Walk our yard. Pick your own box. Take it home.
That is the part national container sellers cannot offer you. At Any Way You Want It Moving & Storage, you choose the exact 20 foot shipping container you want before it ships. We have stocked containers at our three Minnesota yards since 1997.
We keep 20ft containers in Grand Rapids, Ellendale and Stewartville. You can buy, rent, or rent to own any unit on the lot.
The 20 foot container is the most requested size we sell. It holds a three-bedroom house worth of furniture. It still fits on a standard driveway.
20 Foot Shipping Container Dimensions and Weight
A 20ft container is a standard ISO unit. Every one is built to the same external size, so the numbers below hold across manufacturers.
Exterior dimensions
- Length: 20 feet (6.06 m)
- Width: 8 feet (2.44 m)
- Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m)
- Footprint: 160 square feet
Interior dimensions
Interior size varies slightly by builder. Plan on these figures:
- Length: about 19 feet 4 inches
- Width: about 7 feet 8 inches
- Height: about 7 feet 10 inches
- Floor space: roughly 146 square feet
- Volume: roughly 1,170 cubic feet
Door opening
The double cargo doors open about 7 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet 6 inches high. That clears most pallets, ATVs and lawn equipment.
Weight
An empty 20ft container weighs about 4,850 to 5,200 pounds. Check the CSC plate on the door for the exact rated gross weight of your unit. Every container carries its own plate.
That weight matters for delivery. A 20 foot box is heavy enough to sink into soft ground. Gravel, crushed rock or railroad ties under the corner castings solve it.
20 foot high cube containers
A high cube adds one foot of height. The exterior runs 9 feet 6 inches instead of 8 feet 6 inches. Interior height jumps to about 8 feet 10 inches.
High cubes suit tall equipment, shelving racks and workshop conversions. We list the 9 foot 6 inch high cube as an option on our 20 foot units. Ask about current availability when you call.
20 Foot Shipping Containers for Sale: New, One-Trip and Used
Condition drives price more than any other factor. Here is what the grades mean.
New or one-trip. Built overseas, loaded once, shipped to North America. Clean paint, tight seals, no dents worth mentioning. This is the best-looking option and the most expensive.
Cargo worthy. Certified fit for international shipping. Structurally sound with surface rust and dents. Good value if looks do not matter.
Wind and water tight. No longer certified for ocean freight, but sealed against rain and snow. The most common choice for on-site storage.
As-is. Sold with known flaws. Cheap, and only worth it if you plan to modify or cut the unit anyway.
For Minnesota winters, wind and water tight is the practical floor. Anything less lets snowmelt in.
Every container we deliver is wind and watertight, rodent-proof, and fitted with lockable doors and solid floors. We inspect each one before it leaves the yard.
See what we currently have in the container gallery, or drive to a yard and inspect the units yourself.
20ft Shipping Container Rental and Rent to Own
Not every job needs a purchase.
We keep over 400 units in stock across the three yards, so a 20ft container is almost always available.
Rent when the need has an end date. Remodels, seasonal overflow, harvest storage, a move that stalled. We deliver, you fill it, we pick it up.
Rent by the day, week, month or year. Rentals run month to month with no long-term contract and no lock-in.
Rent to own when you want the container but not the upfront cost. Your payments build toward ownership instead of disappearing.
Buy when the container stays on your property for good.
Full terms are on our container rental page. Our drivers use tilt-bed and side-loading trailers, so we can move full or empty units either way.
How Much Does a 20 Foot Shipping Container Cost?
Renting a 20ft container
Rental pricing in our service area runs $95 to $150 per month for a 20 foot unit. That is competitive with a traditional self-storage unit of similar size, and the container sits on your property instead of across town.
We break the full cost picture down in our guide to shipping container rental costs in Grand Rapids.
Buying a 20ft container
Purchase price moves with four things:
- Condition grade. New one-trip units cost the most. As-is units cost the least.
- Distance. Delivery is priced from the nearest yard to your site.
- Modifications. Doors, vents, insulation and paint each add to the total.
- Current stock. Container prices track the shipping market and shift through the year.
Across the US market in 2026, used 20 foot containers commonly list between $1,400 and $3,500, and new one-trip units commonly list between $2,400 and $3,000. Buying from a yard 80 miles away instead of 800 miles away takes a large piece out of the delivered total.
Call us for the current price on the units sitting in the yard right now.
A note on containers priced under $1,000
You will see those listings. Almost all of them are fake.
Container fraud follows a pattern. A price far under market, stock photos, no yard address, and pressure to wire money. The buyer sends payment and nothing arrives.
Buying from a local yard removes that risk entirely. You can stand next to the container before you pay. Read our customer reviews and then come see the unit.
What Fits Inside a 20ft Shipping Container?
At roughly 1,170 cubic feet, a 20 foot container swallows more than most people expect.
- The contents of a two- or three-bedroom house
- A full garage worth of tools, benches and yard equipment
- Around 10 standard pallets on the floor
- One car, with room left over
- Retail or restaurant inventory during a remodel
A car does fit. Interior width is 7 feet 8 inches and length is 19 feet 4 inches, which clears a sedan or a small SUV. You will need a ramp or a forklift to get it in, and you should measure your mirrors first.
Contractors use 20ft units as lockable job site storage. Our guide to securing tools on a construction site covers that setup.
20 Foot Container Doors, Colors and Modifications
A 20ft box does not have to stay a plain box. We offer:
- Doors at both ends for drive-through access
- Side doors for easier loading in tight spots
- Roll-up doors
- Vents and lighting
- Shelving
- Custom paint, including camo
- A choice of stock colors
We modify units in-house. See the full list on our container modifications page, or read our guide to customized containers.
Tell us the job and we will tell you what the container needs.
20 Foot Container Delivery Across Minnesota
We deliver from three yards, so most of the state sits within a reasonable haul. We serve Duluth, Rochester, Owatonna, Minneapolis and the surrounding five-state area.
How much space you need
A 20 foot container needs a flat spot about 8 feet wide and 22 feet long, plus room for the truck to back in. A 40 foot unit needs roughly twice the length.
We place containers at ground level using tilt-bed and side-loading trailers. No crane, no crane bill.
Before delivery day:
- Clear the drop path of vehicles, branches and low wires
- Choose level ground, or level it first
- Lay gravel or blocking under the four corners
- Mark the exact spot you want it
We confirm site access with you before the truck leaves the yard. Full details are on our container delivery page.
Why Buy From a Minnesota Container Yard
National sellers ship you a container sight unseen. You get a photo and a promise.
We do it the other way around.
- Inspect before you buy. Walk the yard, open the doors, check the floor.
- Local drivers. The person delivering knows the roads and the frost line.
- Shorter hauls. Three yards means less distance and lower delivery cost.
- One phone call. You reach us, not a call center.
- Since 1997. We have been placing containers on Minnesota ground for nearly three decades.
More on our story on the about us page.
Compare 20ft to Other Container Sizes
Not sure 20 feet is right?
- A 10 foot container fits small cleanouts, tight lots and tool storage.
- A 40 foot container holds large homes, fleet equipment and commercial inventory.
We also stock mini units as small as 5 feet by 10 feet for jobs that do not need a full container.
The 20 foot unit sits in the middle, which is why it outsells every other size we carry.
20 Foot Shipping Container FAQs
What are the exact dimensions of a 20 foot shipping container?
Exterior measurements are 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches high. Interior space runs about 19 feet 4 inches by 7 feet 8 inches by 7 feet 10 inches.
How much does an empty 20ft container weigh?
Between 4,850 and 5,200 pounds. The CSC plate on the door lists the exact rated figures for that unit.
How much does it cost to rent a 20 foot container?
Rentals in our area run $95 to $150 per month. Size, rental length and delivery distance move the number.
Will a car fit in a 20ft container?
Yes. Most sedans and small SUVs fit with room to spare. You need a ramp or forklift to load, and you should check your mirror width against the 7 foot 8 inch door opening.
Is it cheaper to buy a container or build a shed?
It depends on size and finish. A container needs no build time and locks up tighter. A small shed can cost less and looks more residential. A container also moves when you move.
Do I need a permit for a shipping container in Minnesota?
Rules vary by city and county. Some allow containers on residential lots with no permit. Others restrict placement, screening or duration. Call your local zoning office before delivery day.
How much space do I need for a 20 foot container?
A flat spot about 8 feet wide and 22 feet long, plus room for the truck to back in. We set containers at ground level with tilt-bed and side-loading trailers, so you do not need a crane.
Can I pick out my own container?
Yes. Come to the Grand Rapids, Ellendale or Stewartville yard and choose the exact unit.
Get a Quote on Your 20 Foot Container
Tell us what you are storing and where it is going. We will price it.
Call (218) 326-0397 in Grand Rapids or (800) 542-0036 for Ellendale and Stewartville. You can also request a free quote online.
