Shipping container business: Top 5 ideas to make big profits [2025]

Read this blog to learn all about the top 5 shipping container business ideas to make money in 2025.

Starting a shipping container business is a wise move for several reasons. Containers are tangible assets that last up to 25 years if well maintained. Most containers have excellent resale value, and you can modify them to create spaces for multiple types of business.

However, shipping container investment is not without its risks. Therefore, you’ll need a reliable platform to regularly buy shipping containers at the best prices.

Container xChange, an online marketplace with 100,000+ containers in 2,500+ locations globally, can help you. We work with only vetted members, so you don’t need to worry about scams or being ripped off. 

Check out how easy it is to use xChange to find the containers you need within your budget on our public search now.

Top 5 shipping container business ideas: Turn a profit with containers

There are five main ways to turn a profit using shipping containers. You can use one of these methods or all five for your business.

1. Buy and sell containers: Container trading business

The ‘buy and sell’ method is simple: Buy containers in low-demand (surplus) locations and sell them again in high-demand (deficit) locations. A container trading business is scalable, so you can start by buying a few units and expand over time.

How to start a container trading business?

Starting a container trading business begins with finding a secure and reliable online marketplace to connect with trustworthy partners. xChange provides exactly that, with over 1,700 vetted members in one place.

Let’s go over a quick ‘buy and sell’ scenario using our marketplace:

1. First, you check offers on xChange to see what the container type and size you’re after is selling for, and in which area it’s going for a cheap price.

2. After some research, you see that a 20ft cargo-worthy container is selling for a low price in Charleston, US, at just $910. So you hop onto the xChange platform to buy containers in this city.

3. On further research, you find the same 20ft containers are selling for $2,650 in Denver, US. So you hop back onto the trading platform and sell your 20ft containers in Denver, making a profit of  $1,740 per container.

Imagine scaling this by trading 30 containers between these locations—the profits could be significant!

Here’s what Johann Lubaton, owner of Pier Container, a container trading company, has to say about using xChange:

“I mainly source containers through xChange because it’s cheaper and more efficient than my previous suppliers. The platform is super user-friendly, and the pricing recommendations are a huge help.”

Read how Pier Containers is growing a successful business with xChange.

Ready to explore container trading to make money? See how our marketplace works, or talk to our experts for more information. 

2. Container storage business 

Shipping containers can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them excellent for storing valuable cargo.

These versatile units are perfect for setting up a storage container business. You can create a storage facility by repurposing either new or used containers. Read more about starting a shipping container self-storage business now. 

Used shipping containers are ideal for this business. This way, you can buy containers at low prices and establish your container storage business easily. 

Find used shipping containers under $1,000 to start your storage business!

3. Container business for construction companies and builders

Shipping containers are easy to customize and cater to various businesses across industries. Here are some popular ideas for shipping container modifications:

Container office: Building a mobile container office is a cost-efficient and flexible alternative to a regular office. You can use the space yourself, or put the office up for rent. 

Container restaurant: Another way to make money with containers is to build shipping container restaurants, a shipping container cafe, or a shipping container bar.

Shipping container store: A shipping container store is an innovative retail shop built using shipping containers.

Container homes: Container homes are growing in popularity in the US as housing costs go up and available space in cities becomes scarcer. 

To make your container modification business a success, you’ll have to secure containers at the cheapest prices. That’s where we come in with 100,000+ containers in various sizes and conditions for you to choose from. 

Best of all, you can negotiate the final price directly with the seller, without the fuss of a middleman. 

Click the banner below to find offers from vetted suppliers at prices that beat the competition!

4. Buy, reposition, and sell containers

This method works in almost the same way as the ‘buy and sell method’, except that you lease your containers out for the one-way move and make money on the pick-up charges as well. Here’s how: 

• On xChange, you find 20ft containers for sale at $1,110. 
• These same containers sell for $2,650 in Denver, US, and pick-up charges for the route are $690. 
• By buying in Shanghai, leasing for the move, and selling in Denver, you can make a profit of $2,230 per unit

Book a free demo with our experts to find out how xChange can help you grow your business today! 

5. Shipping container leasing business

In a container leasing business, success lies in purchasing quality containers at low prices and leasing them for one-way moves along high-demand routes—such as China to the US—where pick-up charges are lucrative.

To start a container rental business, you’ll need a reliable supply of containers and a global network of users.

On Container xChange, you can buy containers at competitive prices and use our platform as live inventory to avoid purchasing a large fleet upfront.

Then, use our leasing marketplace to find vetted users for one-way moves.

Want to know more about how you can start a container rental business? Book a free demo with our experts today!

How to start a shipping container business?

Starting a shipping container business might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry. We’ll break it down into simple steps for you.

Do your market research 

Before you begin, you’ll need to assess the current demand for containers both locally and internationally. You’ll also need to establish what specific niche you’ll target, such as shippers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, or container traders.

Identify your competitors

It’s extremely important to identify your competitors and figure out what they’re doing well, and where you can top them. Check out similar businesses and try to work out how you can solve customer’s pain points and satisfy their needs better than your competitors.

Create your business plan

Creating a business plan is important, especially if you want to get investors on board. Here are some important sections to include:

• Business description: This should explain what your business does. 
• Competitor analysis: Explain who your competitors are and what sets you apart from them. 
• Marketing strategy: Create a strategy to detail how you’re going to reach your target audience and convince them that your products or services are better than your competitors. 
• Products and services: Outline your products or service offerings.  
• Operations and management plan: Cover exactly how your business is going to run; how many staff you’ll need, what kinds of processes will be put in place, etc. 
• Financial plan and projections: Include your budget plus all financial requirements.

Choose a legal structure

There are four main types of business structures: Sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company (LLC). You’ll need to do some research to figure out which structure works best for your needs.

Register your business

Register your business and organize all permits and licenses required in your jurisdiction. For example, NVOCCs or freight forwarders in USA must obtain an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). 

Open a business bank account

It’s important to have a separate business bank account as it’s more professional and makes it easier to apply for loans or credit. Besides this, having a business account makes tax returns quicker and easier. 

Find a secure online leasing and trading marketplace

Finally, you must find a reliable marketplace to source the equipment you require for your shipping container business. 

Luckily, Container xChange is exactly what you need. Explore shipping containers for sale on our marketplace. Join our network to access new, used, or specialized containers from reputable suppliers at competitive prices.

Now that we’ve learned all about the steps to take, let’s dive into the 4 most important things to keep in mind when starting your business.

4 things to keep in mind when starting a shipping container business

Starting any kind of business comes with risks. So what are some of the things you need to keep in mind before you explore shipping container business opportunities? Let’s find out. 

-Container depreciation: Even though containers are an in-demand asset, they still depreciate over time.

-Damage and loss: Container damage is a real factor, as sometimes units get battered at sea, or even fall off ships. So it’s important to have container insurance to recover your money when disasters strike. Luckily, with Container xChange, you can get the best insurance for your equipment. Find out more about xChange insurance manager.

-Unreliable partners: Untrustworthy lessees and buyers can default on payments, resulting in a loss of income. For the long-term success of your business, it’s important to work with reliable and vetted partners, like on xChange.

-Market volatility: Shipping container prices are always changing, and these fluctuations can affect your return on investment. Especially if you sell your inventory at the wrong time. Be mindful of what’s happening in the industry, as well as the current prices, before making any business decisions. 

Want the latest container market news and industry trends? This way you can stay ahead of the curve and make the best decisions for your shipping container business. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter below to stay up-to-date.

Start your container business with xChange and earn profits 

To run a successful business, you need the right tools. Choosing a platform for trading and leasing that is safe and easy to use should be a priority. This is where Container xChange comes in. 

Full transparency on prices

We offer complete price transparency. You can browse and compare multiple container offers at the same time to find the options that best fit your budget. You’re also able to negotiate directly with the seller if you feel the price is too high. 

0% commission and fees

On xChange, we don’t charge any commission on deals. So the price you agree on with a partner is the amount you’ll shell out or be paid. 

Vetted partners

All members on xChange have to undergo a mandatory background check, so you can be assured all partners you work with will be trustworthy and reliable. Plus, check out company profiles before deciding who to work with.

7-day window period to check the quality 

On xChange, you’ll have 7 days to check the container’s condition and make sure you’re happy with your purchase. If the container you’ve received does not match the offer, you can choose to swap the unit or receive a refund.

Ready to get the containers you need for your business today? Talk to our experts to see the marketplace in action and start making money! 

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