We have been in the business of marketing and selling used shipping containers for over a decade here in Nairobi, Kenya.
One question that you can’t escape, especially when doing social media marketing has to do with the pricing of used shipping containers.
The price question keeps coming over and over again, no matter how many times you post your items.
That is understandable because what business do you have walking into a capital-intensive investment like buying a container without comparing its price around?
For that reason, we thought it would be best to save you the hustle of calling everyone in the container business and taking endless conflicting notes while doing price comparisons.
We are also focused on helping people who are keen on investing in used shipping containers in Kenya and East Africa to make informed decisions and safely engage in shipping container deals.
You all know very well what they say about a deal that is too good to be true.
Using our years of experience in the used containers business, inside industry knowledge, and market research, we have developed this guide on the latest pricing of different types of used shipping containers available in the Kenyan Market.
This article will give indicative price range for various types of containers according to the latest industry insights.
Generally speaking, an empty used 20ft shipping container in Kenya will cost between Ksh 200,000 to Ksh 300,000 while an empty used 40ft shipping container will cost anywhere between Ksh 400,000 to Ksh 500,000.
These prices may vary slightly because of some reasons that we shall look at later on here.
The prices mentioned here are also not inclusive of transport and logistics, fabrications, or any special handling.
So, let’s dive into it.
What to Look for When Shopping for Used Shipping Containers in Kenya
As mentioned earlier, the price of used shipping containers will vary depending on several factors.
These factors may be natural or artificial, just like in any other business environment.
So, what should you keep an eye on when comparing prices of used shipping containers?
1. Look for Any Hidden Costs
This is very important because you may encounter unscrupulous dealers who may quote for you some ridiculously low prices to entice you to buy their products.
Of course, they won’t mention everything in their quote and will leave out some important details about the container and add them later to recover their money.
It is thus important to ask for every detail before committing your money to any deal.
If you feel like something is off, ask for clarification.
Here at Container Works Africa, we believe in transparency and honest dealings.
That is why you will get a full quotation from us with all the details including other related costs such as delivery fees, storage fees, and any other handling fees as per your request.
In general, some of the extra costs you should be aware of when purchasing a used shipping container in Kenya include:
- Delivery fees for a 20ft container within Nairobi – around Ksh 13,000 to Ksh 15,000
- Delivery fee for a 40ft container within Nairobi – around Ksh 25,000 to Ksh 30,000
- Delivery fee For a reefer Container within Nairobi – around Ksh 25,000 to Ksh 30,000
- Delivery price outside Nairobi will depend on distance to destination
- Building a resting place for the container at destination – anything between Ksh 20,000 to Ksh 80,000 depending on the complexity of the work.
If you need a comprehensive quotation from us, you can get in touch with our marketing team through our email address and phone numbers at the top of this website.
2. The Type of Container
There are many types of containers available worldwide ranging from standard containers to custom-made containers and specialized containers such as reefers.
In Kenya, most used shipping container dealers usually prefer dealing with the standard intermodal 20ft and 40ft containers.
There are 10ft containers in other parts of the world. These 10ft containers are however not common in the Kenyan used shipping container market and can only be purchased by pre-ordering.
Refrigerated containers (also known as Reefers) have also grown in popularity in the Kenyan container market due to their use in storage of perishables.
Reefers act as mobile cold rooms and can be fitted with a clip-on Genset or portable generators making them ideal for transportation and storage of perishable goods in remote areas.
When shopping for a used shipping container in Kenya, you will need to consider the type of container and its suitability in the project you want to undertake.
The price of the containers will also vary with the type of container. For instance:
- A standard used intermodal 20ft shipping container in Kenya costs about Ksh 200,000 to Ksh 300,000.
- A standard used intermodal 40ft shipping container in Kenya costs about Ksh 400,000 to Ksh 500,000.
- A 20ft reefer container in Kenya costs around Ksh 1.2 million
- A 40ft reefer container in Kenya costs around Ksh 1.3 million
The cost of other custom containers will vary based on design, size, and other extraneous factors.
If you need any of these types of containers in Nairobi or any town in East and Central Africa, contact us and we will gladly help you find one at an unbeatable price.
3. The Size of Container
Shipping containers come in various shapes and sizes depending on the intended use.
We have low cube containers, high cube containers, extra-wide containers, and round ISO tank containers.
This is why freight companies and their clients need to know the exact measurements of a container before they engage in any logistics.
Thankfully, the International Organization of Standards (ISO) has standardized shipping container dimensions to avert such logistical challenges.
Also, some freight companies have developed online calculators to take care of container dimensions for those looking for quick computations.
In terms of used shipping containers, it is always advisable to have a good idea of the dimensions of the container you want to purchase.
It is also important to have accurate measurements of the final resting place you intend to place your container.
When dealing with professionals such as Container Works Africa, you don’t need to worry about this because our experienced team will handle such details for you.
Most containers in the Kenyan used shipping container market are high cube containers.
Generally, the cost of a used low cube container in Kenya will be around Ksh 20,000 to Ksh 30,000 less than the normal high cube container.
Read Also: Container Fraud: How to Avoid It
4. Condition and Quality of the Container
You are buying a used container and not a new container.
The condition of the container and its quality will thus be a very important factor, especially in pricing.
This means you should also be careful as the buyer not to purchase something that is in awful condition.
As you can see here, we have given the prices as a range since we understand that quality is a major factor that affects the price of used containers in the Kenyan Market.
If you see someone offering you a mouthwatering price that is way below the prices given here, be sure that something else is being compromised. Quality!
You can get extremely cheap containers but their condition will not guarantee you long shelf life.
All these shouldn’t be a concern when dealing with a reputable seller who buys their used containers from trusted freight companies with all the paperwork intact.
5. Previous Usage
Some used shipping containers may be contaminated due to their original usage in carrying toxic or corrosive materials.
This may be dangerous especially if you intend to use the container as a food store, house, or office.
Corrosive chemicals previously used could also cause excessive wear and tear thus rendering the container low quality.
Some used containers could also be broken or bend in some areas due to poor handling at the ports during their transit.
All these factors will come into play when the seller is setting the price for a used container.
As a buyer, you should go for something that will give you long service and guarantee you value for your money and not just falling for the cheaper option.
If you feel like this task of shopping for a used container is overwhelming, worry no more because we at Container Works Africa got your back.
Just let us know your needs and we will make the entire process so smooth that you won’t even realize you have moved a finger.
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