New vs Used Shipping Containers

What “new” means for a shipping container

A new container from AAD Logistics is a unit that has not been in service as cargo equipment. It arrives with an unmarked floor, clean paint in the RAL colour you choose, working door seals and a full 18-month warranty. Internal dimensions, volume and door openings match the figures in our sizes and dimensions guide.

New containers are the right choice when appearance matters, when you plan to convert the unit, or when you need the unit to last decades outdoors with minimal work. They are also the only option in most of AAD’s range. Sizes 6ft to 12ft, all double door and open side variants, the container garages and every high cube 20ft are sold new only.

What “used” means at AAD

A used container has done service as cargo equipment and has been retired from shipping. AAD sells three used sizes: a used 20ft, a used 40ft and a used 40ft high cube. Every one is inspected and sold as Wind and Watertight, not Cargo Worthy. Used units also come in a choice of RAL colours.

Wind and Watertight means the roof, walls and floor keep weather out and the doors close and seal. It does not mean the container has passed a survey for export. The difference is explained in WWT vs Cargo Worthy container grades.

Expect the following on any used unit, and treat them as normal rather than as defects.

• Dents in wall and roof panels from handling.
• Scratches and scuffs to the paint.
• Previous shipping line markings and numbers, painted over or still visible.
• Patch repairs where panels have been welded.
• Surface rust, particularly on the roof, door edges and understructure.
• Wear, staining and small repairs to the timber floor.

New vs used side by side

	New	Used (Wind and Watertight)
Sizes at AAD	6ft, 8ft, 10ft, 10ft HC, 12ft, 20ft, 20ft HC, 40ft, 40ft HC, plus DD, OS and garage variants	20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC
Condition	Unused, unmarked	Inspected, weatherproof, cosmetic wear expected
Colour	Choice of RAL colours per product	Choice of RAL colours per product
Warranty	18 months	6 months limited
Change of mind	18 days on eligible new products	Not offered
Suits export	Yes, subject to CSC plate	Not as sold; survey required
Suits conversion	Yes	Yes, with more prep
Price	Higher	Lower

All prices on the site are in AUD and include 10% GST. Delivery is AUD 745 per unit within the standard service area, the same for new and used.

When to buy new

Appearance matters

A container at the front of a business, beside a house or on a display site should look tidy. New paint in a chosen RAL colour does that from day one. A used unit can be repainted, but the dents and patches remain under the paint.

You plan to convert it

Offices, workshops and studios start with cutting openings and lining walls. Straight panels, a flat floor and a known coating make that easier. A high cube is the better base, and AAD’s 20ft high cube is only sold new. See container modification planning.

You intend to ship it

A new container carries a CSC plate and has not been de-rated. Used AAD stock is sold Wind and Watertight and would need a survey before any shipping line accepts it.

You need a size that only comes new

If the job needs a 10ft, a 12ft, a double door, an open side, a container garage or a 20ft high cube, the decision is made for you.

You want the longer warranty

New units carry an 18-month warranty and an 18-day change-of-mind period on eligible products. Used units carry a 6-month limited warranty and no change-of-mind period.

When to buy used

Storage, where value beats looks

Farm gear, building materials, archive boxes and seasonal stock do not care about dents. A used 20ft or 40ft delivers the same internal space and the same weather protection for a lower price.

The container sits out of sight

Behind a shed, in a paddock or at the back of an industrial yard, cosmetic wear is irrelevant.

You need 40ft volume on a budget

The used 40ft and 40ft high cube are the lowest cost per cubic metre in the range. If access suits a side loader, a used 40ft is the strongest value buy AAD offers.

What “inspected” means

Before a used container is listed, it is checked for the things that make it fit for storage.

1. Doors open, close and lock. Seals are present and hold.
2. Roof, walls and floor are free of holes. Light does not show through with the doors shut.
3. Floor is sound underfoot with no soft or broken boards.
4. Corner castings and understructure are intact enough to lift and place the unit.
5. Rust is surface only, not through the panel.

Cosmetic items are not graded out. That is the deal with a used container, and it is why the price is lower. If a specific defect matters to you, ask before you order and we will check the unit going out.

Getting the most from a used container

• Set it on blocks or bearers so the underside stays dry and air can move beneath it.
• Treat surface rust early with a wire brush and a rust-converting primer, then a top coat.
• Keep door seals clean and lubricate the locking bars.
• Store goods off the floor on pallets or shelving so any condensation does not pool against them.
• Add vents if you store items that give off moisture.

These steps are good practice on a new container too, but they matter more on a unit that has already seen a decade of salt air.

Delivery, payment and after-sale

New and used containers follow the same process. Orders are processed in 1 to 3 business days and delivered typically 4 to 7 business days after that. Payment is by bank transfer or card. A 20ft goes on a tilt tray; a 40ft usually on a side loader, Hiab, crane truck or semi trailer. Read how container delivery works for the details.

Council approval may be needed for placement on some properties. Check with your local council before delivery.

Summary

Buy new for appearance, conversion, export, the longer warranty or any size outside 20ft and 40ft. Buy used for weatherproof storage at a lower price and accept cosmetic wear. Either way you get an inspected unit, AUD pricing including GST, and the same delivery service from the Port Macquarie.

Compare new shipping containers and used shipping containers, or read buying a shipping container in Australia for the full purchase process.