40ft Open Top Shipping Container

Yes, a 40ft open top container is specifically designed to handle heavy and oversized machinery that may not fit through the doors of a standard shipping container. Because the roof is removable, cranes and lifting equipment can lower machinery directly into the container from above.

A 40-foot open-top container typically offers around 2,345 cu. ft. / 66.4 m³ of internal cargo space. In terms of weight, it usually supports a payload of around 58,710 lbs (26,630 kg), with a maximum gross weight that can go above 67,000 lbs (30,480 kg) depending on the unit specification.

The main difference between a 40ft GP (General Purpose) container and a 40ft HC (High Cube) container is height. A 40ft GP container has a standard exterior height of 8 ft 6 in, while a 40ft HC container is 9 ft 6 in high, giving you 1 extra foot of internal height. That additional vertical space is useful for taller cargo, pallet stacking, shelving systems, and easier movement inside the container.

Open top containers are used for loading and transporting oversized or bulk cargo that can’t fit through standard container doors, such as machinery, timber, and metal scrap. They are commonly used as open top containers for scrap metal export, allowing direct crane loading from above for faster port handling.

You can find used 40ft shipping containers for sale through trusted container suppliers like Pelican Containers, which offers inspected new and used containers across the United States.

Used 40ft open top containers usually run between $2,500 and $5,500. It really depends on the condition, where you're buying it, and whether it comes with the tarps and bows.

Yes, open-top containers are usually more expensive than standard dry containers of the same size. This is because they are built with a specialized roof system that includes removable bows, a tarpaulin cover, and reinforced structural components to support top loading.