Shipping Container prices are dropping
It is with genuine delight we are able to confirm that the shortage of shipping containers appears to be over with container prices dropping significantly since the new year, and it looks like prices are just about normalising once again. In this article, we discuss the level of price drops when looking to buy a shipping container, and whether it’s a good time to buy a shipping container or not. 
The post-pandemic freight boom is over, and as a result, shipping lines have spare containers so they are now able to sell off their old used shipping containers again. With one trip (new) containers from the factories, the factories no longer have more demand than they can supply which has resulted in new container prices! Ex-factory containers have dropped significantly since their peak. A significant improvement in supply has led to a significant drop almost across the board. This is great news for our customers – and us too, as we believe prices are much more sustainable, and versus a lot of other competing options for a shipping container (eg a large wooden shed for a customer wanting a storage unit) prices for shipping containers over the next 12 months are likely to be more competitive than historical averages.
*Mini disclaimer, we can’t predict the future for certain, but we believe looking at the market today that price increases in the short term are unlikely *
Will container prices drop further?
This is very hard to predict. It is possible, with prices normalising, this means they are nearing their historical average price. Prices have of course been below average many times in the past.
What we have seen is a big drop in our prices over the November 2022-Feb 2023 period, prices have since remained largely static/stable both from the factory when buying new containers, and from shipping lines and leasing companies when buying used containers on the trade market. this seems to suggest a period of stability but as we say above, we aren’t fortune tellers, any predictions we make are purely our belief when looking at the industry and trade. To us it looks like in the short term, it is unlikely that there will be a further significant shift in shipping container prices.
Is now a good time to buy a shipping container?
OK, in all fairness – anyone trying to sell shipping containers going to tell you that now is a good time to buy – but we say it’s always a good time to buy a shipping container! This question is a bit like asking a bartender if now is a good time for a drink. You will only ever get one answer!
Buying a shipping container is very individual. A lot of customers are solving a problem and an issue. A shipping container often offers a good competitive option versus other available ‘solutions’ in the market, meaning that even an expensive shipping container may still be a very competitive option.
However, one big area for us is self-storage yards and supplying to regular customers. Many of these customers suspended new purchases when prices were very high, and these customers are now coming back on board. This is great to see and it may also help hold prices steady as more demand comes back into the marketplace. This is also another big reason why we feel it is unlikely that we will see further significant drops in prices in the near future.
What ranges of shipping containers are NOT getting cheaper?
In very general terms, standard or more common ranges are in better supply and will be cheaper as a result of this.
Some specialist ranges are still in very short supply – notably 40ft tunnels, 40ft high cube tunnels, new 40ft standard height containers, and 40ft side opening containers (both standard height and high cube).
Standard 40fts (both new and used) are holding a huge price as these are becoming very rare items. they have been in the process of being phased out by shipping lines for some time and very few remain in liner fleets. Less supply = high prices and this situation will only get worse in the coming years – and some years down the line, they may be near impossible to source.
Fortunately, 40ft high cubes (near identical containers but 30cm / 1ft taller) are in plentiful supply. For most customers, a 40ft high cube will be a suitable or even improved replacement option.
40ft tunnels (double doors at each end) and side openers (both standard height and high cubes) are also still very thin on the ground, meaning that prices remain very high for these items.
10ft one trip / new containers are also currently in short supply but prices are dropping, But prices are falling more slowly than other more common ranges currently.
Otherwise, from our perspective, nearly all other ranges are more or less back to normal in terms of supply and fair to good availability.
20ft tunnels and 20ft side opens have dropped a bit in price, but again these remain specialist items with small levels of stock, but we would suggest that we believe these prices have a little way further to go before we would call them ‘normalised’
In short, the more common the type of shipping container you are buying, the more it is likely to have dropped in price!
Do you need to buy a cheap shipping container?
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).