40ft Standard Shipping Containers for Sale
Twice the floor area of a 20-footer at the standard 8'6" exterior - built for serious workshops, equipment storage, and big-volume projects.
The 40ft Standard doubles the floor area of a 20 - roughly 304 square feet of clear interior - while staying under the 8'6" exterior height envelope that simplifies most accessory-structure permits along the Front Range. For property owners with the lot space and a project that needs real volume, this is the most square-footage-per-dollar option in our Aurora yard at every condition grade.
It’s the working choice for serious workshops, two-bay garage conversions, jobsite material lockers along the E-470 build corridor, and hobby-farm equipment storage out in Adams County, Strasburg, and Watkins. The full 40-foot interior length means you can walk a sheet of plywood end to end without rotating it, hang two long workbenches, and still have a clear traffic lane down the middle.
The catch is the same as on a 20ft Standard: the 8'6" exterior. Once you insulate and finish a ceiling, you’re sitting around 7'2" of headroom - fine for utility space, marginal for sleeping or daily living. ADU and tiny-home builders almost always step up to the 40ft High Cube for the same footprint plus the foot of extra wall.
Hard Numbers for the 40ft Standard
Precise ISO measurements your architect, framer, and Aurora plan-checker will all ask for.
| Measurement | Imperial | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 40' × 8' × 8'6" | ISO standard envelope |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 39'5" × 7'8" × 7'10" | Before insulation & finish |
| Door opening (W × H) | 7'8" × 7'5" | Double cargo doors |
| Floor area | 304 sq ft | Marine-grade plywood floor |
| Tare weight (empty) | ~8,1,6,0 lbs | Affects foundation & delivery |
| Cubic capacity | 2,389 cu ft | |
| After insulation & finish | ~280 sq ft | ~7'0" headroom |
40ft Standard Grades In Stock
One footprint, four price tiers - pick the grade that matches your build.
Premium builds
Almost new. One overseas voyage, then retired for sale.
View DetailsBest value for most projects
CSC-inspected for international shipping. The sweet spot for builds.
View DetailsBudget builds
Dry inside but not export-rated. Strong choice for storage and rougher builds.
View DetailsHow the Four Sizes Stack Up
Pick the footprint and ceiling that fits the build.
| Feature | 20ft STD | 20ft HC | 40ft STD | 40ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor area | 146 sq ft | 146 sq ft | 304 sq ft | 304 sq ft |
| External height | 8'6" | 9'6" | 8'6" | 9'6" |
| Ceiling after insulation | 7'0" | 8'0" | 7'0" | 8'0" |
| Cubic capacity | 1,172 cu ft | 1,326 cu ft | 2,389 cu ft | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight | 5,0,5,0 lbs | 5,2,9,0 lbs | 8,1,6,0 lbs | 8,7,7,5 lbs |
| From price (CW) | $1,4,5,0 | $1,7,5,0 | $2,1,0,0 | $2,4,5,0 |
What Aurora Owners Build with a 40ft STD
A few of the projects this footprint handles well.
Workshop with loft
2-room ADU
Bulk storage
Layouts That Work Inside a 40ft STD
Tried-and-true plans local builders pull off the shelf.
Open Studio
Best for guest space, Airbnb, simple cabin builds.
1-Bedroom Tiny Home
ADU, full-time tiny living, family guest house.
Workshop + Office (Dual Use)
Hobby shop, garage bay, dedicated WFH space.
40ft STD Buyer Questions
How much site clearance do I need to deliver a 40ft STD?
For tilt-bed delivery we need straight clearance of roughly 75 feet and at least 14 feet overhead. Tight Aurora lots can usually be handled by flatbed + crane - we'll evaluate during the quote.
Do I need a permit in Aurora for a 40ft STD?
Pure storage on private property usually doesn't, but anything habitable (ADU, office with utilities) goes through Aurora Planning. The 8'6" / 9'6" exterior height matters for accessory-structure caps.
What foundation should I use?
Concrete piers at the four corner castings are the cheapest code-friendly option for the Front Range. Gravel pads work for storage; slabs are overkill for most container projects.
How long does delivery take?
Most Front Range deliveries land within 3–7 business days of order. Long-haul out of state takes longer - we'll quote the timeline with the price.
Can I see the actual unit before buying?
Yes - the Aurora yard is open Mon–Fri for scheduled walk-throughs. Email us to set a time.
Want Numbers on a 40ft STD?
Drop your ZIP and we'll send pricing plus a delivered total anywhere in the Aurora delivery radius.