20ft Container for Sale in Kenya — Buy a 20 Foot Container in Nairobi

20ft Container Dimensions & Specifications

Understanding the exact dimensions of a 20ft container is critical before you buy — you need to be sure it fits your site, matches your use case, and fits your budget.

External Dimensions: - Length: 6.06 m (20 feet) - Width: 2.44 m (8 feet) - Height (Standard): 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) - Height (High Cube): 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)

Internal Dimensions (Standard): - Internal Length: 5.90 m - Internal Width: 2.35 m - Internal Height: 2.39 m - Door Opening Width: 2.34 m - Door Opening Height: 2.28 m

Capacity & Weight: - Internal Volume: 33 cubic metres (CBM) - Floor Area: approximately 14 square metres - Tare Weight (empty): approximately 2,200 kg - Maximum Gross Weight: 30,480 kg - Maximum Payload: approximately 28,200 kg

The High Cube variant adds 30 cm of headroom — making it far more comfortable for homes and offices. If you are converting a 20ft container into a liveable space, always specify High Cube.

Condition Grades Explained — New to As-Is

Not all containers are equal. Condition grade is the biggest factor in both price and suitability. Here is what each grade means in practice:

New / One-Trip Container A new 20ft container has been used for just one shipping voyage from Asia to Kenya. It arrives in near-perfect condition — no rust, original paint, pristine floors. This is the best choice for high-end homes, pharmaceutical storage, or food manufacturing. Expect to pay Kshs 350,000–450,000.

IICL / Cargo Worthy (CW) Certified by an independent surveyor as structurally sound and fit for international shipping. Ideal for ongoing cargo use or quality conversions. Priced at Kshs 220,000–280,000.

Wind and Watertight (WWT) The most popular grade in Kenya. The container is guaranteed to keep out wind and rain — no holes, intact seals, working doors. Surface rust is normal. Best value for shops, offices, and homes. Priced at Kshs 160,000–220,000.

Food Grade WWT Same as WWT but the container was previously used to carry food-grade cargo (rice, grains, dry goods) — no chemical residue. Important if you plan to store food products or use the container as a kitchen. Priced at Kshs 180,000–250,000.

As-Is Condition Sold with no guarantees. May have dents, rust patches, leaking seams, or door issues. Cheapest option at Kshs 140,000–175,000 but requires inspection before purchase. Best for structural use where watertightness is not critical.

Top Uses for a 20ft Container in Kenya

The 20ft container's 14 sq.m floor area and 33 CBM capacity make it incredibly versatile. Here are the most popular applications across Kenya:

Retail Shops & Kiosks A 20ft container makes an ideal roadside shop, boutique, hardware stall, or M-Pesa/phone accessories kiosk. Add a serving window, roller shutter door, and shelving, and you have a professional business premises in days — without the landlord.

Container Offices Compact 2–4 person offices, site offices for construction projects, reception areas, and security guard posts. Insulate the walls and ceiling, install a split A/C unit, and you have a professional air-conditioned workspace.

Storage Units The original use — securing equipment, inventory, building materials, and personal belongings from rain, theft, and rodents. Many Kenyan businesses and farms rely on 20ft containers for secure on-site storage.

1-Bedroom Container Homes A single 20ft High Cube container is enough for a comfortable studio or 1-bedroom home: living/sleeping area, kitchenette, and a compact bathroom. Popular in peri-urban areas and rural towns where building materials are expensive.

Workshops & Fabrication Spaces Welding, carpentry, electrical repair, and small-scale manufacturing. The corrugated steel walls are fire-resistant and the container can be secured after hours.

Schools & Ablution Blocks Community classrooms, computer labs, and sanitation facilities in rural areas where permanent construction takes too long or costs too much.

20ft vs 40ft Container — Which Should You Buy?

The choice between 20ft and 40ft depends on your budget, site, and intended use. Here is a direct comparison:

Choose a 20ft container if: - Your budget is under Kshs 250,000 - Your site has limited access — narrow roads or tight turns - You need one shop, one office, or compact storage - You want to start small and add a second container later - You are building a studio or 1-bedroom home

Choose a 40ft container if: - You need double the space (67 CBM vs 33 CBM) - You are building a 2–3 bedroom home - You need a large shop, restaurant, or event space - Your site can accommodate a 12-metre structure - The per-square-metre cost is more important than total outlay

For container homes, many Kenyans start with a single 20ft and add a second unit side-by-side or stacked — creating a custom footprint at incremental cost. Call us to discuss the right configuration for your project.

What Affects the Final Purchase Price?

Several factors determine the exact price you pay beyond the base condition grade:

Port of Entry & Availability Most containers enter Kenya through Mombasa. Prices fluctuate based on how many containers are available at the port yard at any given time. Tight supply pushes prices up; excess inventory brings them down.

Age of the Container Containers manufactured in the last five years are generally priced higher than those that are 10–15 years old, even within the same condition grade.

Floor Condition The original marine-grade hardwood floor can rot or splinter if the container was used to carry corrosive cargo. Replacing the floor adds Kshs 15,000–30,000.

Door Functionality Both swing-out doors should open and close smoothly with working locking rods and gaskets. Damaged doors require repairs of Kshs 10,000–25,000.

Delivery Distance The further you are from our Nairobi yard or Mombasa port, the higher the transport cost. Always get a delivery quote before finalising your budget.

Delivery of a 20ft Container Across Kenya

Frontier Containers EA Limited delivers 20ft containers across Kenya using dedicated tilt-bed and crane trucks. Our delivery service includes transport and on-site placement — no separate crane hire needed.

How delivery works: The container is loaded at our yard onto a tilt-bed or crane truck. The driver calls you 2–3 hours before arrival. On site, the truck uses its own crane arm or tilts the bed to slide the container into position.

Site requirements for a 20ft container: - Access road at least 3 metres wide (4+ metres preferred) - Overhead clearance of at least 4.5 metres (watch for power lines) - Firm, level ground at the placement point - No sharp turns tighter than 10–12 metres radius on the access route

Estimated delivery costs from Nairobi: - Within Nairobi: Kshs 15,000–35,000 - Kiambu / Thika / Machakos: Kshs 25,000–45,000 - Nakuru / Naivasha: Kshs 45,000–65,000 - Nyeri / Mount Kenya region: Kshs 55,000–75,000 - Kisumu / Western Kenya: Kshs 80,000–110,000 - Eldoret / North Rift: Kshs 70,000–95,000 - Mombasa / Coast: Kshs 90,000–120,000

Call 0715 557 559 for your exact delivery quote.

20ft Container Price Guide — Kenya 2026

Prices from our Nairobi yard. Delivery is charged separately. Call 0715 557 559 for today's exact availability and pricing.

💡 These are indicative ranges. Call us for your exact quote: 0715 557 559

Frequently Asked Questions