How much does it cost to deliver a Sea Container?

Delivery pricing depends on your location and how quickly you need the Sea Container. Whether you’re hiring or buying, we calculate the cost based on the distance from our depot to your site, always aiming to offer the most cost-effective option, including backload rates where available.

All delivery fees are included in your quote, unless you choose to pick up the container yourself.

Estimated delivery costs

Inner Metro Areas (Within 30 km of a capital city port)

  • Tilt Tray (20ft): From $410 + GST
  • Side Loader, HIAB or Super Tilt (20ft & 40ft): From $545 + GST

Regional / Distance-based delivery

  • Tilt Tray (20ft): From $4.50 per kilometre + GST
  • Side Loader, HIAB or Super Tilt (20ft & 40ft): From $5.90 per kilometre + GST

How we deliver your sea container

Delivery depends on your site access, container type and truck availability.
At Perth Containers, we make sure every delivery is safe, efficient and cost-effective.

1. Tilt Tray

Tilt trays are the main delivery method for 10ft Sea Containers and 20ft Sea Containers, unloading from the truck’s rear by tilting the tray onto a flat surface. Be sure to confirm your preferred door orientation with our team before loading.

Note: For 40ft Sea Containers, super tilt trays can be used where available. Tilt Tray trucks can also transport trailers, allowing two 20ft Sea Containers to be delivered at once.

Tilt-Tray Specifications

  • Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’

  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft
  • Height (when unloading): 5m / 16ft or 6m / 20ft
  • Width: 3.5m / 11.5ft
  • Length: 20m / 65ft or 40M / 131ft

2. Side Loader

A side loader is a semi-trailer which uses a swing lift at either end of the trailer, or tray to pick up, using the containers strong robust corner casts to offload.

Note: Side loaders are generally a more expensive delivery option than a tilt tray.

Side Loader Specifications
  • Sea Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’
  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft

  • Height (when unloading): 10m / 33ft

  • Width (when driving): 3.5m / 11.5ft

  • Width (when unloading): 6m / 20ft

  • Length: 16M / 53ft

3. Hiab

Hiab trucks feature a crane at the front or rear, enabling precise sea container placement in hard-to-reach areas. They can lift Sea Containers over small obstacles like low fences and accommodate 10ft Sea Containers, 20ft Sea Containers, and 40ft Sea Containers sizes, though weight limits apply.

Note: Whenever possible, Perth Containers uses tilt trays or side loaders, as HIAB deliveries tend to be more expensive.

HIAB Specifications

  • Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’

  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft

  • Height (when unloading): 10m / 33ft

  • Width: 3.5m / 11.5ft
  • Length: 18M / 53ft

4. Flatbed / Semi Trailer

Flatbed trucks are widely available across Australia and often provide the most cost-effective delivery option. However, unloading requires a forklift or crane at the delivery site.

Note: For customers with onsite unloading capabilities, we can arrange flatbed delivery. For longer distances, a flatbed can handle most of the journey, with a tilt tray, side loader, or Hiab completing the final leg if a crane isn’t available.

Flatbed Specifications

  • Container Size: 3m / 10’ or 6m / 20’ or 12m / 40’

  • Height (when driving): 4.6m / 15.1ft
  • Height (when unloading): 10m / 33ft
  • Width: 3.5m / 11.5ft
  • Length: 18M / 53ft

Sea Container Placement Options

A stable, level surface is key for safe container delivery. Concrete, hardstand, or level gravel/blue rock works best.
Dry, trimmed grass is acceptable with support, such as treated timber blocks, and at least 5cm elevation for airflow.
Surface conditions may affect the truck type needed.

Limited space in front or behind the delivery area

In tight spaces, a side loader lifts the Sea Container from the truck’s side and places it securely beside the vehicle.

Angled placement or obstacles to lift over

For angled placements or when obstacles are in the way, a Hiab crane is used to safely position the Sea Container on the landing pad.

Available space in front or behind the container placement

If there’s enough space, a tilt tray unloads the Sea Container and lets the truck drive forward smoothly.

Getting Ready for a Delivery

Directions of Doors

Side Loader

Side loader trucks unload from the driver’s side only. This means that when doors face the cabin the doors will face the same direction as the front of the truck when unloaded. Doors to rear will result in the doors facing away from the front of the truck.

Tilt Tray

Tilt tray trucks unload by sliding the container off the tray. If the doors face the cabin, they touch the ground last and follow the truck’s direction; if they face the rear, they touch first and face the opposite way.

Hiab

Hiab trucks use a crane arm to adjust the container’s direction. Let us know if you need the doors facing the cabin or the rear for efficient unloading.

Sea Container Placement

Lay down area

Make sure your container pad is level, dry, and firm. Concrete or hardstand is ideal, but level gravel or blue rock will also help keep the doors functioning properly.

Lay down area

For proper airflow and to prevent moisture buildup, use a raised hardstand or add footings such as treated timber, concrete blocks, or car tyres. Sea Containers can be placed on grass if the area is dry, the grass is short, and additional support is provided.

Clear Delivery Path

Obstructions

Safety is our top priority at Perth Containers. We evaluate your site conditions and any potential obstacles such as vegetation, fences, power lines, walls, and underground structures to determine the safest delivery method for your needs.

Ground Conditions

Trucks, especially with containers, are heavy. Please ensure access is dry, firm, and level preferably on sealed or compacted roads and inform us of any wet conditions or access challenges. Any recovery costs or delivery delays due to poor access or heavy rain will be the customer’s responsibility.

Delays & Cancellations

On site time allowances

Our quote covers up to 30 minutes for unloading. Any additional time will incur extra charges, and the driver will inform you if there are any delays.

Cancellations & Changes

You can modify delivery arrangements at no cost with at least 24 hours notice. Once the truck has left the depot, any schedule changes will incur additional fees.

If you need to change the delivery date, for example due to poor weather, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible.

Sea Container Delivery FAQs

Can’t find the answer you need about Sea Container delivery? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

  • Delivery is typically quick. Once your agreement is finalised, we’ll allocate your container and arrange for a local contractor to handle the delivery. This usually takes just one or two days, and sometimes even the next day. Learn more about delivering your Sea Container.

  • Sea Containers are delivered using self-offloading trucks, with methods like Tilt Trays, Side Loaders, Flatbeds, and Hiab Cranes based on site access. We work with you to choose the best option for your location, ensuring a smooth delivery. Please inform us of any access restrictions like narrow driveways or uneven ground.

  • Rain can become an issue if it leads to trucks needing to cross water, soft ground like dirt roads or grass, or affects the stability of your footers or the container placement area.

    Please let us know as soon as possible if your area has been impacted by rain that could cause delivery complications.

  • Please inform us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule your delivery. We can typically accommodate changes without charge if we receive at least 24 hours notice.

  • When placing your order, we’ll ask for your delivery preferences and provide an estimated delivery time. Prior to delivery, our transport operator will contact you with an estimated arrival time at your site. If you have any questions about your delivery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.

  • We will do our best to accommodate your preference for a specific truck type when delivering your container. Please let us know your preference when discussing your site conditions. You can learn more about delivery here.

  • In some cases, we can arrange temporary storage for your container prior to final delivery. Please let us know your storage needs, and keep in mind that, in most instances, your container will be inaccessible during this time.

  • Delivery typically takes place within 24 to 48 hours of payment receipt. However, delivery times may vary depending on your location.