Shipping containers have become increasingly popular in Ireland for both storage and conversion purposes. The 20ft size is one of the most common and useful. Here’s a complete guide to buying a 20ft shipping container in Ireland, including prices, where to find them, what to look for, and how to transport and convert one.
Overview of 20ft Shipping Containers
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20ft containers are 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet 6 inches tall, providing 1,170 cubic feet of space. Other common sizes are 40ft and 10ft containers.
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They are made of corrugated weathering steel with a marine grade paint finish, making them durable and secure. Lockboxes can be fitted.
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Main uses are storage, site offices workshops, cabins, accommodation and retail units. They can be stacked and modified with doors, windows, electrics etc.
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A new 20ft container costs €3,000-€4,000. Used containers are much cheaper from €500-€2,000 depending on age and condition.
Buying a Used 20ft Container in Ireland
There are two main options for sourcing a used 20ft shipping container in Ireland:
Online Classifieds Sites
Popular classifieds sites like DoneDeal and Adverts.ie have dozens of listings for used containers. Sellers include private individuals, dealers, and plant hire companies across Ireland.
- Listings provide details like location, price, age, condition, modifications etc. Most include photos.
- Prices range widely from just a few hundred euro up to €2,000-€3,000.
- Be sure to check condition carefully before purchase.
Container Yards and Suppliers
There are depots and suppliers around Ireland that stock used containers available for sale. These include
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Irish Plant Sales in Galway
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Burke Plant & Scaffolding in Dublin
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Store it Away Containers in Cork
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Clareco Scaffolding & Cabins in Limerick
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Calnan Group in Cork
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Prices are generally €1,000-€2,500 but sometimes more for refurbished containers.
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Advantage is being able to inspect thoroughly before buying.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Container
Important things to check when viewing a used 20ft container:
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Structural Condition – Check all walls, doors, floor and roof for dents, damage, holes or repairs. Reject major damage. Surface rust is ok.
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Door Operation – Do doors open/close smoothly? Check hinges and lockbox.
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Weather Tightness – Open doors and check for leaks around door seals, walls, and roof seams.
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Interior Condition – Is it water damaged or very dirty inside? Any repairs needed?
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Electrical Wiring – Open electrical boxes to inspect wiring tidiness and condition.
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Modifications – Have doors/walls been cut? Do modifications look safe and tidy?
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Identifying Marks – Note any stickers, codes, or markings that identify age, origin, ownership etc.
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Chassis Condition – Check underneath for severe rust or damage. Surface rust is normal.
Transporting Containers in Ireland
Containers weighing up to 3 tonnes can be towed on a trailer behind a truck or tractor without a permit. Heavier containers need a vehicle permit from the Road Safety Authority. Key considerations:
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Use a low loader trailer for easiest loading/unloading. A crane or forklift will be needed to lift container.
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Clear route in advance – low bridges and narrow roads can cause issues.
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Secure container firmly using chains/ratchet straps and check at regular intervals during transport.
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Drive slowly and give extra space for braking.
Where to Buy Containers in Ireland
Here are some of the best places to find used 20ft containers for sale in Ireland:
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DoneDeal – Ireland’s largest classifieds site regularly has dozens of container listings across the country.
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Adverts.ie – Another good source of containers from private and trade sellers nationwide.
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Irish Plant Sales, Galway – Large depot stocking containers in Oranmore. Also do delivery.
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Burke Plant & Scaffolding, Dublin – Container supplier based in Coolock with refurbished stock.
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Clareco Scaffolding & Cabins, Limerick – Sell used containers in good condition from their Ennis Road depot.
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Calnan Group, Cork – Building supplier with depots in Cork, Limerick and Galway selling used containers.
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Store it Away Containers, Cork – Specialist container company based in Little Island, Cork.
Prices for Used 20ft Containers
Prices for used 20ft containers in Ireland generally range from:
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€500 – €1,000 – Older, more worn containers needing repairs.
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€1,000 – €1,500 – Used but still good usable condition. Surface rust.
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€1,500 – €2,000 – Excellent used condition, minimal rust/damage.
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€2,000 – €3,000 – Refurbished as new, full paint finish, modifications.
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€3,000+ – Newly manufactured containers direct from the supplier.
Location, seller, age, condition and any modifications can greatly affect price. It pays to shop around.
Converting Containers for Habitation or Business Use
Before modifying a container, check your local county council planning rules. Permitted development uses may include:
- Home office
- Workshop
- Storing equipment
- Site cabin
For any dwelling use, change of use, or business open to the public, full planning permission is normally required.
When converting a container, common modifications include:
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Doors and windows – cut openings and fit doors, window frames, shutters etc.
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Insulation – install foam insulation panels to walls, floor and ceiling.
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Electrics – wire for lighting, sockets, heater.
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Plumbing – for bathroom with toilet, shower, sink.
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Interior lining – plywood, plasterboard.
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Flooring – wood floor panels, vinyl, tiles etc.
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Exterior finish – paint, cladding.
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Accessories – guttering, smoke alarm, ventilation, shelves etc.
For any major structural alterations, check with an engineer. Be sure to waterproof and use mould/rot resistant materials.
With careful shopping and transport arrangements, an inexpensive used shipping container can be converted into a useful storage unit, workshop or even unique accommodation.
A 20ft size offers ample space at a manageable length for transport. Be sure to inspect condition thoroughly before purchase. Allow for the cost of any repairs or modifications needed.
With the right planning and work, a simple used shipping container can become a convenient, stylish and valuable asset. They provide a blank canvas for all sorts of innovative DIY projects.
LOOKING TO BUY SHIPPING CONTAINERS? WE HAVE THOUSANDS ALL OVER IRELAND
Our world-famous shipping containers are exactly what you need when you want to protect your goods. They are made to keep out wind and rain and give your products or personal items a tough place to stay while they are being shipped.
You can buy shipping containers in lengths from 20ft to 40ft, but the 20ft model is by far the most popular. We have TITAN depots all over Ireland, so we can offer delivery costs that are often surprisingly low.
Visit our storage container sales page if you want to buy a big container to give you more space outside your home or business.
A CRITICAL LINK IN YOUR GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION CHAIN
Everyone who ships things knows or will quickly learn about TITAN Containers, no matter how long they’ve been in the business. That’s because we’ve been selling shipping containers across Ireland for decades.
Customers trust us because we have the freight containers, knowledge, and “can-do” spirit to get them what they need quickly.
Our shipping containers are used by:
- International agricultural businesses
- Construction firms
- Retailers and wholesalers
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Automotive and aerospace clients
- And many more kinds of business
Customers who want a strong way to move things around the country or around the world will find exactly what they need in our shipping containers. And you can choose from brand-new (1-trip) containers or used models in various conditions.
Our shipping containers for sale can meet all of your needs, whether you run a logistics or supply chain business for a long time or this is your first time exporting.
We offer them in two main sizes: 20ft shipping containers and 40-footers. Need the biggest possible container? Choose a 40ft high cube, which has 10% more height. Smaller models are available, too. The smallest we sell is just 6ft deep.
Our entire collection is made from metal that doesn’t rust so it can handle the rough conditions of international shipping. Anyone can buy a shipping container from us, whether they’re moving within their own country or sending valuable items like a car to another country.
We can help you move anything if you need a strong shipping container, no matter what kind of customer you are.
Our containers are regularly used for:
- International trade: Some businesses in Britain buy shipping containers from Titan Ireland to be sure that the goods they send overseas will be sufficiently protected.
- Irish-wide shipping—keep valuable or fragile items safe in a special, high-quality shipping container
- If you’re moving your business to a new country, you can buy shipping containers from us to help you move large amounts of files, furniture, stock, and other things safely. TITAN’s 20-foot shipping containers are a good choice for many international moving needs.
- A new life abroad: If you’re moving to a different country, our shipping containers are often big enough to hold everything you need for your new home.
If you want to buy a shipping container to send things overseas on a container ship, you’ll need one that is either 20ft or 40ft. These are the only sizes that are accepted by most international shipping lines.
Your container will be:
- Wind and waterproof to keep your goods safe and dry
- Supplied with environmentally-friendly bamboo flooring
- Stackable up to 7 units high
- Delivered pre-cleaned and ready to go
- Fully air vented
- Supplied with 4 locking bars for extra security
- Comes with a strong lock box to keep your padlock safe (most of the time)
TITAN’s 20ft shipping container is just the right size for most needs. Not only is it pretty easy to move on the back of a truck or trailer, but it’s also easy to find in many of our Irish depots, so we can deliver quickly.
If you want to purchase this roomy 20-footer, the internal dimensions are as follows:
- Length – 5.90m
- Width – 2.29m
- Height – 2.38m
Our 20-foot shipping containers for sale are perfect for a wide range of businesses, such as grocery stores and other stores, farms, medicine suppliers, companies that make electronics, and more.
People all over Ireland choose us because we have a nationwide network of depots that allow us to offer great deals on delivery rates.
The floor space of a 20ft container is just a little smaller than the average living room. But don’t forget that you can stack goods to a height of 2. 38m, which means you can fit a lot of personal items inside, like TVs, furniture, beds, clothes, garden tools, equipment, and more.
There are different sizes of shipping containers that we can buy, but these won’t work on cargo ships. The external dimensions of our smaller options are:
- 6ft shipping container – 1. 98m x 1. 95m x 1. 91m (length, width, height).
- 8ft shipping container – 2.44m x 2.20m x 2.26m
- 9ft shipping container – 2.74m x 2.20m x 2.26m
- 10ft shipping container – 2.99m x 2.44m x 2.59m
And if you want something bigger, the container of choice for large loads is our 40-footer.
- 40ft shipping container – 12.19m x 2.44m x 2.59m
Our 40-footer is most commonly used for long-distance international transportation of goods. Smaller models, like 6ft, 8ft, 9ft, and 10 foot shipping containers, are better for moving smaller amounts of stuff within the United States.
As well as different-sized models, we have shipping containers to buy in other configurations, too. We offer:
High cube container sales – perfect for large loads as they come with an extra 10% of height.
Insulated container sales – helps to prevent fragile items from freezing.
Open sided container sales – great for wide loads, like support beams or wings.
One container can be split into two units or used right away as a “tunnel” with tunnel container sales.
We have more than 35 years of experience and have been a big name in the container business since the late 1980s. We now have one of the largest selections of shipping containers for sale in Ireland.
Really good prices—we can help you get a shipping container that works for you at a great price.
Fantastic customer service – clients rate us highly on Trustpilot, and many remain customers for decades. Our friendly service team is always happy to help.
Large range of accessories – we stock everything from locks to ramps and heaters.
To help save you money, we have built up a network of depots throughout Ireland.
Which helps us cut down on delivery times and, in turn, the price you pay for a shipping container from us.
We serve all of Ireland’s big cities, like Dublin, Belfast, Limerick, and Cork. Because we cover such a large area, we can also give you a personal, local service.
As with most container sales businesses, our containers are made in factories overseas. In other words, if you order a brand-new shipping container, it will already have been on a ship going to Ireland before it gets to your home or office.
It’s why the word ‘new’ isn’t used all that much in the world of shipping containers. We tend to say 1-trip instead. Your container will have brought goods into the country on its way in (it would be a waste to bring in an empty container), and you’ll be the first person to own it. So ‘new’ equals ‘1-trip’.
We have a highly skilled team of engineers who can help transform containers into almost anything.
This is the best way to convert containers for any size project, whether you need to make a mobile, modular base for a big construction project, like a dramatic piece of scenery for a concert or event, or you want a custom-made, containerized booth or room to take on the road to market your business.
Whatever your dream or vision, our container conversions team is happy to take your call.
We always have used, high-quality shipping containers and other stock items in Ireland that are ready to go at rock-bottom prices. Check out our latest special offers now!.
