Are you thinking of upgrading your business from local retail to export? If you’re consistently hitting your targets and you’ve saved enough to be able to take your business offshore, then it’s a clear sign that you should consider international trade. At the same time, you have to reinforce your local business structure so that it can have a stable footing when it’s time to expand.

One of the most important facets of exportation that you should prioritize is the shipping process. Make sure that the products you will deliver stay in shape throughout each trip. To achieve that, you need to use high-quality shipping containers. These are huge steel boxes traders and shipping companies use to store and transport all kinds of goods.

Tips on How to Buy a Shipping Container to Improve Business Operations

It is safe to say that shipping containers play a huge part in the success of your plan to upgrade. Therefore, you have to be careful when choosing the units to buy. The last thing you need is a shipping container that is either too small to support your shipping needs or is made of substandard materials. Here are top factors that you should consider when trying to find out how to buy shipping container.

Container Type

Not all containers are created equal. Some are taller and wider, while others have unconventional opening. Some containers have an open top, while others are completely enclosed and open only on one side. With these differences in features, it can be hard to find the container type that suits your need. The first thing you need to do is to determine the types and sizes of your cargo. That way you will know how big the container you need is and what type of opening mechanism it should have.

The most common type of container is the dry container, which comes at a variety of sizes, from 10 to 20, and even 40 feet. If you’re delivering typical market goods and supplies, this may be the right option. And since you’re just starting up, you can kick off with a small container to keep cost at a minimum.

If your products are irregularly shaped, a flat rack container may be suitable since its sides can be folded down. An open-top container may also work, especially if your products have a considerable height that cannot be adjusted. These types of container can accommodate large items like heavy machinery, sculptures, and customized furniture.

There are plenty of other types of containers that you can choose from, including side open storage container, insulated or thermal containers, and half height containers. Choosing the right one for your business can save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Budget

Setting a reasonable budget is something you should do in any kind of purchase, whether it’s a shipping container, a home, or a car. This is particularly crucial if you are trying to find an easy way to filter your choices.

Obviously, brand new container units will cost a bit more than overused ones. If you have no issue spending the dough for it, then all should be good. However, if you’re looking for something more cost-efficient, going for a pre-owned unit is the right move. Also, leave some room in your budget for possible maintenance needs or upgrades.

Space for the Containers

Shipping containers are huge items. They will occupy a huge portion of your property and require special towing and unloading. In most cases, you will need a crane to lift and place the containers right where you want set them up. You have to take all of these activities into account, especially if you have limited space on your property.

Other Applications

These days, shipping containers are no longer used solely for transporting goods. They can now be repurposed into different kinds of structure, including home, storage space, and mobile restaurant. Since you’re upgrading your business, you may need to put up additional facilities on your property to support your upgraded operation.

Choosing to build your new facilities using shipping containers will not just save you huge sums of money, but it can also expedite your launching. Unlike traditional building methods, setting up and modifying shipping containers into function rooms does not require huge labor and long timeframe. This means you can have your buildings ready as soon as you decide to ship your first set of goods.

Looking for high-quality shipping containers can be quite challenging, but you can make things much easier by choosing the right supplier instead. Suppliers like Equipment Management Services usually have the best units on their lot, considering that they operate huge off-dock storage and maintenance facilities in Houston. Apart from that, they also offer great delivery services so you can rest assured that your chosen units will be in excellent shape from towing to setup.

 

Sources:

Complete Guide to Buying Shipping Containers. ContainerHomePlans.org.

10 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy a Shipping Container. OffGridWorld.com.