Are You Ready to Receive Your Shipping Container?

Proper preparation is the key to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free delivery of your shipping container. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some things you need to consider — even before making a purchase.

Do You Need a Permit?

Some local municipalities require you to get a permit to have a shipping container on your property. If you’re not sure whether this applies to you, it’s best to check before placing an order and scheduling your delivery. This can save you from having to pay a fine or relocate the container if you find out that they’re not allowed in your area.

Have You Chosen a Spot?

It seems obvious to say that shipping containers are large, but until one arrives on your property, most customers aren’t able to visualize how much space they take up. To get a better idea of much space you will need for your shipping container, you can mark out the area with cones or rope. Make sure you include enough clearance around the area where the doors will open so you can easily move things in and out of the container.

Is There Enough Space for a Smooth Delivery?

For a smooth delivery, you’ll need about 100’ to 120’ straight out in front of where you want the back of the container placed, 10’ to 12’ feet of width, and 14’ to 16’ of overhead clearance (depending on whether you want a standard height container or a high cube). If you are ordering a 20’ container, we might be able to make the delivery with only 60’ to 80’ straight out in front of where you want the back of the container placed if we have a 20’ trailer available in your area. Please check with your sales rep to see if this option is available if needed.

Is the Delivery Spot Easily Accessible?

Our drivers use gooseneck, tilt-bed trailers to make most deliveries. This type of roll-off delivery doesn’t require any additional equipment. The driver will back into the delivery area and position the truck at the right angle to deliver your container to the designated spot.

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Do You Need Non-Standard Delivery?

If your delivery requires use of a flat-bed trailer, you will need to have a forklift or crane on-site when the driver arrives with your container. If this is the case, your sales rep or logistics coordinator will go over the details with you in advance.

Have You Prepared the Spot?

Once you’ve decided where you want your container to go and have confirmed that the area is accessible, you’ll want to be sure that the spot is level and solid enough to bear the weight of a container that weighs thousands of pounds. If choose a spot for your container that gets a lot of rain or snow, the corner posts will likely sink into the ground over time and this will make the doors difficult to open. We suggest placing the container of a concrete foundation, a gravel bed, cement blocks, or railroad ties rather than directly on the ground. In addition to helping keep the container level, this will help with airflow underneath the container, prolonging the life of the container and protecting your investment.

Is Your Container Arriving Soon?

If you’ve placed an order using our Payment on Delivery option, please be sure that you are able to charge the full amount on one or more credit or debit cards or use Zelle for a transaction in that amount. You may need to call your bank to have your daily limit raised if that limit is less that the amount of your order. If you have paid in advance for your order, you can relax knowing that you won’t need to deal with payment on the day of delivery. Be sure that someone will be on site to accept the delivery and inspect the container when it arrives. Our driver will have already inspected the container to be sure there are no holes in the container, the floors are in good shape, and the doors work properly, but we encourage you to inspect the container on arrival as well. If you find a hole or the door doesn’t work properly, please reach out to your logistics coordinator by text or phone BEFORE accepting the delivery.

Have We Answered All of Your Questions?

At USA Containers, we want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you have any questions about our containers, please reach out to one of our knowledgable sale reps before placing an order. After your order has been placed, our experienced logistics team will handle any questions you have about your delivery.

FAQs The Impact Of Unanticipated Events on the Container Market

Do I need a permit to place a shipping container on my property?

Some local municipalities require permits for placing a shipping container on your property. We recommend checking with your local authorities before placing an order to avoid fines or the need to relocate the container later.

How much space do I need for a container delivery?

For a smooth delivery, ensure you have about 100’ to 120’ straight out in front of the placement spot, 10’ to 12’ feet of width, and 14’ to 16’ of overhead clearance. For 20’ containers, we may deliver with only 60’ to 80’ of straight space if a 20’ trailer is available. Confirm this option with your sales rep.

What type of surface is best for placing a shipping container?

The spot should be level and solid enough to support the weight of the container. We recommend placing it on a concrete foundation, gravel bed, cement blocks, or railroad ties to keep it level, ensure airflow underneath, and prolong its lifespan.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept credit/debit cards and Zelle for Payment on Delivery orders. Ensure your daily transaction limit covers the order amount by contacting your bank if needed. Prepaid orders require no further action on delivery day. Make sure someone is available to inspect and accept the container upon arrival.