Should You Buy or Rent a Shipping Container?

I started this blog to discuss information I've picked up in my new role, which might be useful for someone starting out in an industrial equipment supply role.

Should You Buy or Rent a Shipping Container?

Should You Buy or Rent a Shipping Container?

21 August 2015
 Categories:
, Blog


When you need to ship items overseas or by rail, you can actually rent shipping containers for this transit. When trying to decide if you should just buy the shipping containers you need for regular shipments or rent them from an outside company, remember that there are pros and cons to each decision; since shipping containers are sometimes a steep investment, you want to weigh those pros and cons carefully. Note a few factors to consider.

1. Customizing

Buying a shipping container gives you the option of having it customized to your specifications. This can mean painting your name, logo, and website on the side, or having it specially insulated so that the items you're shipping will not be affected by moisture or vibration. Modified containers can also be engineered on the inside so that they fit a particular product specifically; like creating a plastic mold for a product to protect it during shipping, this type of conversion can give your product an added layer of security when in transit.

2. Other uses

If you know that you will be using your shipping container for a one-time delivery and nothing more, then renting a container may be the right option. However, you might also consider if there are other uses for the container that would make buying the better choice. For example, do you need additional storage for your office or warehouse? You can put heavy-duty locks on your shipping container and use it for onsite storage. A shipping container can even have windows cut out or an air conditioning unit installed and be used as a secondary office. If you know of additional needs that can be served by your shipping container, you might invest in purchasing one.

3. Note storage costs

While buying a shipping container may seem like a good investment in certain circumstances, you want to ensure you're figuring all costs before you do this. For example, there may be a delivery cost to have it shipped to your warehouse, and if you don't have room on your property to store it, you might also wind up paying storage fees to a nearby facility. You might also need to pay a company to move your shipping container to your storage facility every time it's used. If you don't pay for storage and keep your container outside on your property, it may soon rust or show other damage.

Consider these factors and your storage options and note if it's better to rent or hire a container rather than having one delivered and then having to store it offsite. Contact professional shipping companies, like All Vic Containers, for more information and quotes. 

About Me
Industrial equipment supply chain learning curve

I have always worked in the supply chain department, but since moving to an industrial equipment supplier, I've been on a steep learning curve. We have so many pieces with multiple names or similar names, and I need to be able to work out which pieces can be substituted in an emergency and which pieces are not similar. It's been tricky for me to get my head around, so I started this blog to discuss some of the information I've picked up in this role, which might be useful for someone else just starting out in an industrial equipment supply role.