Finding the best shipping container deals can be challenging. At Southwest Mobile Storage (SMS), we work diligently to ensure you get the best value when renting, buying, or modifying steel containers for your commercial business, construction company, or home. When you request a quote for container purchases or rentals or call our toll-free number, you’ll always work one-on-one with a knowledgeable sales representative. There are many fraudsters and a few substandard companies, so finding the best deal on a shipping container will keep you on your toes. But we’ve got your back. This blog explains everything you need to know to get the best shipping container deals online.
Shipping Container Deals and Rates
It isn’t always easy to find shipping container deals. Shipping container rates fluctuated wildly between 2019 and 2022 because of global supply chain shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, there was a sharp increase in international freight rates. Most shipping containers are manufactured in China, where the virus originated. The pandemic caused port closures and other congestion around the world. It also led to labor shortages, challenges with capacity utilization, and a severe shortage of new shipping containers. Ocean carriers increased freight weights and delay fees in response to these delays. By the end of 2021, the price of sending a 40ft shipping container to the United States was 330% higher than in 2020.
The prices for a one-trip shipping container began to decrease in late 2022. However, prices for commercial, construction and residential shipping containers for storage, workspace and custom use remain higher than average. This is because the combination of inflated costs and delays in emptying containers led to companies holding on to them longer during imports. This made it more complicated and expensive for container companies like Southwest Mobile Storage to purchase new inventory to rent, sell or modify for our customers.
By 2023, prices for a 40ft shipping container had decreased dramatically, considerably lower than its 10-year average, according to Drewry, a leading global supply chain advisor.
Best Shipping Container Deals
When you’re looking for the best shipping container deal, you should consider a few things if you want to get the best overall value and service. At Southwest Mobile Storage, we’re committed to providing you with the highest-quality shipping container rentals, sales and customizations. Here’s how:

Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing
If you’re looking for the best online shipping container deals, you don’t want any surprises when it comes to billing. At SMS, we will always let you know exactly what to expect from your bill. Other sellers may not include the total cost of your shipping container, like admin fees, taxes, damage waiver fees, whole month versus prorated rent, pickup and delivery. This may lead you to spend more than you expected. Our quotes include the total cost of renting, buying or modifying shipping containers.
Large Rental Selection
Finding the best shipping container deals can often depend on available inventory. We offer a wide selection of sizes and layouts for high-security portable storage and office containers for rent to find what you need for your home, construction site or business. You also get even more convenience when you choose add-ons from our rental options, like shelving and dolly ramps.
Unrivaled Expertise and Fabrication Facility
Our 90,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility allows us to customize shipping containers to your needs. We can build anything, whether simple, like doors and windows or complex, like a mobile water treatment system. Our in-house staff of container modification experts has more than 500 years of combined experience. So, you can rest assured your custom shipping containers are built to the highest quality. As a leader in high-end steel container fabrication, we’ve completed thousands of projects, ranging from complex customizations for NASA and the U.S. Navy to large-scale projects for the City of Los Angeles, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt, and many more.
Custom shipping containers are more than just steel, windows and doors. Whatever you can think of, we can build without you outsourcing anything. We carry out certified safety and quality testing throughout the process so that you can expect reliable finishes and superior repurposed steel containers.
See Before You Buy
When it comes to shipping container deals, often times seeing is believing. At Southwest Mobile Storage, you can always see your container’s condition before you agree to rent, buy or modify it. Other container companies operating like call centers do not offer the same. Your dedicated expert can provide current photos of your container or schedule a time to visit one of our container show yards.
Full Transportation Services
If you’re looking for the best shipping container deals, you need to consider transportation costs. We offer complete transportation services for your containers, including moving services, precise delivery and a narrow ETA window. Not all transportation services are equal when it comes to moving shipping containers. Some container suppliers will leave pickup and delivery to you to coordinate. Our licensed, highly experienced drivers will place your containers precisely where you need them. We offer a two-hour delivery window and 30-minute call before arrival. No other container supplier offers that.
Support at Every Step
When you need containers for your business, construction project or home, you deserve reliable, helpful service you can trust. At SMS, our highly trained container experts are here to answer any questions to ensure you get what you need when you need it.
Full-Service Maintenance
At SMS, we inspect, high-pressure wash and ensure the security of every rental container before delivering it to your construction site, commercial business or home. If you need assistance once your rental containers are delivered, you can request a visit from one of our in-house maintenance experts. That way, your shipping container will stay in excellent condition the entire time you are renting it. Other companies cannot offer the same or might send a third-party unfamiliar with the nuances of corrugated steel.
Related Blogs About Shipping Container Deals
Looking for more information about buying, renting or modifying a shipping container? Our blog is regularly updated and chock-full of insights into the ever-evolving world of shipping containers. These related blog posts can further help you find the best shipping container deals for your needs. Click a link below to learn more.