Swell Containers offers affordable and reliable storage containers. From Baja California to Vancouver, BC, we're your leading supplier for on-site, personal, and commercial storage. With multiple locations along the West Coast, we are certain to have a shipping container to meet your needs!
Whether you need additional storage for inventory, supplies, or personal belongings, our shipping containers act as the perfect medium. Guaranteed wind and watertight, our containers will keep your property dry and secure.
Learn moreOur team can facilitate your container modification, big or small! From windows and doors, to your next tiny home, we have the expertise to turn your dream into a reality.
Learn moreWith our preferred carriers, we can deliver your container wherever it needs to go. One of our reps will be able to talk you through the delivery process so your container is delivered on time, and without any headaches.
Learn more
Specialty containers are only available as One Trip (New)
Double Door units have cargo doors on both ends of the container
Open Side containers have cargo doors along the length of the container wall
As Is
Containers are sold in the condition that they arrive to the port or depot. There is no guarantee that the container will be wind and watertight (WWT) or cargo worthy (CW). The seller has no responsibility, nor obligation, to fix or repair the container. The buyer understands that the unit may not be suitable for export. Containers are subject to heavy rust, dings, and dents.
Wind and Watertight (WWT)
Containers are guaranteed to have no holes and to prevent water from entering the interior of the container. However, they are subject to rust, dings, and dents. The units are perfect for individuals who don't care about aesthetics and want the cheapest available container with a guarantee of WWT condition. The containers are not suitable for export.
Cargo Worthy (CW)
Containers are deemed structurally sound enough for export purposes. Units will come with a CSC plate, certifying their sea worthiness. However, individuals looking to utilize the containers for export typically need to have them inspected, as the CW certification may be expired. The containers are guaranteed WWT. These units are perfect for individuals who are exporting or want a more structurally sound container.
Note - Units are still subject to rust, dings, and dents. However, the structural wear and tear must meet a specific criteria to pass inspection. For example, if you placed a CW container and a WWT container side by side, the two units would look very similar with respect to surface rust, dings, and dents. However, if you examined the unit closely, you may find 3-4" deep dents on the WWT container, as compared to 2-3" dents on the CW unit.
IICL
Containers are in slightly better condition than CW containers.A specific criteria must be met for a container to be deemed an IICL unit. In comparison to the 2-3" deep dents along the container that a CW unit might have, IICL units will only have 1-2" dents. IICL containers tend to be younger (e.g. 2011 build) and are therefore in better condition, as they have not been exposed to the wear and tear of travel quite as long.
Note - IICL does NOT GUARANTEE that the container is free of rust, dings, and dents.
One Trip (New)
The creme de la creme...The freshest container you can purchase. Units are built in the factory overseas and loaded up with cargo to be exported directly to their destination one time. Because of minimal exposure to ocean air and transportation, the unit is almost certain to arrive in pristine condition. Containers have clean floors, no rust, dings, or dents, and are guaranteed wind and watertight.
Shipping containers can be used for so much more than merely transporting goods. For example, we recently collaborated with designers to develop an original container home in Mexico. But we have only begun to scratch the surface of possibilities with shipping container projects. We would love to hear your ideas and work with you to bring your concepts to life!
No problem! With our preferred carriers, we can deliver your container wherever it needs to go. One of our reps will be able to talk you through the delivery process so your container is delivered on time, and without any headaches.
A common issue after delivery is that the doors won't open and close easily. Despite being all steel, if a container is on an uneven surface or loaded heavy to one side, it can twist just enough for the doors not to line up properly and be very difficult to open and close. The best solution is to place wood blocks under the door frame and if possible under the length of the container. Your local hardware store or lumber yard should have 8' long 4 x 4's, or railroad ties available for purchase. We would suggest 2-3 pieces for 20' containers, and 4-6 pieces for 40's. The most important location of support is under the cargo doors.
Doors to Cab - The shipping container is loaded with its doors facing the front of the truck. When the container is rolled off and unloaded from the truck, the doors will land on the ground last and will face the same direction as how the truck departs.
Doors to Rear - The shipping container doors land on the ground first; they face the opposite direction from how the truck will leave the location. This placement is more common when the container is going to be used for loading purposes and is being placed near a building for access.
Intermodal shipping containers have steel cross-members underneath the wood floors, to support heavy loads while in transit. The cross-members have the strength to withstand some rust, but do not position your container directly on top of an area where water will pool after a storm. The steel underneath the floor with eventually rust and fail. Once again, you can keep your cross-members out of water by supporting the container with wood blocks, railroad ties, etc.
The combined weight of the truck, trailer and container can exceed 30,000 pounds. It's important that your delivery surface be firm. A soft surface such as mud or wet grass can cause the truck to sink and get stuck. If there is risk of the truck sinking because the ground is not firm enough to support the truck, the delivery can not be completed. If your site is questionable, make sure you talk to us before the day of your delivery and consider having a back-up spot in mind where there won't be any issues. Soft surfaces such as mud or wet grass can cause the truck to sink and get stuck. If there is any risk of sinking in, at the driver sole discretion, they may refuse to deliver at the site.
The delivery truck will be 10' wide, and will need 14 feet of space to maneuver once the container is dropped. For a 20' container, you'll need 80 feet of length and for a 40' container, you'll need 120 feet of length in a straight line. The truck is 14 feet high before it tilts, and can be up to 22 feet tall at its peak during delivery; make sure there are no power lines, tree branches, or other obstructions. Please ensure there is enough space for delivery and your location is safe for the driver. All of our drivers put safety first, and if we can't safely deliver at your site we won't, but you'll still be charged for trucking.
Each city or county have their own regulations. We recommend that you contact your local municipal authority to confirm. Some cities and counties do not require a permit. It is your responsibility to investigate and arrange for any required permits or fees associated with the placement of the container.
Delivery should only take about 15 minutes once the driver arrives (as long as your site is ready). If the driver is required to wait more than 30 minutes after arriving on site to start delivery, the customer may be charged for wait time. If the driver is unable to safely deliver, the customer may still be charged a dry run fee. We outsource all deliveries to professional local haulers. The customer and driver on site are responsible for all safety decisions.
Standard delivery time is 5-10 business days for containers.
Rush delivery is 2-4 days. Rush charges may apply.
Delivery windows are typically 9am-1pm or 2pm-6pm.
You will be notified in advance of your delivery window/ time.
Zach Witter, founder and CEO of Swell Containers, has been in the container industry since 2015. Swell was born in 2019, out of desire to create an environmentally conscious solution to a myriad of avenues, from storage to tiny living spaces. He lives in Santa Barbara, and when he's not working away, you can find him surfing, snowboarding, picking bluegrass music with his band, or hiking with his partner Fiona and their adventure pup, Rue.
If you're interested in receiving more information or a free estimate, fill out the form below and a representative will reach out to you as soon as possible.