Practical container guide
Compare the full delivered cost before choosing a used container
The price of a used 20 ft container in Ghana is useful only when you know which unit is being offered and what the quote includes. A low purchase figure can become a different total once repairs, transport, lifting and placement at your site are added.
Ask for a current, itemised quote for the actual container and delivery location. This guide explains how to compare offers; it does not present a fixed market price or imply that a particular unit is currently in stock.
Compare the container’s condition and intended use alongside the complete delivered cost. Confirm the unit, inspection arrangements, repair scope, quote currency and validity before agreeing the purchase.
What should a used-container quote include?
| Cost item | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Container purchase | Which identified unit is included, and what condition is being offered? |
| Repairs or preparation | Are cleaning, door repairs, floor work, paint or other agreed works included? |
| Transport | Does the price cover delivery to the stated site, or only collection from the yard? |
| Offloading and placement | Who supplies the lifting equipment and positions the container? |
| Other charges | Which applicable charges are included, and which would be invoiced separately? |
Use the same scope when comparing sellers. A yard collection price and a delivered-and-placed price are different offers, even if both are described as a 20 ft container price.
Match condition to the intended use
A unit bought for static storage has a different operating purpose from one intended for international transport. Ask the seller to explain any condition description in writing and identify the repairs already completed or still required. Terms such as “wind and watertight” or “cargo-worthy” should lead to specific evidence rather than assumptions.
For international transport, review the safety approval and examination information with a competent provider. BIC explains that a CSC plate is valid only while the container remains in good order. A plate alone does not replace checking the actual condition, and static storage suitability still needs its own review.
Inspect the unit you will receive
- Doors and seals: confirm that the doors operate properly and inspect locking components and damaged seals.
- Roof and walls: look for damage, significant corrosion, patching and signs of water entering.
- Floor: review damage, loose sections, stains and the suitability of the floor for your intended goods.
- Interior: check for residues, debris, pests or contamination, and arrange safe ventilation before initial entry.
- Identification: match photographs, inspection records and the purchase description to the specific unit offered.
Ask how any problems found at inspection will be handled before payment or delivery. Recent photographs are useful for an initial discussion, but they do not show every aspect of a container’s condition.
Why the delivery address affects the comparison
A quote should be based on your actual location and access conditions. Provide the gate opening, approach route, overhead restrictions and photographs of the placement area. Confirm whether the delivery vehicle and offloading equipment can reach the proposed position.
Agree who prepares the site, who manages placement and what happens if access is unsuitable on arrival. These responsibilities belong in the discussion before the transport is booked, rather than being left to the delivery day.
Build a like-for-like comparison
For each offer, record the unit identification, condition, agreed repairs, purchase amount, transport, offloading and any separately stated charges. Add the included items to establish the quoted total. Keep site preparation and optional modifications visible as separate budget items.
For example, one seller may offer collection from a yard while another includes delivery. Add the missing transport and placement scope to the first offer before deciding which provides the better fit. Also confirm the currency, quote expiry and whether the same unit can still be supplied.
Check the size before requesting the final quote
If you are buying for storage, review practical 20 ft container layouts and measure the goods you expect to keep inside. If future stock or bulky items are a concern, compare 20 ft and 40 ft options before fixing the purchase scope.
Condition references: BIC guidance on CSC plates and inspections and the CTU Code quick guide.
Request a quote with a clear delivery scope
Tell BJH Logistics the intended use, preferred size, delivery location and site access details. Ask for the available option, its condition and an itemised purchase-and-delivery scope.
Why is there no single used 20 ft container price here?
A meaningful price relates to the current unit, its condition and the agreed supply and delivery scope. Request a current quote for your location and compare the same included items across offers.
Does a container purchase automatically include delivery and offloading?
Only if the written quote says so. Confirm transport, lifting, placement, site preparation and any separate charges before accepting the offer.
