Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shipping container?
A shipping container is a unit that is traditionally used to ship goods by boat from one port to another. They are made of steel with strength that is suitable to withstand shipment, storage and handling.
Can I purchase/rent a container?
Are you looking for alternatives to the traditional shed, garage, storage unit, home or even calving shed? Shipping containers offer a great resource for all of these things, plus more! We have several options available for purchase. The benefit of a local company is the ability to inspect before you buy. Our facility is open 8-5 Monday through Thursday (Fri-Sun by appt only), and we can be available on weekends and weeknights if prior arrangements have been made. MoCan also offers both on and off-site shipping container rentals.
What can you use a shipping container for?
Shipping containers are becoming more popular for uses other than shipping cargo. Because they are affordable and portable, people have been purchasing shipping containers and converting them into homes, retail spaces (both permanent and mobile), offices, temperature controlled storage, greenhouses, on-site restrooms, and more. They are also used as architectural elements to build bridges, hotels, schools and other commercial facilities.
What sizes are available?
We have multiple sizes available from 8 ft. to 40 ft. View our container specs.
Can I buy a new container?
Yes. We have both new and used containers for purchase. New “one trip” containers have only been used once to transport goods, so they arrive in excellent condition with fresh paint, weatherproof seals, and secure locking systems. View our container specs.
Do you offer container conversion?
That depends. Let talk about your project. Below are some recent examples of some shipping container conversion projects.
What do the grades and descriptions mean?
Every container is graded on a scale of A-C. It’s important that you know the grade of the container and how to best choose the container you need based on what you intend to use your container for.
A Grade: Good quality, clean interior, door seals intact, fully welded, vermin proof, wind and watertight. Container is usually between 8 – 12 years of age.
C Grade: Fair quality, dents and surface rust can be present, and containers are wind and watertight. Container is usually between 10-14 years of age.
Do I need a permit to place a container on my property?
Maybe. That depends on your property, neighborhood, and Home Owner’s Association (HOA) and/or Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs) rules. Generally, it’s easier to get a permit if you are placing the shipping container on your property for a short amount of time. In many cases a permit isn’t required at all. If you plan to make your shipping container a permanent structure on your property, then you should probably get a building permit as you would for any other building structure.
What are the benefits of a one-trip vs. used shipping container?
The benefits of a one-trip container (vs. used) is mostly the container aesthetics (how it looks), some HOA’s allow one trip containers if they match the house, less rust and dings, and one trips generally have an easy open handle on one side.