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Shipping Container Price Index: October 2026 Costs
- OCTOBER 9, 2026
A new one-trip 20ft shipping container costs about $3,100 to $3,850 in October 2026. A new 40ft high cube costs about $4,300 to $5,650. Prices are falling across the West Coast because more new containers are arriving at the ports.
Trend: Falling.
Why: More new containers are reaching Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle, and Tacoma, and yards are lowering prices to make room. Drewry’s World Container Index, which tracks ocean shipping costs for a 40ft container, was $4,351 on October 8, 2026, down 2% from the previous week and continuing a gradual fall from September rates.
October 2026 Price Snapshot
Region | Size | Price Range | Trend | What It Means for You |
Southwest | 20ft New | $3,100 – $3,500 | 📉 Falling | Supply is high. A great time to buy. |
Southwest | 40ft High Cube New | $4,300 – $4,900 | 📉 Falling | Plenty of stock for bigger storage needs. |
Pacific Northwest | 20ft New | $3,450 – $3,850 | 📉 Falling | Cheaper than mid-summer. Good selection. |
Pacific Northwest | 40ft High Cube New | $4,950 – $5,650 | 📉 Easing | Moving down slowly. Stock is moderate. |
These are typical customer purchase prices at our yards. Delivery is extra.
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Shipping Container Cost in October 2026?
Shipping container prices are still dropping in major West Coast markets. New containers arriving this month and next are lowering prices for both 20ft standard and 40ft high cube units.
In the Pacific Northwest, local supply has balanced out, so prices are easing. In the Southwest, a large number of containers landed at Southern California ports. That gave yards plenty of stock, and prices stayed near their lowest levels of the year.
- Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Tacoma): New 20ft containers cost $3,450 to $3,850. New 40ft high cubes cost $4,950 to $5,650.
- Southwest (Los Angeles/Long Beach/Phoenix): New 20ft containers cost $3,100 to $3,500. New 40ft high cubes cost $4,300 to $4,900.
Key Takeaway: Mid-fall is shaping up to be one of the best times to buy a container in 2026, in both the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest.
Why Prices Changed This Month
Four things are moving prices heading into late October:
- More Port Deliveries: Ships brought more new containers to West Coast ports. That gives yards extra stock.
- Lower Replacement Costs: Our suppliers lowered their rates to clear space for incoming stock. That lets us lower what customers pay.
- Steady Ocean Shipping Costs: Shipping a container from Asia is not spiking. As of October 8, 2026, Drewry’s World Container Index sits at $4,351 per 40ft container (down 2% week-over-week). Shanghai-to-Los Angeles spot rates also dipped 3% to $7,624, reinforcing stable container replacement costs for West Coast yards. Drewry is a trusted source for global container shipping rates.
- Fall Demand: Farms, builders, and small businesses are buying for harvest and fall projects. Good boxes still move fast.
New Container Price Breakdown by Region
The prices below are typical retail prices for one container at our yards. Delivery is calculated separately based on mileage.
Pacific Northwest (Seattle–Portland Corridor)
Market Trend: 20ft prices dropping | 40ft high cube prices easing
Size | Price Range | Trend | Supply |
20ft New | $3,450 – $3,850 | Down | Balanced |
40ft High Cube New | $4,950 – $5,650 | Down / Easing | Moderate |
What We’re Seeing in the Yard: New shipments in Tacoma and Seattle are bringing steadier stock to our Washington and Oregon yards. That means more choice and slightly lower prices than this summer.
Southwest (Los Angeles, CA – Arizona Area)
Market Trend: Lower prices (great time to buy!)
Supply Level: High
Size | Price Range | Trend | Supply |
$3,100 – $3,500 | Down | High | |
$4,300 – $4,900 | Down | High |
What We’re Seeing in the Yard: Suppliers in Southern California cut prices to clear space for new arrivals. Buyers in California and Arizona are seeing some of the best prices of the year.
Delivery Note (Not Included in Pricing)
Important: Delivery is not included in the prices above. We quote delivery separately based on how many miles your site is from the nearest Get Simple Box yard and how easy the drop-off spot is to reach.
Price History: Last Month vs. This Month
We update this page every month. Here is how new container prices have moved.
Month | 20ft Southwest | 20ft Pacific Northwest | 40ft HC Southwest | 40ft HC Pacific Northwest |
October 2026 | $3,100 – $3,500 | $3,450 – $3,850 | $4,300 – $4,900 | $4,950 – $5,650 |
September 2026 | $3,100 – $3,500 | $3,450 – $3,850 | $4,300 – $4,900 | $4,950 – $5,650 |
What Our Yard Teams Are Seeing
Here is what our yard managers are seeing on the ground:
- California Clearouts: Suppliers in Los Angeles and Phoenix are offering lower prices on new shipments so their yards don’t get overcrowded.
- Northwest Inventory Relief: New shipments in Tacoma and Seattle are filling gaps. Buyers have better choices on both 20ft and 40ft containers.
- Strong Rental Demand: Businesses are getting ready for fall projects and holiday inventory, so rentals stay busy.
30–90 Day Market Outlook
- Southwest: Prices are near their lowest point of the year. As extra stock sells off, prices should level out by late fall.
- Pacific Northwest: Lower replacement costs in Seattle and Tacoma should keep 20ft and 40ft prices steady through the fall.
- Ocean Shipping: Drewry forecasts spot rates to remain subdued or soft post-Golden Week, preventing sudden rate surges for importers and keeping local box prices predictable into early winter.
Simple Buyer Advice
- Buying in California or Arizona? Conditions favor buyers right now. If you need a container soon, this is a great time to buy.
- Buying in Washington or Oregon? Lower replacement costs mean better selection and lower prices on new 20ft and 40ft boxes than in mid-summer.
- Plan ahead: Order early so your container is delivered before fall rain and snow slow down delivery schedules.
Shipping Container Pricing FAQs
How much does a new 20ft shipping container cost?
In October 2026, a new 20ft one-trip container costs $3,100 to $3,500 in the Southwest (California and Arizona). In the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon), it costs $3,450 to $3,850. Delivery is extra.
How much does a new 40ft high cube container cost?
In October 2026, a new 40ft high cube costs $4,300 to $4,900 in the Southwest and $4,950 to $5,650 in the Pacific Northwest. Delivery is extra.
Are shipping container prices going up or down?
Prices are going down. In October 2026, new 20ft and 40ft containers are getting cheaper across the West Coast because more containers are arriving at the ports and yards are lowering prices to clear space.
What is the best time to buy a shipping container?
Right now is a strong time to buy, especially in California and Arizona, where prices are near their lowest of the year. Ordering before winter also helps you avoid weather delays on delivery.
Is delivery included in the container price?
No. Delivery depends on the miles from our yard, road conditions, and how hard your site is to reach. Pricing delivery separately means you only pay for the distance and equipment you need.
Why are 40ft container prices higher in Washington than in California?
Los Angeles and Long Beach get a larger share of ocean shipments, so California has more supply. Seattle and Tacoma get fewer replacement shipments, so supply is tighter and local prices run a bit higher.
What is a one-trip shipping container?
A one-trip container is a new container built overseas and shipped to the United States once. It is then sold for storage, business, farm, or construction use. One-trip containers are in near-new condition with very little wear.
Why do shipping container prices vary by location?
Prices change based on local supply, transportation costs, port activity, and how many people are buying in your area.
Get an Upfront Local Quote Today
This report is built from real retail sales at Get Simple Box yards, current stock levels, supplier pricing, and feedback from our local teams. We also use Drewry’s World Container Index to track global shipping costs. Our goal is to give you an honest, clear picture of the market before you buy.
Planning a project? Contact your local Get Simple Box team. We offer upfront pricing, real photos of the containers in our yards, and a clear delivery plan for your site.
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