20ft Open Top Shipping Containers for Sale

What is a 20ft open top container?

A 20ft open top container uses a Cor-Ten steel body without a permanent steel roof. Removable steel roof bows support a heavy-duty tarpaulin, which can be taken off when cargo needs to be lowered into the container from above.

The upper rear door header can also be moved clear on suitable units, creating more vertical access at the door end. This makes the design useful where a crane, gantry or suitable site lifting equipment will be used to position the load.

• Top loading: removable roof bows and tarpaulin allow suitable cargo to be lowered into the container.
• End access: the movable upper door header can provide additional clearance for tall loads.
• Securing points: internal lashing points can be used as part of an appropriate cargo securing arrangement.
• ISO footprint: the container retains the standard external footprint used for intermodal handling and transport.

If you need the same type of access with a longer loading area, consider a 40ft open top shipping container. Cargo that also exceeds normal container width may be better suited to a flat rack container.

20ft open top container specifications

Measure both the cargo and the available loading area before choosing a container. The dimensions below provide a useful reference, although internal measurements can vary slightly between manufacturers and individual units.

If the load can pass through standard end doors and does not need overhead access, a 20ft shipping container may be the more straightforward option.

Buying or hiring a 20ft open top container

Buying normally suits long-term use, repeated projects, one-way export movements or applications where you need greater control over future modification and relocation. Once purchased, the container remains your asset and can continue in use after the original job has finished.

Hire can be more suitable for temporary engineering works, maintenance periods, seasonal projects or other jobs with a defined end date. Before hiring, check what modifications are allowed, who is responsible for damage and what access will be required when the container is collected.

If you are weighing up the two options, compare the equivalent 20ft open top container hire service before deciding.

Condition grades and what to inspect

Condition descriptions help narrow down the type of unit you need, but they should not be treated as guarantees. The actual container, tarpaulin, roof bows, doors and frame still need to suit the intended job.

• One-trip: generally describes a container that has made one cargo journey after manufacture and is relatively close to new condition.
• Wind and watertight: describes a used container intended to keep normal wind and rain out when its doors, roof bows and tarpaulin are correctly fitted and in suitable condition.
• Cargo-worthy: refers to a used container considered structurally suitable for cargo transport, subject to its current inspection and approval status.
• IICL: refers to inspection and repair criteria associated with the Institute of International Container Lessors.

On an open top unit, pay particular attention to the tarpaulin, roof bows, upper door header, corner castings, side rails and securing points. Bent bows or damaged roof components can affect how the cover sits and how rainwater drains from it.

For international freight, check the CSC, or Convention for Safe Containers, plate and confirm that the container is acceptable for the intended movement. The International Maritime Organisation provides information about the international container safety framework.

Delivery and site access for a 20ft open top container

Plan the delivery route before the container arrives. The vehicle needs enough space to enter the site, turn where necessary and reach a position from which the container can be set down safely.

A HIAB is a lorry-mounted crane commonly used for container placement. Its effective reach depends on the vehicle position, container weight and site conditions, so the intended set-down point should be considered before delivery rather than after the vehicle is on site.

Check gate width, bends, parked vehicles, trees, cables and building overhangs along the access route. The final area should be firm and level, with sufficient working space for the delivery vehicle and any stabilisers needed during lifting.

Soft or uneven ground can allow the container to settle and twist. This can affect the door frame and movable header, making them harder to operate. Level supports beneath the corner castings can help keep the container aligned and raise the base clear of standing water.

The Department for Transport’s guide to lorry types and weights provides useful background on UK goods vehicle configurations and weight limits.

Loading, weather protection and condensation

The main advantage of an open top container is access from above, but that also means the roof components need to be refitted correctly once loading is complete. Make sure the roof bows are in position, and the tarpaulin is properly secured before the container is left exposed to the weather or moved.

Water trapped inside the container or within packaging can lead to condensation. Avoid loading wet timber, damp packaging or waterlogged machinery where possible. Raising stored goods from the floor can help air move around the load, while suitable moisture-control products may be useful for wrapped machinery or other sensitive cargo.

Heavy loads also need an appropriate securing plan. Use suitable lashing points and securing equipment for the cargo, and make sure sharp edges cannot damage straps or coverings during handling and transport.

Exporting a 20ft open top shipping container

Open top containers can be used for international freight, including cargo that projects above the normal roof line, but export use requires more than choosing a container that physically fits the load.

Confirm the container’s CSC status, maximum permitted mass, cargo dimensions and securing arrangements with the shipping line or freight forwarder. VGM, or Verified Gross Mass, is the confirmed gross weight of the packed container used for sea transport requirements.

Out-of-gauge cargo can affect vessel handling, documentation, routing and charges. Customs declarations, tariff classification, insurance, tax and contractual responsibility should be checked with the appropriate customs agent, freight forwarder, shipping line, insurer or adviser. Information on UK trade and customs requirements is available through GOV.UK and the Department for Business and Trade.

If Incoterms 2020 are used in the contract, check the relevant rule through the International Chamber of Commerce and make sure responsibilities for transport, risk and insurance are clearly understood before dispatch.