Shipping containers have become a vital foundation of global trade, quietly driving the movement of goods across seas and borders. As the trade landscape evolves, shipping container prices continue to fluctuate.
The cost of shipping containers not only reflects market health but also reveals larger patterns in supply chains, trade policies, and economic stability.
In this blog, we’ll break down current pricing, historical trends, and the driving forces behind the numbers. Plus, we’ll explore regional differences and future predictions to give you the full picture of where the container market is heading.
Shipping Container Prices in the United States (Q2 2025)
As of April 2025, the average cost of a used 20ft shipping container ranges from $1,300 to $2,000, while 40-foot containers can range from $2,000 to $3,200, depending on availability, shipping container condition, and location.
The price range can vary depending on the region:
| Location | Used 20-foot Shipping Container | New 20-foot Shipping Container | Used 40-foot Shipping Container | New 40-foot Shipping Container | Used 40-foot High Cube Shipping Container | New 40-foot High Cube Shipping Container |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $1,350 | $2,900 | $1,800 | $4,350 | $2,100 | $4,350 |
| Los Angeles | $1,550 | $3,100 | $1,850 | $4,700 | $1,850 | $4,700 |
| Atlanta | $1,850 | $2,900 | $2,450 | $4,500 | $2,500 | $4,500 |
| Houston | $1,400 | $2,850 | $1,950 | $4,400 | $1,950 | $4,400 |
| Newark | $1,425 | $3,100 | $1,800 | $4,500 | $1,900 | $4,500 |
| Miami | $1,400 | $2,900 | $1,850 | $4,500 | $2,150 | $4,500 |
| Charlotte | $2,300 | $3,100 | $2,450 | $4,750 | $2,600 | $4,750 |
| Dallas | $1,950 | $3,050 | $2,700 | $4,700 | $2,950 | $4,700 |
| Salt Lake City | $2,650 | $4,350 | $3,050 | $4,800 | $3,200 | $4,800 |
| Baltimore | $1,650 | $3,100 | $2,000 | $4,500 | $2,225 | $4,500 |
Global demand is balancing out after years of volatility. However, there are still logistical bottlenecks in parts of Asia and Africa, which cause occasional price spikes and supply delays.
Global Container Price Tracking Tools
Monitoring steel shipping container prices is vital for businesses engaged in global commerce. Several key indices help track these costs with precision.
📷 Freightos Baltic Index (FBX)
Freightos Baltic Index (FBX)
The Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) is a go-to benchmark for monitoring international shipping costs, specifically focusing on 40-foot container (FEU) rates across global trade routes. This index is compliant with IOSCO regulations and is traded on major exchanges like the Singapore Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
What sets FBX apart is its use of real-time, anonymized data from global freight carriers, forwarders, and shippers through the WebCargo by Freightos platform. This data provides an accurate, up-to-the-minute reflection of market trends. FBX covers twelve primary international shipping routes.
📷 Drewry WCI
Drewry World Container Index (WCI)
The Drewry WCI offers a comprehensive weekly update and detailed pricing assessments for key East-West shipping routes. The index is widely regarded as an authoritative reference for index-linked contracts.
On April 24, 2025, the Drewry World Container Index (WCI) showed a 2% drop, bringing the cost to $2,157 per 40-foot container. This is still considerably higher than pre-pandemic rates but reflects a 79% drop from the peak seen during the COVID-19 surge in September 2021.
📷 Containerized Freight Index
Containerized Freight Index
The Containerized Freight Index, published by Trading Economics, offers up-to-date insights into shipping container rates departing from key ports across China. This index hit an all-time high in January 2022 and currently sits at 1,370.58 points as of April 2025.
These indices, like the FBX and WCI, provide invaluable insights into current and historical trends in container prices, helping businesses make informed decisions about their shipping needs.
Shipping Container Price Trends Over the Last Decade
The last 10 years have shown that container pricing is anything but static.
- 2015–2019: Prices were steady, with 20-ft shipping containers costing around $1,200 and 40-ft containers going for $2,000 or less.
- 2020–2021: The COVID-19 pandemic shook the global shipping industry. Container shortages caused prices to triple or even quadruple, with some 40-ft containers fetching more than $8,000.
- 2022–2023: As supply chains stabilized and new containers entered circulation, prices slowly dropped.
- 2024–2025: We’re seeing a “new normal” with prices higher than pre-COVID but far lower than the 2021 peak.
The pandemic highlighted a crucial takeaway for the industry: adaptability and diversification are essential. This realization continues to influence container production and inventory strategies today.
What Affects Shipping Container Prices?
Understanding the cost of a container goes far beyond its condition and shipping container size. Several external and internal factors come into play:
1. Supply and Demand
The global container fleet consists of over 30 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), but availability can fluctuate wildly.
- Overproduction during boom times often leads to price drops.
- Both underproduction and hoarding, often seen during crises, can lead to significant price hikes.
- Seasonality plays a role, too. For example, demand usually spikes from August to November due to holiday shipping, driving up prices temporarily.
2. Global Trade Routes and Congestion
Shifts in trade routes and bottlenecks at busy ports can significantly influence the cost of shipping containers. When trade routes are rerouted due to weather, war, or policy shifts, container circulation slows down.
A prime example: In early 2024, threats in the Red Sea forced vessels to avoid the Suez Canal, rerouting around Africa. This increased voyage times by 10–14 days and created shortages in Europe, which temporarily spiked prices.
3. Geopolitical Tensions
Trade wars, sanctions, and border closures affect how many containers move across certain regions.
- U.S.-China tariffs disrupted the flow of containers between the world’s two largest economies.
- Sanctions on Russia and instability in Eastern Europe reduced container flow to/from key Eurasian markets.
These issues create bottlenecks that ripple through the global supply chain, influencing both new and second-hand shipping container prices.
4. Transportation Costs and Fuel Prices
It’s not just about the container—it’s about how far shipping container delivery.
- Fuel prices influence everything from sea freight rates to last-mile trucking.
- Inland cities or remote regions often see inflated container prices due to shipping container delivery costs and drayage costs.
For example, a 40-ft container in Los Angeles might cost $2,100, while the same container in Denver may cost $2,900 once delivery is included.
5. Port Fees and Local Infrastructure
Ports with better handling systems and quicker container turnaround times help keep costs down. On the flip side, underfunded or overburdened ports introduce delays, increase fees, and reduce container availability.
Infrastructure upgrades in ports like Savannah, GA, and Houston, TX, have helped maintain steady pricing even during global disruptions.
Regional Comparison: Where Containers Cost More (and Less)
Asia (especially China):
As the world’s largest manufacturer of new containers, China offers the lowest prices of shipping containers. Many businesses buy in bulk directly from Chinese suppliers to resell in local markets.
North America:
Prices remain moderate in port cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Houston. However, landlocked states—like Colorado, Nebraska, or Kentucky—face price hikes due to added transport.
Europe:
Shipping container costs are influenced by proximity to shipping hubs. Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg offer better rates than inland European cities, particularly in Eastern Europe.
Africa and Australia:
High import fees and limited supply make these two regions the most expensive for container purchases. In some cases, prices can be 20–30% higher than global averages.
2025 Forecast: Trends Shaping the Future of Container Prices
1. Price Stabilization with Inflationary Pressure
While supply and demand are beginning to normalize, inflation and rising steel costs will keep container prices from returning to pre-pandemic levels. Expect slow, steady increases over the next few years.
2. Surge in Demand for Specialized Containers
Beyond dry vans, demand is growing for:
- Reefer (refrigerated containers) for food and pharmaceuticals
- Open-top containers for industrial use
- Modified containers for homes, offices, pop-up retail, and storage spaces
These units often sell for 1.5 to 3 times the price of standard containers.
3. Emphasis on Sustainability and Recycling
Governments and corporations are placing increasing focus on sustainability. This means:
- More recycled steel in container production
- Green shipping certifications
- Pressure to reuse and refurbish existing containers
The environmental impact will begin influencing container resale value and market demand by the end of the decade.
4. Predictive Pricing and AI-Driven Logistics
Companies like Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM are using AI algorithms to dynamically price containers based on real-time data such as weather, traffic, and port availability. This will trickle down to wholesalers and retailers, making regional pricing more volatile and competitive.
Tips for Buyers and Sellers
For Buyers:
- Shop off-season: Best deals appear from January to March, when global trade slows.
- Buy in bulk: Larger orders often qualify for significant per-unit discounts.
- Buy near ports: Eliminate inland delivery costs.
- Ask for structural condition reports: Especially important when buying used containers.
For Sellers:
- Sell during peak trade seasons: Higher demand often equals higher margins.
- Maintain quality: Clean, structurally sound containers with working doors command better prices.
- Use online marketplaces wisely: Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and industry-specific B2B platforms attract buyers but require competitive pricing and reputation management.
Conclusion
Tracking shipping container prices gives businesses a competitive edge in a world where supply chain agility is essential. From global route disruptions to steel prices and port infrastructure, container pricing reflects the heartbeat of global trade.
In 2025, prices are stabilizing, but savvy buyers and sellers must stay informed to navigate seasonal shifts and regional quirks. Whether you’re sourcing containers for transport, storage, or repurposing, keeping tabs on market trends ensures you get the best value and stay ahead of the curve.
Competitive Shipping Container Prices at On-Site Storage Solutions
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