Shipping container costs in Perth, Western Australia can look completely different depending on which listing you are looking at, and that gap is not random. A used standard 20ft shipping container is typically listed from around $2,000 up to $3,500, and a new 20ft or 40ft shipping container generally ranges from about $3,500 through to $8,000 or more. If a price looks too good to be true, it usually is, and that is worth understanding before you commit to buy or hire.
ABC Containers’ Perth pricing guide sets these benchmarks based on real market conditions in Western Australia, and explains that condition, height, modifications and depot availability are what actually drive the final number, not just size alone. Unusually cheap listings often signal poor condition or hidden fees further down the track.
Deciding whether to buy or hire a shipping container often comes down to how long you need it for, and that should shape the quote you request. A short term container hire in Perth suits a quick storage job, while buying suits a container staying on site long term across Western Australia. Comparing standard containers against high cube containers matters too, since a high cube container adds extra headroom worth checking before you request a second quote.
Depot stock shifts constantly, so container prices in Perth can move within a matter of weeks depending on what is available. Most of the world’s shipping containers are built overseas, largely in China, so global manufacturing and shipping conditions can flow through to local WA pricing between restocks. Buyers who lock in a container early and ask for current stock details get first pick of high grade condition, high cube size and better prices before good stock runs out.
Get in touch with ABC Containers, get a written quote, and compare buy, hire or storage prices on your next shipping container, whether you are in Perth or comparing containers elsewhere across Australia.
Shipping Container Prices In Perth At A Glance
As a starting point, used 20ft containers in Perth generally range from around $2,000 to $3,500, while new 20ft and 40ft containers start from about $3,500 and can run to $8,000 or more depending on the build. These are guide figures, and the exact price for any specific container depends on its condition and features.
Listed prices are only a starting point, since two containers of the same size rarely land on the same figure once wear and condition are checked. A written quote separates container cost from delivery, and from hire or storage pricing, before anything is locked in. Short term storage often favours hire, while long term storage usually points toward a straight buy instead.
Cube height changes the numbers too, since a high cube container, especially a high grade build, costs more to hire or buy than a standard container, simply because the taller frame adds to the build cost. Before committing, request pricing that lists container purchase and hire costs separately, and request an updated figure if stock or prices shift before delivery. Locking in prices early beats paying more once container stock tightens.
New Versus Used Container Pricing
New containers sit at the higher end of the range because they come with a longer working life and no history of prior use. Used containers offer real savings, but the exact price within that range depends heavily on grading, from premium A grade through to B grade and as-is stock.
| Grade | Condition | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| New build | No prior use, longest working life, straight from manufacture. | Long term storage, customer facing sites, modifications. |
| Premium A grade | Refurbished, painted inside and out, close to new in look and performance. | Buyers who want a like-new look without the new price. |
| B grade | Good condition, wind and water tight, some cosmetic wear. | Practical storage where appearance matters less than budget. |
| As is | Wind and water tight when available, priced lower to reflect visible wear. | Short term or budget driven jobs. |
It is worth remembering that “used” covers a wide spread of condition, not one fixed price point. A recently retired premium A grade container can look and perform close to new, while an as-is container is priced lower to reflect visible wear. Knowing which grade you are actually being quoted matters as much as the size.
The resale value of a container later often comes down to how well its condition was documented up front, so request a written report rather than relying on a grade label alone. This matters more for containers destined for years of on-site storage than a short job, since long term storage can expose wear a quick look misses.
Comparing containers side by side, not just paper grades, protects against mismatched stock, so request confirmation of exactly which container is being allocated once you order. Some sellers separate container cost from ongoing storage fees, and containers held on longer waitlists can shift grade before delivery, so it pays to have that detail confirmed in writing.
Reach out to ABC Containers to get a free quote and get the right container for the job, whether you plan to buy or hire.
Price Differences By Size, 10ft To 40ft
As a general rule, container price increases with size, but the relationship is not perfectly linear. A 10ft container costs less than a 20ft container, and a 20ft container costs less than a 40ft container, but type and condition can shift a smaller specialised container above the price of a larger standard one.
| Size | Relative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft general purpose | $ | Compact, good for tight sites, priced below 20ft in most cases. |
| 20ft general purpose | $$ | The most common size and the benchmark for Perth pricing. |
| 40ft general purpose | $$$ | Larger footprint, higher base price than 20ft. |
| 20ft dangerous goods (specialised) | $$$$ | Can cost more than a larger plain 40ft due to bunding and compliance build. |
A well maintained 20ft dangerous goods container, for example, can easily cost more than a larger but older, plainer 40ft general purpose container. Size is only one part of the pricing picture, alongside condition, type and any modifications built in.
Budgeting across a size range gets trickier once modifications enter the mix, since two containers of the same footprint rarely land on the same final figure once fit-out is added. A stack of smaller containers can end up costing close to one larger high cube container once delivery and site work are factored in, so it is worth pricing several containers together rather than one size at a time. Condition and type still carry more weight than length alone, which is why comparing containers as a group, not just by size bracket, gives a more accurate budget before committing.
What Affects The Price: Condition, Type And Modifications
Condition
New build versus premium A grade, B grade or as-is. The biggest single driver of price.
Height
Standard containers versus high cube containers, which add roughly a foot of extra headroom.
Modifications
Shelving, insulation, ventilation, painting or bunding all add cost on top of the base container.
Lead time changes the price picture too, since a container needing several modifications together often takes longer to source than one ready to go, and rushed orders can carry a premium of their own. A B grade container fitted out ahead of time is sometimes priced lower than a new build container modified on request, simply because the work was batched rather than done for a single order.
Matching the finish, like paint or cladding, to how visible the container will be on site is worth pricing in early too, since a customer facing container usually costs more to present well than one kept out of view.
Delivery And Transport Costs Explained
Delivery is quoted separately from the container price, and depends on distance travelled plus a fuel levy. This is one of the areas where hidden costs can catch buyers out if a supplier does not confirm it upfront.
Hire Costs Versus Buying Outright
Shipping container hire Perth suits a defined, shorter term need, while buying starts to make financial sense the longer you expect to use the container. If you are not sure which way to go, hiring first and converting to a purchase later is worth considering.
| Buying suits you if… | Hiring suits you if… | |
|---|---|---|
| Timeframe | You need the container for the long term. | You have a defined, shorter term job. |
| Upfront cost | You are comfortable with the full purchase cost now. | You would rather spread cost over the hire period. |
| Flexibility | You plan to modify or keep the unit long term. | You want the option to return it once the job is done. |
| Try before you buy | Not applicable. | ABC Containers lets you hire first and convert to a purchase later. |
Hidden Costs And GST To Watch For
Two things to check before you commit to any quote:
- Whether GST is included in the quoted price or added on top.
- Whether delivery is included, or charged separately based on distance.
A properly detailed quote should make both of these clear from the start, rather than leaving them as a surprise on the final invoice.
Dangerous Goods And Refrigerated Container Pricing
Specialised units, including our dangerous goods container Perth builds constructed to AS 1940-2017, and refrigerated units, cost more than a standard general purpose container of the same size, reflecting the extra build requirements involved.
That extra cost pays for the bunding, ventilation, insulation or refrigeration components that a standard container simply does not need, and it is money well spent when the alternative is a non-compliant unit that fails an inspection down the track.
How To Spot An Unrealistically Cheap Container
If a listing is priced well below the typical range for its size and type, that is usually a sign of poor condition, missing features or hidden fees that will show up later. Comparing a suspiciously low price against the benchmark ranges above is a good first check.
A genuine bargain still shows up occasionally, but it is far more common for an unusually low price to reflect a container that needs more work than it looks like from a photo, or a supplier who has left delivery, GST or modification costs off the headline figure entirely.
Getting An Accurate, All-In Quote
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your needs | Size, type and condition preference. |
| 2. Get a full quote | Covers the container, GST and delivery. |
| 3. Confirm and book | Delivery is arranged once everything is confirmed. |
Why Buy From A Local WA Supplier
A local Bibra Lake supplier means you can inspect the actual container before buying, get a straight answer on GST and delivery upfront, and deal with a business that has more than 30 years of WA trading behind it.
