20ft vs 40ft Shipping Container: Which Size Do You Actually Need?

Picking between a 20ft vs 40ft shipping container comes down to three things: how much you need to store, how much room you have on site, and your budget. This guide walks through the real numbers and the BC-specific access issues so you order the right box the first time.

20ft vs 40ft shipping container: the real dimensions

Container sizes are standardized, so the specs are the same no matter where you buy. Here is what you are actually working with.

Spec	20ft Standard	40ft Standard
Exterior length	~20 ft	~40 ft
Exterior width	~8 ft	~8 ft
Exterior height	~8.5 ft	~8.5 ft
Internal volume	~33.2 m³	~67 m³

The key takeaway: a 40ft container is roughly double the floor length of a 20ft, but it is the same width and height. So you do not get a wider or taller box by going bigger, you get a longer one. If your problem is "I need more floor area in a tight spot," two 20ft units side by side can sometimes beat one 40ft.

High Cube: the third option people forget

If headroom matters more than length, look at a High Cube. It adds about an extra foot of interior height (roughly 9.5 ft exterior instead of 8.5 ft) on the same footprint. That extra space is genuinely useful for tall shelving, stacked pallets, mezzanines, or anything you plan to stand up inside. We currently stock a 20ft High Cube (used), so you can get the taller profile without committing to a 40ft. If you are unsure how condition grades affect a used unit, our container conditions guide breaks it down.

Site access: the part that catches BC buyers out

This is where the choice often gets decided for you. Both sizes usually arrive on a tilt-deck truck, but a 40ft needs far more straight, clear room to drop than a 20ft.

• Straight approach. The truck slides the container off the back as it pulls forward. A 40ft needs a long, straight run, roughly the container length plus the truck again. Tight driveways, sharp turns, and short pads in Metro Vancouver lots often rule it out.
• Overhead clearance. Watch for tree limbs, hydro lines, and eaves, especially on a High Cube.
• Ground. Soft, sloped, or wet ground is harder on a longer, heavier unit. Firm and level is best for either size.
• Truck size. A bigger box means a bigger truck, which is another reason the 20ft is the easy yes on most residential and jobsite locations.

Before you decide, measure your access and check the delivery zones and postal-code estimator. If a 40ft simply cannot reach your pad, a 20ft (or two) is the realistic answer.

Price reality in CAD

Right now every unit in our Richmond yard is a 20ft, and they start at an affordable entry point. Honest pricing for in-stock 20ft:

• Used 20ft Standard from $2,400 CAD
• New 20ft Standard $3,300 CAD
• 20ft High Cube (used) $3,950 CAD
• 20ft Open Side (new) $6,700 CAD

A 40ft is built to order / quote, not currently in stock, so the lead time and cost vary. If you want a 40ft, the fastest path is to send us a quote request with your location and we will price it out. Delivery is separate: core Metro Vancouver starts from $250, extended areas (North Shore, Tri-Cities, Ridge Meadows, Langley) from $350, and the rest of BC is a custom quote.

Pick 20ft if... / Pick 40ft if...

Here is the quick decision guide by use case.

Choose a 20ft if you...

• Are a homeowner needing seasonal, tool, or general storage
• Have a typical driveway, lane, or jobsite with limited turning room
• Want a workshop, she-shed, or secure site box you can actually deliver
• Are a farmer storing feed, gear, or equipment in a yard with normal access
• Want a unit in stock now at our most affordable entry point

Choose a 40ft if you...

• Need to store long materials (lumber, pipe, racking, vehicles)
• Run a business with high volume and want fewer units to manage
• Have a large, flat site with a long, straight, unobstructed approach
• Are fine with a build-to-order timeline and a custom quote

For most BC homeowners, contractors, and small farms, the 20ft wins on access, price, and availability. The 40ft is the right call when length is non-negotiable and your site can take it. For more ideas on how people actually use these boxes, see our guide on container uses in BC.

A quick note on permits

Whether a container needs a permit or has placement rules depends entirely on your municipality and zoning, and it varies a lot across BC. Treat this as general info, not legal advice, and confirm with your local municipality before delivery. Our BC permits overview is a good starting point.

Ready to choose? Browse our in-stock 20ft units or request a quote (including for a built-to-order 40ft) and we will help you match the size to your site.