How Much Does an Empty Conex Box Cost?
Shopping for a conex box on its own can feel confusing, mostly because “empty” means different things to different people and prices seem to shift week to week. Here we’ll answer it straight, break down what you’ll pay by size and condition, and cover the extras that show up beyond the sticker price. For the wider picture, our overview of Conex Container Rentals is a good companion, and if you’re leaning toward a pre-owned box, our buyer’s rundown, used conex box for sale, digs into that side. Let’s get into the numbers.
Just the steel box: a used 20 ft starts at $1,979 and a one-trip 20 ft runs $3,389, before delivery.
What “empty” means, and the real prices
When people ask how much an empty conex box costs, they usually mean the box by itself, with no cargo, no contents, nothing loaded inside. Just the steel box, ready for whatever you plan to store or build out. That distinction matters, because pricing tracks two things: size and condition.
Size is the first lever. A 20 ft box is the workhorse for most buyers, while 40 ft options give you the most room, with the high cube adding an extra foot of ceiling. Condition is the second. A one-trip box has made a single voyage and shows up in like-new shape, while a used box shows honest wear from years at sea but still locks up tight and keeps weather out. Here’s where our pricing sits right now:
- Used 20 ft: $1,979
- Used 40 ft: $2,569
- Used 40 ft high cube: $2,819
- One-trip 20 ft: $3,389
- One-trip 40 ft high cube: $4,559
- One-trip 40 ft tunnel (doors both ends): Call for pricing
The pattern is simple: one-trip boxes sit at the top because you’re paying for a fresh, uniform, like-new box, while a used box can be the smart buy for storage where appearance takes a back seat to value.
Costs beyond the sticker price
The box price is only part of the total. Delivery is the big one, and the charge depends on distance and how tricky your site is to reach. Placement matters too: a standard truck needs at least 80 feet of straight backing room for a 20, and a 40 needs a hard 100 feet with no workaround. When space is too tight for the 80 feet, a tow truck can set a 20 in just 50 feet, though it costs more. You’ll also want a solid, level surface, a clear overhead path, and an entry wide enough for a semi and trailer, so a little site prep sometimes belongs in the budget.
Market cycles move the sticker price too. When container availability is high and shipping demand cools, prices ease. When supply tightens, quotes climb. That’s why the real cost of an empty conex box can look different from one quarter to the next, and why a fresh quote beats guessing.
Rent versus buy, and how buying works
If you only need a box for a project or an uncertain stretch of time, renting can make more sense than owning. Renting is for businesses only, and every rental is one-trip, so it shows up looking sharp for customer-facing sites. Buying is open to both companies and individuals, which makes a purchase the right move for a homeowner who wants permanent on-site storage or a business with a long-term, fixed-location need. For a deeper look at the rent-or-buy decision, see how much a 20 ft conex costs.
The buying process is simple: you get a quote, you accept it, and delivery gets scheduled as soon as possible, which is usually fast. What you won’t run into is a pile of add-ons. Our no-fee pricing means no fuel surcharges, no property fees, and no excise taxes tacked on after the fact, so the number on your quote is the number you pay, with sales tax the only legal exception. We keep ordering, billing, and delivery online, so you can see pricing and move at your own pace.
Ready to lock in your size and see real numbers? Check current pricing and inventory online and get moving today.
