Shipping container business: Buy, sell and lease out containers to make big profits [+Get prices ’24]

Want to start a shipping container business but not sure where to begin? We’ve got your back. In this blog, we’ll take you through all the steps, plus important things to look out for. So keep reading for all you need to know about using shipping containers to make big profits.

Setting up a shipping container business is a wise move for several reasons. For one thing, containers are assets with intrinsic value; they’re both functional and have good resale potential.

Of course, shipping container investment is not without its risks. Therefore, you’ll need to find a reliable platform where you can buy shipping containers at the best prices on a regular basis.

Container xChange, an online marketplace with 100,000+ containers available in 2,500+ locations, can help you with that. We work with only vetted members, so you don’t need to worry about scams or being ripped off. 

Check out how easy it is to use xChange to find containers you need within your budget with our public search now.

Why start a shipping container business?

If you’re thinking of making profits using containers, we’re here to encourage you. Check out the list of reasons why it’s a good idea below:

Tangible assets: Unlike many other kinds of assets, shipping containers are physical objects with a very practical function: to ship cargo via road, rail, or sea. As long as goods are being moved around the world to meet commercial demands, your containers will be needed.

Long-lasting: If you’re looking for long-term assets, shipping containers are the perfect fit. When they’re well-maintained and inspected regularly; they can easily last up to 25 years. So you don’t have to worry about replacing them often.

Potential for steady income: According to the International Chamber of Shipping, over 11 billion tons of goods are transported in containers each year. So there’s heaps of potential to make a steady income by leasing containers to shippers. 

You can even modify containers for commercial purposes or rent them to other businesses for storage. It’s easy to do when you’re using an online trading and leasing platform like xChange to connect easily with industry players.

Make big profits: Making sure you know exactly where demand is high and supply is low is a sure way of bringing in large profits, whether you’re trading or leasing out equipment. We’ll explain exactly how to do this later on in this blog.

Top 5 shipping container business ideas: How to turn a profit with containers

There are five main ways to turn a profit using shipping containers. You can choose to use one of these methods or all five for your business.

1. Buy and sell containers

The ‘buy and sell’ method is simple: Buy containers in low-demand (surplus) locations and sell them again in high-demand (deficit) locations. Container trading is a lucrative business opportunity for trucking companies as well, especially to beat the freight recession in the US. This business is scalable, allowing you to adjust based on market conditions. You can start by buying a few shipping containers and gradually expand.

Here’s what Michael Auker of AMW Container has to say about using the xChange trading platform:

“We joined xChange because it offers broader access to more container companies for buying and leasing capabilities. Overall, the platform has made a positive difference in our business operations.”

Read on to find out more about how to start your trading business.

How to start a container trading business? 

When starting a container trading business, it’s important to find a safe and secure online container marketplace, where you can connect with trustworthy partners. xChange offers exactly this, with over 1,700 vetted members for you to choose from, all in one place. 

Let’s go over a quick ‘buy and sell’ scenario using our marketplace now:

First things first, check offers on xChange to see what the container type and size you’re after is selling for, and in which area it’s going for a cheap price.

After doing some research, you see that a 20ft cargo-worthy container is selling for a low price in Indianapolis, US for $910. So you hop onto the xChange platform to buy containers in this city while they’re at this cheap price.

Once you’ve bought your containers, you notice that 20ft containers are priced at US $2,310 in Denver, US. So you hop back onto the trading platform and sell your 20ft containers in Denver, making a profit of US $1,400 per container. 

Now just imagine you buy and sell 30 containers in these two locations—the profits will be rolling in! Learn more about how to make money using the ‘buy and sell’ method right now. 

Start trading on xChange

2. Shipping containers for storage

Shipping containers are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making them excellent for storing valuable cargo and equipment. You can either use containers for storing your cargo, or you can rent them out to other businesses to earn a steady income. 

Using a storage container is more cost-effective than constructing a permanent structure or renting a storage space. Moreover, containers can be stacked vertically, freeing up valuable ground space at your chosen location.

These versatile units are also perfect for setting up a storage container business. Here you create a secure storage facility by repurposing new or used containers. Read more about starting a shipping container self-storage business here. 

Used shipping containers are ideal storage containers. This way, you can secure containers at low prices and establish your container storage business easily. Find used shipping containers for as low as US $950 in some locations in the US by clicking below.

Buy containers at low prices now

3. Containers for construction companies and builders

Shipping containers are easy to customize, and cater to a wide range of industries, including construction. Here are some popular shipping container modification ideas:

Container cafe: A shipping container cafe is a great way to repurpose containers to turn profits. Containers offer a trendy, low-cost alternative to brick-and-mortar cafe structures, and are perfect for pop-up cafes at markets and events.

Container restaurant: Another way to make money with containers is to create shipping container restaurants. Container restaurants can operate as kiosks or as traditional sit-down establishments with both indoor and outdoor seating options. 

Container bar: Containers make durable and low-maintenance shipping container bars. They’re also easy to customize into different styles, and are quick to set up—so that you can start making money fast!

Container office: Mobile container offices are another cost-effective way of repurposing containers to turn profits. With just a few important alterations, you’ll have stylish and comfortable office spaces that you can either sell or rent out for profit.

Container homes: Container homes are growing in popularity as housing costs go up and available space in cities becomes scarcer. These homes are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and can be customized to meet different needs.

To make your container modification business a success, you’ll have to secure containers at the best prices. That’s where Container xChange can help you. We have 100,000+ containers available in various sizes and conditions.

Best of all, you can negotiate the final price directly with the seller, without the fuss of a middleman. Click the banner below to find offers from vetted suppliers in your location now! 

4. Buy, reposition, and sell containers

This method works in almost the same way as the ‘buy and sell method’, except that you lease your containers out for the one-way move from the surplus to the deficit location and make money on the pick-up charges as well.

Let’s take a look at a quick example of how you can make profits with this method on our platform.

Once you’re on the xChange trading marketplace, you see that cargo-worthy 20ft containers are selling for US $1,345 in Shanghai, China. This is a low price, so buying in this location is a good move. Next, you find out that the same containers are selling for US $2,310, in Denver, US. 

As you can see, container prices in Denver are much higher than in Shanghai, so you’re likely to make a good profit here. Plus, the pick-up charges for this stretch are high, at US $690. 

So, if you buy containers in Dalian and sell them again in Norfolk, plus lease them out for the move at US $690, you’re looking at a profit of US $1,655 per container. That’s a whole lot of profit, for very little work!

5. Lease out containers for one-way moves

For a container leasing business, you buy containers in good condition at the best price. The idea is to build up a fleet that can be leased out for one-way moves to make a steady income. For this option to be a success, make sure you’re leasing out your equipment along popular stretches with high pick-up charges. Check out our detailed blog on SOC containers to learn about these routes and their pick-up charges.

How to start a container leasing business?

To start your shipping container rental business you’ll need a steady supply of containers at low prices and a global network to lease your containers. On the Container xChange trading platform, you can buy containers at the lowest prices. 

In this way, our platform can act as a live inventory for whenever you need more stock, so that you don’t have to worry about paying storage fees for containers that aren’t being leased. 

Then, use our leasing marketplace to look for vetted container users for one-way moves. 

Find out more about how we can help you establish your container leasing business by getting a free demo today! Click the banner below to schedule your call.

How to start a shipping container business

Starting a shipping container business might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry. We’ll break it down into simple steps for you now.

Do your market research 

Before you begin, you’ll need to assess the current demand for containers both locally and internationally. Make sure you have a good handle on the market situation, so you know what you’re heading into. You’ll also need to establish what specific niche you’ll be targeting, such as shippers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs or container traders, for example.

Identify your competitors

It’s extremely important to identify your competitors and figure out what they’re doing well, and where you can top them. Check out similar businesses online and try to work out how you can solve customer’s pain points and satisfy their needs better than your competitors.

Create your business plan

Creating a business plan is important, especially if you want to get investors on board. Your plan should be a roadmap of how you’re going to get your business off the ground, as well as ensure that it’s successful. Here are some important sections to include:

• Business description: This section should explain what your business does.
• Competitor analysis: In the competitor analysis, you’ll need to explain who your competitors are and what sets you apart from them.
• Marketing strategy: Here you should detail how you’re going to reach your target audience and convince them that your products or services are better than your competitor’s.
• Products and services: Outline your products or service offerings. 
• Operations and management plan: This section should cover exactly how your business is going to run; how many staff you’ll need, what kinds of processes will be put in place, etc.
• Financial plan and projections: Here you should include your budget plus all financial requirements.

Choose a legal structure

There are four main types of business structures: Sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company (LLC). You’ll need to do some research in order to figure out which structure works best for your needs.

Register your business

Register your business and organize all permits and licenses required in your jurisdiction. For example, US-based companies acting as freight forwarders or NVOCCs must obtain an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). 

You’ll also need to register your business with the tax authority in your state. This process varies widely from country to country, so make sure that you do your research and get this done as early as possible to avoid any fines or penalties.

Find a secure online leasing and trading marketplace

It’s crucial that you find a safe and reliable marketplace to source the equipment you require for your shipping container business. Luckily, Container xChange is exactly what you need. Trade and lease out containers safely at the best prices, and build lasting relationships with partners along the way.

Open a business bank account

It’s important to have a separate business bank account from your personal account. This is first and foremost more professional, but it also helps you if you need to apply for loans or credit. Besides this, having a separate bank account for your business makes tax returns quicker and easier. 

Running a shipping container business means sourcing containers efficiently. Explore shipping containers for sale on our marketplace to find the best options. Join our network to access new, used, and specialized containers from reputable suppliers at competitive prices.

Now that we’ve learned all about the steps to take, let’s dive into the 4 most important things to keep in mind when starting your business.

4 things to keep in mind when starting a shipping container business

Starting any kind of business comes with risks. So what are some of the things you need to keep in mind before you explore shipping container business opportunities? Let’s find out now. 

Container depreciation: Even though containers are an in-demand asset, they still depreciate over time, especially if they get damaged or have undergone multiple container repairs. This is something to take into account when buying shipping containers for your business.

Damage and loss: Container damage is a real factor, as sometimes units get battered at sea, or even fall off ships. This is why it’s important to have container insurance so that you can recover your money when disasters strike. Luckily, with Container xChange, you can get the best insurance for your equipment. Find out more about the container cover we offer here.

Unreliable partners: Sometimes, an untrustworthy lessee or buyer can default on payments, resulting in a loss of income for you and your business. For the long-term success of your business, it’s important to work only with reliable shipping companies and vetted partners, like on xChange.

Market volatility: Container prices are always changing, and these fluctuations could affect your return on investment. Especially if you sell your inventory at the wrong time. So be mindful of what’s happening in the industry, as well as the current prices, before making any business decisions. 

Want to keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest container market news and industry trends? That way, you can stay ahead of the curve and make the best decisions for your shipping container business. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter below to stay up-to-date.

Earn profits by making Container xChange a part of your shipping container business plan 

To run a successful business, you need the right tools. Choosing a platform for trading and leasing that is safe, secure, and easy to use should be right at the top of your to-do list. This is where Container xChange comes in. So let’s learn more about the benefits of using our container logistics platform now. 

Full transparency on prices

Container xChange offers complete transparency, with all the prices stated upfront. This means you can browse and compare multiple container offers at the same time to find the options that best fit your budget. You’re also able to negotiate directly with the seller if you feel the price is too high. 

0% commission and fees

On xChange, we don’t charge any commission on deals. So the price you agree on with a partner is the amount you’ll shell out or be paid. No unwanted surprises, and no added fees while buying containers.

Vetted partners

All members on xChange have to undergo a mandatory background check, so you can rest assured all partners you work with will be trustworthy and reliable. Plus, check out reviews and ratings before deciding who to work with.

7-day window period to check the quality 

When you buy a container on xChange, you’ll have 7 days to check the container’s condition and make sure you’re happy with your purchase. If the container you’ve received does match the offer, you can choose to swap the unit or receive a refund.

Ready to start getting the containers you need for your container business now? The first step is organizing a demo with our expert team, who’ll give you a sneak peek of the marketplace and show you exactly how you can use it to make profits with containers. So click below to start your journey with us today.

Shipping container business: Common FAQs

How to start a shipping container business?

When starting a shipping container business, you’ll need to do your market research, create a business plan and find a safe and secure marketplace to buy containers for the best prices.

How can I make profits with shipping containers?

There are many ways to make profits using shipping containers. These include buying in low demand areas and selling in high demand areas, modifying containers into homes, bars, cafes or offices, or buying, leasing out and then selling units for a profit.

What are the top shipping container business ideas?

Top shipping container business ideas include becoming a shipping container trader and selling containers for profits, or modifying containers into homes, bars, pools or cafes before selling them.