prices vary, with second-hand 20ft units ranging between $2,500 and $3,500, and new ones priced around $5,000. A second-hand 40ft container costs $3,500 to $4,500, while a new one is approximately $6,500.
- Long-Term Use: Buying is ideal for repeated usage, such as storage at your final destination. It’s a valuable long-term storage solution, and you can even resell it when no longer needed, experiencing minimal devaluation.
Choosing the Best Option for You
The decision between renting and buying depends on cost and usage. Buying your shipping container is an investment and it comes with excellent advantages. Let’s look at in more detail some reasons you should buy a shipping container.
- Renting: Generally more cost-effective for moves within Australia, especially when provided by your removal company. Suitable for one-time use or shorter durations.
- Buying: Ideal for international relocations that also require long-term storage. While it requires an initial investment, the potential resale value and flexibility make it a wise choice, especially when planning to use it multiple times. Just like vehicles, there is a market for second-hand shipping containers. However, unlike vehicles, there is very little devaluation….. In other words, you can sell your container at an acceptable price even if you own it for months or years.
Which Option Is The Best For You?
It all comes down to cost ultimately and use. Will you use a shipping container once or multiple times? As a general rule, it is best to just use/rent a shipping container if you are moving within Australia. This varies if you are going to rural property of course, but generally, it is best to use the hire container provided by your removal company.
Expert Guidance from Palmers Relocations
At Palmers Relocations, our experienced team can assist you in making the best decision for your specific needs. Whether buying or renting, contact us today to get answers to all your questions and ensure a smooth transition for your next move.