Container Buying Guide in Kenya (2026)

Container Sizes Available in Kenya

The two standard sizes sold in Kenya are the 20ft and 40ft containers.

A 20ft container is 6 metres long and provides approximately 14 square metres of floor space. It's ideal for storage, small shops, offices, and 1-bedroom homes. It's also easier and cheaper to transport.

A 40ft container is 12 metres long and gives approximately 28 square metres. It's better value per square metre and suits larger projects — 2–3 bedroom homes, multi-door stalls, large offices, and warehouses.

You may also encounter 10ft containers — these are cut from 20ft units and are useful in tight spaces, but cost more per square metre.

For any project where people will spend time (homes, offices, schools), we recommend the High Cube variant — it's 30cm taller (2.9m vs 2.6m), giving much better headroom after insulation and ceiling installation.

Container Condition Grades Explained

Not all used containers are equal. Understanding condition grades helps you choose the right container for your needs and budget.

As-Is: The container is sold in its current state, without any guarantee. These are cheapest but may have dents, rust, or door issues. Only buy As-Is if you can inspect carefully and plan to modify the container anyway.

Wind and Watertight (WWT): The container has no holes and intact door seals — it keeps out wind and rain. This is the standard minimum for storage and most business applications. Recommended for most buyers.

Cargo Worthy (CW): The container still meets international shipping standards and is structurally sound. Generally in better condition than WWT.

Food Grade: The container has only ever transported food products and has not been used for hazardous chemicals. Highly recommended for homes, schools, offices, and food businesses — your health and safety matter.

What to Inspect Before Buying

Always inspect a container in person before paying. Here's what to check:

Structure: Stand back and look at the overall shape. Minor dents are normal. Avoid containers with major structural damage that affects the frame.

Rust: Some surface rust is normal on used containers and can be treated. Deep, flaking rust or rust holes are serious — they compromise structural integrity and weatherproofing.

Roof: Check for dents that hold water. A sagging roof area is a problem.

Doors: Both doors should open, close, and lock smoothly. Check the hinges, locking bars, and rubber gasket seals around the door frame.

Floor: Press on the marine plywood floor in different spots. It should be solid with no soft or rotten spots. Look for holes.

Light test: Close yourself inside (or have someone close the doors) and look for any daylight coming through the walls, roof, or floor. Any light means holes.

Smell: A strong chemical odour inside is a red flag. It may indicate the container transported hazardous goods — avoid using this for any human-use project.

Delivery and Offloading

The price quoted for a container is usually for the container at the depot. Delivery to your site is charged separately and varies by distance.

Within Nairobi: 20ft containers cost approximately Kshs 15,000–35,000 to deliver; 40ft containers Kshs 25,000–55,000 depending on location and access.

For upcountry deliveries (Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, etc.), prices are higher. Contact us for a specific delivery quote.

Our self-loading crane trucks can both transport and offload the container. Make sure your site has: clear truck access (at least 4 metres wide), overhead clearance, level ground, and enough space for the crane to manoeuvre.

We're happy to advise on site preparation before delivery day.

New vs Used Containers

New (one-trip) containers are in pristine condition — no dents, perfect seals, maximum lifespan. They cost 30–50% more than used containers.

For most applications in Kenya, used containers are the smarter choice. A used container in WWT or food grade condition still has 15–25 years of useful life ahead. When you're modifying it into a home or office, the interior finish completely hides the container's age anyway.

Buy new when: appearance matters (no cladding planned), maximum lifespan is critical, or budget isn't a concern.

Buy used when: you're modifying it anyway, primary use is storage, or budget is important (which it usually is).

Current Container Prices in Kenya (2026)

These are indicative price ranges. Actual price depends on condition, availability, and delivery location. Call us for your exact quote.

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

Frequently Asked Questions