If you plan to buy a shipping container in Montana this year, you have several choices. You can buy from a local yard, order from a seller that ships from out of state, or contact a private owner. Each choice leads to a different price, a different container, and a different delivery experience.
I research how people buy storage and building equipment, and I wrote this guide to help you compare your options with clear steps. I looked at inventory, inspection, delivery, pricing, and local support, because those points decide whether a purchase goes smoothly.
My top recommendation is MoCan Containers, a family-owned business with yards in Billings and Bozeman. Below, I explain why I recommend them, and I walk you through the choices you need to make before you spend any money.
Start With Your Plan for the Container
Before you call a seller, write down what the container needs to do. This takes ten minutes and saves you from a wrong purchase.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What will go inside: tools, feed, inventory, household items, or equipment?
- How long will you need the container: a few months or many years?
- Where will it sit, and can a truck reach that spot?
- Do you want a plain storage unit, or a workshop, office, or small shop?
- Do you want to buy, or would renting fit your project better?
Your answers point you toward a size, a condition, and a seller. Keep them in front of you as you read.
Your Main Buying Options in Montana
Most Montana buyers choose from three paths.
Local Container Yards
A local yard keeps containers on site. You can see them, ask questions, and talk to the people who deliver. Local sellers know Montana weather, roads, and ranch and job site needs.
Online and Out-of-State Sellers
Some sellers list containers on a website and ship from far away. The listing price can look low, but you often buy from photos. Shipping across a large state adds cost, and the unit that arrives may differ from the one you pictured.
Private Sellers
A private owner may sell a used container for a fair price. You carry the risk. You must check the condition, arrange the truck, and find out if the unit holds out water. Few private sellers can offer a return or help if something goes wrong.
For most buyers, I recommend a local yard. You see what you buy, and you work with a team close to your site.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
I chose MoCan Containers because they match the points that matter most to a Montana buyer.
Local Ownership and Two Yards
They run their business from two locations. The Billings yard sits at 1721 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT 59101, and the phone number is (406) 661-1226. They serve Yellowstone County and eastern and central Montana from there.
The Bozeman yard sits at 39 Jays Way in Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, and the phone number is (406) 661-1684. It serves the Gallatin Valley, Paradise Valley, and the rest of southwest Montana.
They describe their inventory as the largest within a 300-mile radius. A large inventory gives you more units to compare, and it raises the chance that you find the size and condition you want.
You Choose Your Exact Container
This is the point I value most. At MoCan Containers, you can walk the yard, look at each unit, and pick the one you like. They deliver that same container to your site. You never wonder if the unit in a photo matches the one on your property.
Visit rules are simple:
- Billings: stop by the yard to view inventory.
- Bozeman: call ahead and schedule a visit.
- Both yards are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 5:00.
- Friday through Sunday visits are by appointment only.
Inspection and Quality
They inspect and maintain every container. Each used unit gets a check to confirm it is wind and watertight, lockable, and sound in structure. All units use durable steel, and they are waterproof, leakproof, and secure.
Delivery Across Montana
They deliver to homes, farms, businesses, and job sites across the state, and they keep the delivery fee affordable for long distances. Their tilt-bed trailers let the driver place the container where you want it. Their team reviews your space and access needs before the drop-off.
New or Used: Which Should You Buy?
MoCan Containers sells both, and the right choice depends on your budget and how the container will look and work.
New One-Trip Containers
A one-trip container makes one journey before it reaches you. It arrives with fresh paint, intact weather seals, little wear, and limited rust and dents. Choose this if appearance matters, such as for a shop, an office, or a unit that sits near your home.
Used Containers
Used containers cost less and use the same steel construction. They give the same weather protection as new units. You may see faded paint, dents, or surface rust, but these marks leave performance and security the same. You can repaint or modify a used unit to improve its look and extend its life.
Most buyers who plan long-term use choose used containers for farm and ranch storage, tools, construction materials, and workshops.
Choosing a Size
They sell two main sizes, and some 10-foot and 8-foot units come up depending on inventory.
The 20-Foot Container
This size fits tight spots such as driveways, yards, and small job sites. It suits home projects, moderate storage, and small business inventory.
- Inside length: 19 feet 4 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Inside height: 7 feet 10 inches
- Delivery space: about 70 feet of straight, clear room
The 40-Foot Container
This is the largest single unit you can buy. It suits big equipment, bulk materials, hay, machinery, and warehouse overflow. They note that one 40-foot unit can cost less than renting several smaller ones, and it holds good resale value.
- Inside dimensions: 39 feet 5 inches long, 7 feet 8 inches wide, 8 feet 10 inches high
- Outside dimensions: 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, 9 feet 6 inches high
- Door opening: 7 feet 8 inches wide by 8 feet 5 inches high
- Weight when empty: about 8,600 pounds, which may vary
- Delivery space: about 100 feet of straight, clear room, plus space for the truck and trailer to turn
Consider Renting First
If you need storage for a short time, renting makes sense. They rent 20-foot and 40-foot containers from both yards. Rentals start at $150 per month for a 20-foot unit and $190 per month for a 40-foot unit. Terms run from one month to long-term, and you can extend if your project runs long.
Common short-term uses include:
- Home remodeling and renovation
- Storage during a move
- Seasonal business inventory
- Events, festivals, and fairs
- Construction site storage
- Planting or harvest seasons
When the term ends, they schedule a pickup that fits your day.
Get Your Site Ready
Good preparation makes delivery easy. I suggest this order:
1. Measure the straight path the truck needs, using 70 feet for a 20-foot unit and 100 feet for a 40-foot unit.
2. Pick a firm, level spot for the container.
3. Check for overhead wires, trees, and gates along the route.
4. Tell the seller about any tight turns or soft ground.
5. Decide if you want to modify the unit later, and ask about custom work.
Questions to Ask Any Seller
Use this list with every seller you contact:
Prices depend on size, condition, and current supply. Call MoCan Containers for a quote and an inventory check, and they will tell you what they have on hand.
My Final Advice
Buy from a seller you can visit, and pick your own container. Match the size to your site, and match the condition to your budget. For Montana buyers, I recommend MoCan Containers as the first call you make. Their local ownership, large inventory, and clear process give you a solid base for a good purchase.
