Do you want to ship containers but aren’t sure how to make the shipping process fruitful? This blog gives you a rundown on everything from the right box to choose to ways to save money while shipping containers.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- The average price range of standard containers are US $2,569- US $5,023.
- When you ship containers you need to follow certain steps, this is called the container flow process. It refers to the entire journey the container makes from the exporter’s warehouse to the importer’s warehouse.
- xChange can help you buy the best shipping containers at top prices with price transparency.
Are you feeling ‘boxed’ in when it comes to picking the right container to help with your client’s shipping needs? Let’s get you out! You don’t belong in a box, the cargo does!
Say your client owns a shoe business and needs to ship an order of shoes from the USA to Indonesia. They are relying on you to find them a suitable container. You can help them get their box by hopping on to our trading platform.
With us you get, 1000+ reliable members and have 10,000+ containers available in over 2,500 locations worldwide. Every member on xChange goes through a background check, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands. Once you’re a member, it’s easy to find the exact container type and size you’re looking for, in just a few minutes.
Check out our trading platform to get started. All you have to do is choose, “I want to buy containers”, select a pick-up location, and hit search. Within seconds, you’ll instantly get a list of containers put up for sale, right where you need them.
Ship containers: definition of boxes and uses
Before you get started with the process of container shipping, let’s quickly refresh our mind with the basics.
Ship containers are strong metal boxes that are used to transport goods from place to place. They are made of steel and are sturdy enough to carry cargo safely across long distances. Ship containers have an intermodel aspect (ability to carry cargo via various modes of transportation) which makes it easy to move them by sea, road, air, and rail.
So, if your client’s business requires them to deliver shoes from the USA to Indonesia, shipping containers are their go-to equipment. But what if they don’t need to ship containers, but instead need a place to store the shoes? Well, shipping containers can double up as storage boxes as well. These containers are wind and watertight and keep the goods safe from damage – the perfect place for your client to store their stock of shoes.
Find shipping containers for sale on xChange
But how do you get your client the container for the shoes? Well by becoming a member of course! You’ll have access to 10,000+ containers. What else can you expect after becoming a member? You can see your partner’s company profiles, reviews, and ratings by their peers. Additionally, you can see different sales offers and the prices of all the available containers.
The best part: you can even compare these prices with each other. Awesome, right?
If trust is an issue for you, we understand. That’s why we follow a strict vetting process. Every member goes through mandatory vetting before joining the platform. This ensures that every member on the platform is certified – guaranteeing your safety.
Price of shipping containers on xChange
What’s more, our platform is commission-free and provides full price transparency. This means that all the rates and fees that you see are stated upfront and are negotiable. This way, you can be sure what you’re paying and why, before signing a deal.
The prices of containers you’ll find on xChange depend on the type and condition; you can have a better understanding of our prices of standard containers below.
- 20 DC- US $2,569
- 40 DC- US $3,297
- 20ft HC- US $3,203
- 40ft HC- US $5,455
- 45ft HC- US $5,023
Click on the banner below to get your box.
Let’s move ahead, shall we?
How to ship containers?
You now know what a shipping container is. We’ll now fill you in on how to ship containers.
The process that is required to ship containers is called a container flow; it marks the entire journey the container makes from the exporter’s warehouse to the importer’s warehouse. So, the shoes in the warehouse in the US are loaded into containers and are brought to port to be loaded onto port trucks and then onto ships. Once they reach the destined port in Indonesia, they are then unloaded from the ships and taken to the importer’s warehouse.
You can see the chart below to better clarify the entire process.
How do you ship containers with the right load?
You’ve understood the flow now, but how will you ship containers with the ideal load?
Let’s define the two kinds of loads. FCL means a single container that is booked by a shipper exclusively for the transportation of their cargo. An LCLWhat is less than container load? Less than container load (less than container load, LCL) is a shipping term that refers to the delivery of cargo in smaller quantities than a full container load. A f... More load is when different shippers load their cargo in a single container for transportation.
Say your customer’s shoe order is a big one. They’ll need a container all to themselves to pack it with shoes, right? Then the FCL loading type is perfect for them.
If the order for shoes isn’t as big, your client can share the space in the container with other shippers – that’s an LCLWhat is less than container load? Less than container load (less than container load, LCL) is a shipping term that refers to the delivery of cargo in smaller quantities than a full container load. A f... More load.
Ready to help them load those shoes?
Documents you need to ship containers
Before you do that, you will need the right documentation for your client. The two most vital documents your customer will need to ship containers are the Bill of Lading (essentially the shipping contract), and the Freight Bill (the invoice for the cost of shipping the goods from A to B).
If you want to know more about container documents, you can find the information here.
How are shipping containers made?
Corten steel is the major material that creates shipping containers. All the parts of the container: the corrugated wall panels, cargo doors, cross members, and frames, are made using Corten steel. But why Corten steel? It is rust-resistant – requires no painting.
Each shipping container starts with a big roll of steel, which is unrolled and cut into several sheets. The sheets are then corrugated to improve the overall strength and used to construct the box.
How much does it cost to ship containers?
The cost of shipping a container can vary greatly depending on certain factors and there is no typical price. The size and type of the container and how far it has to go, decide the cost. In general, the bigger the container and the further the destination, the greater the price tag.
See, we told you we’d give you the low down on how to ship containers. Now let’s get you that box.
Ship containers using the right container types
Remember we spoke about your client shipping shoes? So, to get those moving, you must find the right type of container. The next section will help you understand the different container types and which one you should choose for your customer’s requirements.
Here’s an overview of the different container types.
Standard containers
The 20ft and 40ft containers are the most commonly used containers for shipping. For dry cargo these are your go-to – the shoes would be a good fit here.
You can look through the 20ft and 40ft DCs for sale on xChange.
High cube containers
High cubes are similar in structure to standard containers. The length and width remain the same, and the height increases. If you have large cargo, especially ones with height (maximum 2.70 m), this box is for you.
Take a look at high cubes for sale on xChange
Other popular boxes on xChange
- Open-top container
Pipes, cables, construction materials, machinery, and bulky raw materials are some cargo materials that you can load onto these containers.
- Reefer container
Reefers transport cargo that needs cold temperatures. You can ship meat products, dairy, seafood, photographic films, flowers, and pharmaceuticals through reefer containers.
- Double-door container
These containers have double doors that swing open outside on both ends. Cars and bikes can be easily loaded and unloaded on this container type.
- Pallet wide container
These containers are designed for the transportation of cargo on wooden Euro pallets – cargo is held tightly in place, with no chance of slipping.
- Flat rack container
Flat racks can carry bulky cargo that can be fitted into the container from the top, such as hefty machinery and pipes.
- Side door container
These containers have extra doors that open on the long side of the container. The extra space makes it easy to load and unload massive cargo which needs more door space to fit inside.
- Hard top container
The hard-top container has a removable steel sheet on top, to make room for cargo that is big and needs space on top of the container.
- Tank container
Tankers are also known as tank containers are used to carry both hazardous and non-hazardous liquids with ease.
- Insulated container
Insulated containers keep goods cold, frozen, or at specific temperatures. They are good for transporting cargo that needs low temperatures for a short distance.
Find your container type on sale on xChange. Browse boxes.
Find the right box at the right price on xChange
You’ve found your box now and you’re ready to help your client, ship containers full of shoes to Indonesia! But are you concerned about having to wait in long lines to get to your container? Don’t fret. With us, you can enjoy a quick and easy process of buying your shipping container at your fingertips.
On our online market platform, you can pick a container of your choice and reach out to a company you like and negotiate prices. All transactions will be in one place – the marketplace.
Connect with trusted partners. Skip lengthy contract negotiations. Locate your boxes with automated container tracking.
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Ship containers: Common FAQs
What are ship containers?
They are strong metal boxes that are used to transport goods from place to place. They are made of steel and are sturdy enough to carry cargo safely across long distances.
How are ship containers made?
Corten steel is the major material that creates shipping containers. All the parts of the container: the corrugated wall panels, cargo doors, cross members, and frames, are made using Corten steel.
What are the prices of ship containers?
The average price range of standard containers are: $2.569- $5.023.
What is the shipping process?
Container flow process refers to the entire journey the container makes from the exporter’s warehouse to the importer’s warehouse.
