Compare 40ft Standard and High Cube containers, then choose the condition that fits your project — from One-Trip / New to used Wind & Watertight and As-Is.
Container size and container condition are two different things.
A 40ft Standard and a 40ft High Cube are both 40ft long. The High Cube is approximately one foot taller, giving you more interior volume and vertical storage.
One-Trip, IICL, Cargo Worthy, Wind & Watertight and As-Is describe the container's condition, previous use, inspection status and intended application.
Both provide approximately 40 feet of floor space. The main difference is height.
The traditional 40ft shipping container provides substantial floor space for storage, construction, agricultural and commercial applications.
A 40ft High Cube has the same approximate length as a standard 40ft container but is about one foot taller, providing additional interior volume.
Once you've chosen your size, the next decision is how new or used you want the container to be.
A One-Trip container is generally manufactured overseas, transported to North America with cargo once, and then sold as a storage container.
It typically has the cleanest appearance and the least amount of previous use.
Best for: Customers who want a clean, near-new container for long-term storage.
IICL refers to containers inspected and maintained according to criteria associated with the Institute of International Container Lessors.
They are generally considered a higher-grade used container.
Best for: Buyers looking for quality used equipment.
Cargo Worthy containers meet applicable structural and inspection requirements for cargo transportation when properly certified.
Certification should be confirmed for the individual container.
Best for: Customers who need a container suitable for cargo transportation.
A used container maintained to keep normal wind and rain out. It may have dents, surface rust and other cosmetic signs of previous use.
It is primarily intended for storage rather than certified international shipping.
Best for: Farms, construction sites, businesses and general storage.
As-Is containers are sold in their existing condition. The amount of dents, rust, wear and other cosmetic damage can vary considerably.
This can be the lowest-cost option when appearance is not a priority.
Best for: Buyers focused primarily on price.
A simple way to understand the difference between new, premium used and storage-grade containers.
| Container | Condition | Appearance | Typical Use | Price Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft One-Trip / New | Near-new | Cleanest | Storage / Shipping | Highest |
| 40ft IICL | Premium used | Generally good | Shipping / Storage | Mid–High |
| 40ft Cargo Worthy | Used / inspected | Varies | Cargo transportation | Mid |
| 40ft Wind & Watertight | Used / storage grade | More wear | General storage | Low–Mid |
| 40ft As-Is | Condition varies | Most wear | Budget storage | Lowest |
Start with the size, then choose the condition based on your budget and intended use.
For example, you can have a 40ft High Cube One-Trip or a 40ft High Cube Wind & Watertight.
Both are 40ft High Cube containers, but their previous use, appearance, condition and price can be very different.
Call (403) 461-5727Both are approximately 40 feet long. The High Cube is approximately one foot taller, giving you additional interior height and storage volume.
A One-Trip container is generally a newly manufactured container that has made one overseas trip carrying cargo before being sold in North America.
Not exactly. One-Trip containers are generally newly manufactured containers that have been used for one overseas cargo trip. They typically have very little wear compared with older used containers.
IICL generally represents a higher-grade used container, while Wind & Watertight is primarily a storage-grade description. A Wind & Watertight container may show more cosmetic wear and is not automatically certified for international shipping.
Cargo Worthy means the container meets applicable structural and inspection requirements for cargo transportation when properly certified. Certification should be confirmed for the individual container.
As-Is containers are generally the lowest-cost option, followed by used storage-grade containers such as Wind & Watertight. Actual pricing depends on inventory and the condition of the individual container.
Tell us whether you need a 40ft Standard or High Cube and what condition you're looking for. We can help you compare available One-Trip, used and storage-grade options.
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