The Complete Container Buyer's Guide for St. Petersburg
Everything you need to know before buying a shipping container in St. Petersburg, FL — sizes, conditions, prices, and how to choose the right one for your project.
Container Sizes Comparison
Four standard sizes to fit every project — from compact storage to full-size homes
| Specification | 20ft Standard | 20ft High Cube | 40ft Standard | 40ft High Cube Most Popular for Homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External Dimensions | 20' x 8' x 8'6" | 20' x 8' x 9'6" | 40' x 8' x 8'6" | 40' x 8' x 9'6" |
| Internal Dimensions | 19'4" x 7'8" x 7'10" | 19'4" x 7'8" x 8'10" | 39'5" x 7'8" x 7'10" | 39'5" x 7'8" x 8'10" |
| Door Opening | 7'8" x 7'6" | 7'8" x 8'5" | 7'8" x 7'6" | 7'8" x 8'5" |
| Floor Area | 150 sq ft | 150 sq ft | 304 sq ft | 304 sq ft |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,170 cu ft | 1,390 cu ft | 2,390 cu ft | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare Weight | 4,916 lbs | 5,071 lbs | 8,160 lbs | 8,775 lbs |
| Max Payload | 47,900 lbs | 47,750 lbs | 59,040 lbs | 58,425 lbs |
| Material | Corten steel | Corten steel | Corten steel | Corten steel |
| Floor Type | Marine-grade plywood | Marine-grade plywood | Marine-grade plywood | Marine-grade plywood |
The 40ft High Cube is our most popular choice for tiny homes and ADUs — 304 sq ft of living space with an extra foot of headroom.
Container Conditions Explained
Understanding grade, age, and what to expect from each condition level
1-TRIP One-Trip
Nearly new — shipped once from overseas and retired from service. Minimal cosmetic wear with full manufacturer warranty. The cleanest option for living spaces and premium builds.
Best for: Premium builds, living spaces, showroom quality
CWO Cargo Worthy
Certified for international shipping (ISO/CSC). Passed structural inspection. Working cosmetic wear — minor dents and surface patina. The best balance of quality and value for conversion projects.
Best for: Most conversion projects, homes, offices, workshops
WWT Wind & Water Tight
Sealed against wind and rain but no longer certified for ocean freight. Visible signs of service life — surface rust, dents, patina. Solid choice for storage, workshops, and budget-conscious builds.
Best for: Storage, workshops, budget builds
AS-IS As-Is
Sold in current condition without guarantees. May have significant cosmetic damage — heavy rust, dents, small holes. Best for experienced builders, fencing, or non-critical storage projects.
Best for: DIY projects, fencing, non-critical storage
Side-by-Side Condition Comparison
| Attribute | One-Trip | Cargo Worthy | Wind & Water Tight | As-Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Range | 6-18 months | 5-15 years | 15+ years | 18+ years |
| Appearance | Near-new, minimal wear | Working wear, minor dents | Visible rust, dents, patina | Heavy wear, possible holes |
| Structural Integrity | ||||
| Conversion Suitability | Excellent | Great | Good | Limited |
| Prep Work Needed | Minimal | Light | Moderate | Significant |
| 20ft Price Range | $2,800 - $3,100 | $1,450 - $1,750 | $1,200 - $1,450 | $950 - $1,100 |
| 40ft Price Range | $3,400 - $3,800 | $2,100 - $2,450 | $1,700 - $2,000 | $1,350 - $1,600 |
Full Price Matrix
All 16 size-condition combinations with current St. Petersburg pricing
| Container | One-Trip | Cargo Worthy | Wind & Water Tight | As-Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | $2,800 | $1,450 | $1,200 | $950 |
| 20ft High Cube | $3,100 | $1,750 | $1,450 | $1,100 |
| 40ft Standard | $3,400 | $2,100 | $1,700 | $1,350 |
| 40ft High Cube | $3,800 | $2,450 | $2,000 | $1,600 |
Prices are for the container only and do not include delivery. Delivery starts at $150 for local St. Petersburg drops.
How to Choose the Right Container
Three approaches to finding the perfect match for your project
Approach 1: Choose by Project Type
Tiny Home / ADU
You need space to live in and headroom for insulation and ceiling finishes.
40ft High Cube, Cargo Worthy
304 sq ft, 8'10" interior height, $2,450
Office / Studio
A compact space for focused work — 20ft is enough for a single office or studio.
20ft High Cube, Cargo Worthy
150 sq ft, 8'10" interior height, $1,750
Storage
Secure storage does not need premium condition — WWT or As-Is saves money.
20ft or 40ft Standard, WWT
From $1,200 (20ft) to $1,700 (40ft)
Retail / Pop-Up Shop
Customer-facing business needs clean exterior and good height for signage.
20ft High Cube, One-Trip
150 sq ft, near-new finish, $3,100
Workshop / Garage
A hands-on space that needs room to move and store equipment.
40ft Standard, WWT
304 sq ft, strong value, $1,700
Premium Build / Showroom
When appearance and build quality matter most — the cleanest possible shell.
40ft High Cube, One-Trip
304 sq ft, near-new, $3,800
Approach 2: Choose by Available Space
Tight Lot / Driveway
Under 25 feet of clear length available.
20ft Container (any height)
Fits in a standard parking space. 20' x 8' footprint.
Full Backyard / Open Lot
45+ feet of clear length with good truck access.
40ft Container (any height)
Doubles your space. 40' x 8' footprint.
Approach 3: Choose by Budget
Under $1,500
Budget-friendly options for storage and basic projects.
20ft STD As-Is: $950
20ft STD WWT: $1,200
20ft HC As-Is: $1,100
$1,500 - $2,500
Mid-range — great value for conversions and workshops.
20ft HC CW: $1,750
40ft STD WWT: $1,700
40ft STD CW: $2,100
40ft HC WWT: $2,000
$2,500+
Premium containers for living spaces, retail, and showroom quality builds.
20ft HC 1-Trip: $3,100
40ft HC CW: $2,450
40ft HC 1-Trip: $3,800
Decision Flowchart
Follow the questions to find your ideal container in under 60 seconds
What will you use it for?
Pick the primary purpose
Need max headroom?
40ft HC
Cargo Worthy
40ft HC
WWT
How much space?
40ft STD
WWT or As-Is
20ft STD
WWT or As-Is
Budget priority?
40ft STD
WWT
40ft HC
Cargo Worthy
Need ceiling height?
20ft HC
One-Trip
20ft STD
Cargo Worthy
Buying FAQ
Common questions about the container buying process
Ready to Buy?
Get a personalized quote for your container — delivered to your St. Petersburg property