Shipping Container Delivery Process: An Important Part of Buying a Container

Shipping containers are in great demand nowadays. Having estimated the pros and cons of buying a shipping container, almost every other person or company is looking for a used unit to transport their goods or to store them securely.

In their quest for that perfect box, three most important factors that they encounter are — the cost, quality, and delivery process of shipping containers. As a veteran in the container trading fraternity, Pelican Containers handles all three aspects with sheer experience and technical know-how. Our highly knowledgeable staff will offer you top quality containers at the best possible prices, whereas our fully-trained and certified drivers deliver the containers with perfection at the trickiest locations using the most sophisticated machinery.

Container Delivery Service

The entire process of shipping container delivery is as simple as a click from the comfort of your living room couch. To start with, you need to fill out a short form on our website with a few basic info like your contact details, your preferred container type, and size, and most importantly, the purpose your container is expected to serve.

After a careful evaluation of the information you have shared, our agents will contact you with further queries and soon after, you’ll start receiving free quotes from us. Normally, during weekdays, you can expect to receive free quotes within an hour after your request. If your request reaches us over the weekends, we’ll respond on the next business day.

Once you agree on the desired container characteristics and price, you can proceed to discuss a delivery method and delivery schedule with our transportation department. You can either pick up the container on your own from our depot, or let us arrange the shipping container delivery process for you to any agreed location.

Container Pick-up

Our storage container delivery network is stretched all over the world. Once we get the confirmation of your purchase, we will arrange for pick-up or delivery within three weeks. If you choose to pick up your container from our container storage location yourself, you need to make an appointment with us before dispatching your vehicle. We’ll load it on your delivery truck or trailer at no additional cost. However, you’re to arrange for the pick-up within two weeks from the date of purchase.

Container Delivery

Apart from having our own delivery services, we have partnered with a few of the nation’s largest third-party carriers who can deliver your box at your location for a flat fee. The container delivery cost depends on our actual cost of delivery and is additional to the container price. Please, get in touch with us for a delivery price quote.

Usually, up to 150 miles, a 20’ container is delivered on a medium-duty truck with a roll-back trailer. Whereas, a 40’ unit is delivered on a medium or heavy-duty truck with a tilt bed shipping container delivery trailer that meets ground level for loading and unloading the stationary equipment on the bed.

However, if the drop-off location is beyond 150 miles, an ordinary tilt bed or roll-back trailer will not suffice. For such long-distance deliveries, a medium or heavy-duty truck with a flatbed, step-deck, or hot-shot trailer will be appropriate for containers of all sizes.

Kindly note that a medium or heavy-duty forklift service or a specialized lifting mechanism may be needed at the delivery location. Hence, plan for the same in advance. You can also contact us for assistance.

If you plan to unload the container yourself, we’ll only arrange for its delivery on a flatbed trailer so that you can save a lot of money. Otherwise, we can also arrange for deluxe slide-off delivery service if you want us to unload the container. This will engage a specific fee though.

What You Need to Pay Attention to When Delivering Shipping Containers

You need to bear a few things in mind when planning a delivery process of a shipping container, which are as follows:

• A few states and cities (e.g., Bend, Oregon in the USA) have restrictions on container usage. Always check this aspect with local municipal authorities before buying a container or arranging your shipping container pick-up and delivery. There may also be a fee for usage of a shipping container within the city limits. Please note that you need to take responsibility for any such legality;
• Our trucks are heavy and cannot navigate through soft or uneven surfaces. Smooth, solid, and leveled grounds, preferably covered with gravel, are the best;
• Both underground and overhead cables, as well as overhanging trees and manholes, play a deterrent role in truck movement;
• To deliver a 40-foot container, our trucks need 120ft long, 10ft wide, and 16ft high obstruction-free space;
• Similarly, for a 20-foot container, we need 70ft of straight clearance, along with 10ft wide, and 16ft high space;
• ‘S’ curves, horseshoe bends, driveways with more than 4% grade, etc. are major obstacles for bulky delivery trucks;
• If you want us to deliver the container on a highway or other public locations, you need to assume all legal responsibilities and seek appropriate approvals from the authorities.

If you want to know more about how shipping containers are unloaded at the delivery location, please read our resource on tips for safely unloading a shipping container.

Pelican Containers has been in the shipping container pickup and delivery trading for years now and is a reputed name in the US market. We supply almost all container varieties and offer personalized services.