Shipping container investment: Make easy profits with our guide [2024]

Considering a shipping container investment? This blog is your go-to resource for investing in this versatile asset. Read on to learn how you can make big profits and grow your business with Container xChange now. 

Shipping containers hold both material and functional value, so they’re always a good investment option. So how do you start investing in containers? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the various ways in which you can go about it. 

The first step is buying containers at the best price, of course. 

Luckily, on Container xChange, you can find the units you need at a price that suits your budget. We’re a neutral marketplace for trading and leasing, with over 100,000 containers available in 2,500+ locations globally — making the job of finding equipment from reliable suppliers easy. 

Check out how the platform works right now. Simply select your location and the container type you’re interested in to browse and compare offers today.

Find containers online

Shipping container investment: Why invest in containers?

In 2022, the global shipping container market was valued at US $14 billion. And it’s projected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.68%, reaching over US $18.2 billion in value by the year 2027. 

If you’re looking for a container investment opportunity that allows you to strengthen and diversify your portfolio, equipment trading and leasing is a good start. 

Here, you’re investing in markets that demand container services across a wide variety of industries. So starting a shipping container business has serious potential for long-term success.

Need more reasons to invest in containers? Read on.

Top reasons to invest in shipping containers

The top reasons to invest in shipping containers are as follows:

Tangible assets: Shipping containers are hard assets with functional and material value. This means that you’ll always be able to lease them out or sell them, provided they’re in decent condition.

Potential for steady income: Buying, selling, and leasing out containers means a regular stream of income. Whether you choose to buy and then sell at a higher price, or lease out your equipment, you’ll make money regularly.

Constantly growing industry: The shipping industry currently accounts for 80% of world trade by volume and more than 70% by value. Investing in an asset integral to a growing industry is always a smart move, don’t you think?

In-demand asset: Containers are essential for world trade, so as long as the shipping industry exists, you can make money from your containers.

Reusable: Shipping containers are strong and sturdy reusable assets that can last for up to 25 years. The potential return on investment is huge, especially if you’re planning on leasing out containers long-term.

Want to start investing in shipping containers right away? With Container xChange, you can buy, sell and lease shipping containers at the best prices today.

Now that you know why investing in containers is a good idea, let’s take a look at the different ways you can use them to make a profit. 

3 ways to invest in shipping containers

There are three main avenues for turning profits with containers. Let’s learn more about each of them below.

Buy and sell containers

The first method involves purchasing containers at low prices and selling them at higher prices. So how do you do this? First things first, you need to buy containers. 

The easiest way to do this is through an online trading marketplace like Container xChange. Here, you can browse and buy shipping containers in low-demand or surplus areas, at prices that suit your budget.

Next, keep an eye out for locations with shipping container deficits (shortages), as this is where your containers will be in high demand. 

This is easier with a tool like xChange Insights, where you can track price trends in 180+ locations. Insights helps you make smart trading and leasing decisions, by equipping you with the data you need to find good deals and avoid being ripped off. Once you’ve found a high-demand area, sell your equipment at a profit.

Want a quick example? For just US $760, you can buy a cargo-worthy 20ft container in Nhava Sheva, India. Then, sell it in a high-demand location like Minneapolis, USA, for around US $2,500.

Here you’re making a profit of US $1,740. And this is for just one unit — imagine what you could make on multiple containers! Learn more about how you can profit from this method today. 

Conway Containers is an international container trader that uses Container xChange to trade and reposition equipment. Check out what they have to say about the platform below: 

“[xChange] is easy to use with a quick cash turnover. After the transaction, money is debited directly from our wallet account and that’s a huge advantage.”

Read more about how Conway uses xChange to make profits right now.

Buy, reposition, and sell containers

The second method also starts with purchasing containers at low prices in surplus areas. 

Next, lease out your containers to move them to a higher-demand area. Make sure to use a safe and secure online marketplace for this, such as the xChange leasing platform. 

Here you can find shippers for your route, decide on the leasing rates that suit you, and negotiate all terms and conditions directly with the shipper.

Once the containers have been moved to a high-demand area, sell them again at a higher price, to make a profit. 

In general, these are some of the most popular stretches if you want to make money:

Let’s look at a quick example of the ‘buy, reposition, and sell’ method now. You purchase a 20ft shipping container in Nhava Sheva, India, for US $760. 

After researching high-demand areas, you learn that containers are selling at higher prices in Shenzhen, China. So you lease out your equipment from Nhava Sheva to Shenzhen. The pick-up charge is US $150. 

Once the container has been repositioned, you sell it for around US $1,235. Overall, you’re making US $625 in profits per container. 

Lease out containers for one-way moves

For this method, you purchase shipping containers and then lease them out for one-way moves. 

Here, you buy containers to form a fleet, and then lease them out to make money. To profit with this method, you’ll need to be sure you’re leasing your equipment along popular stretches with high pick-up charges. Luckily, you can find high-return stretches on the Container xChange platform today.

Orange CL, an NVOCC, has successfully leased out 7000+ containers over the last 2 years using the xChange leasing marketplace. Jack Sun, the co-owner of OCL, says:

“The leasing platform offers us far better opportunities and rates compared to if we did it ourselves or took to the open market path. Also, we get a much wider reach, deal with only reliable partners, and transact with full security compared to other alternatives.”

Read more about how Orange Containers uses the xChange leasing platform to find vetted partners to work with here. 

Now you know the three main ways you can use containers to turn a profit. Investing in shipping containers can be highly profitable, especially when considering different conditions available. On Container xChange, you can explore shipping containers for sale that range from brand-new to used units. This variety allows you to select containers that fit your budget and investment strategy, ensuring optimal returns.

Benefits of investing in shipping containers on xChange

So you’ve got your shipping container investment method in mind. Next on the list is to figure out where you’re going to do all of your business.

Container xChange has both leasing and trading platforms, so you can buy, sell, and lease out containers in one convenient place. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy as a member:

Price transparency: An important requirement for trading and leasing is price transparency. On xChange, all prices and leasing rates are stated upfront. Finally, access real-time market prices on a global level. 

Negotiable prices and 0% commission: We charge 0% commission on all our deals. Plus, prices and rates are completely negotiable. What’s more, deal directly with partners—no fuss, no middlemen.

100% online and digital: Container xChange is completely online, so you can run all of your operations remotely. No physical infrastructure is needed to trade in over 2,500 locations around the world. Plus, you can find a network of shipping industry players to do business with any time you need.

Safe payments: We know how important safe payments are. On our platform, all finances are managed via the xChange Wallet, which is 100% secure. 

With all of these benefits, you’re completely set to manage your container investments in one convenient place. Want to get started right away? Click below to learn how you can profit from buying, selling, and leasing out shipping containers on xChange today. 

What you need to know before investing in shipping containers

Before you start your investment journey, here are some important things to keep in mind. 

What are the best container types for investment?

Generally, standard containers are the most popular containers in the industry. So these should be your first choice when it comes to investing in shipping containers. This includes 20ft, 40ft and 40ft HC equipment, used to ship clothing, electronics, and grains. 

Reefer containers are another viable option, as they’re extremely important for transporting temperature-sensitive goods and keeping the cold chain intact. 

Is it better to invest in new or used containers?

Before investing in a container, you’ll need to decide between new and used equipment.

New, or ‘one-trip’ containers are usually in good condition, and you can easily confirm that nothing toxic has been transported in them. The downside? They’re considerably more expensive. A new 20ft will cost you around US $2,245. 

Used, or ‘cargo-worthy’ containers may be older, but they’re still certified safe for shipping cargo. This means they’re structurally sound just like one-trip containers, only more budget-friendly. 

You can buy a used 20ft container in the United States for US $1,320. That’s a difference of US $925 between new and used 20ft units. The choice is yours. Find more prices for 20ft shipping containers here. 

What is the current container market situation?

The container market fluctuates constantly and is affected by both micro and macro world affairs. 

It’s important to keep up-to-date with the market situation, as it can have a major impact on container prices. Want to receive shipping news, container prices, and industry insights, all in one neat document? Download our monthly ‘Where are all the Containers?’ report for the latest in container logistics and business now.

Possible risks involved with investing in containers

As with any kind of investment, there are always risks involved. So, it’s better to be aware of them before diving in. When it comes to shipping containers, keep the following in mind: 

Market risk: Prices are always changing, so there is the risk that over time, fluctuations could affect your return on investment (ROI). Especially if you sell at the wrong time.

Maintenance, accidents and loss: Containers can get damaged and even lost at sea. This is why it’s important to have container insurance so that you can recover your money if disaster strikes. 

Depreciation: Even though containers are an in-demand asset, they still depreciate over time. Especially, if they get damaged or have undergone numerous repairs during their lifetime. 

Financial risk: Sometimes, untrustworthy lessees or buyers can default on payments, resulting in financial losses for you and your business. 

These risks might sound alarming. But don’t worry, there are things you can do to minimize them. Let’s take a look at how xChange can help you with this in the next section.

How to safely invest in shipping containers

Risks are a part of any investment. However, with a safe online platform like Container xChange, you can minimize and even completely avoid some of them. Let’s learn how.

Vetted suppliers

When selling equipment or leasing it out for profit, you run the risk of unreliable partners going back on their word or defaulting on payments. The good news is that xChange vets every member. 

So you can relax, knowing that any partner you work with will be reliable and trustworthy. What’s more, you’ll have access to the most reputable names in the industry, right from the get-go. Check out our company profiles to learn more.  

Secure payments 

With the xChange Wallet, you have only one payment partner to deal with. All payments are credited in real time, and you can check all credits and charges online in one place. 

Transparent and data-driven

We’re a completely neutral and transparent platform. All prices are stated upfront, and we don’t take any commission on deals. So you can rest assured, the prices you decide on are the prices you’ll pay. 

So how do you get started? First things first, you’ll need to schedule your free demo with one of our helpful experts. They’ll give you a sneak peek of the platform, and answer any burning questions you may have. 

Want to learn all about how you can use xChange to invest in containers and make profits in no time at all? Click below to kickstart your container investment journey with us now.

Shipping container investment: Common FAQs

Are shipping containers a good investment?

You can make big profits buying shipping containers in low-demand areas, and selling them in high-demand areas. You can also make money by leasing shipping containers out along popular stretches. The potential return on investment is especially high if you're planning on leasing out containers long term.

How do I invest in shipping containers?

If you want to invest in containers you’ll need a safe and secure marketplace to conduct your trading and leasing activities on. You’ll also have to keep up-to-date with the latest price trends so that you can make smart business decisions.

How long do shipping containers last?

Most shipping container businesses depreciate their units over 10-12 years, and then retire them to be used for storage. However, shipping containers not in heavy use generally have a lifespan of between 25 and 30 years.