20′ HC Open Top Container – Heavy-Duty Shipping & Storage Solution for Oversized Cargo

20ft High Cube Open Top Container

Here's what this container is, so you know what you're looking at. It's a 20-foot steel container that has no solid roof on top. A removable tarpaulin cover goes over steel roof bows instead. High cube means it stands about a foot taller than a standard box. Outside, it measures roughly 20 feet long and 8 feet wide.

What people use it for

Open tops are for cargo that won't fit through a normal door. A crane can lower machinery, pipes, timber, or glass straight in from above. That saves cutting or stripping the load down to squeeze it through. Builders and engineers use them to move big parts between sites. Some firms also use them for bulk loads like scrap, rubble, or recycling.

The good points

Loading from above is faster, and it's safer for heavy or awkward loads. The extra height gives you more room before cargo pokes above the top. The end doors still open, so a forklift can load it the usual way too.

The honest bits

The tarp is the weak point, so look at it closely. Tears, worn seams, and loose lashings all let rain in. Replacing a tarp costs real money, so ask about its age and condition. A tarp can also be cut, so an open top is less secure than a closed box.

Cargo that sticks out above the top brings extra shipping charges, so check the rules before you plan one. Secure every load with proper lashing, and use trained people for crane lifts. An empty 20-foot box weighs roughly 5,000 pounds, so it needs a firm, level base. Delivery needs a tilt-bed truck or crane, plus room to maneuver. Ask whether it's new, one-trip, or used, and ask for the CSC plate if it will travel overseas.

If you run a business

If you supply builders, engineers, or haulage firms, open tops fill a real gap. Few shops stock them, so they stand out from standard containers. Buying through a wholesale distributor usually brings your cost per unit down. You also get straight answers about tarp condition, door type, and how units get delivered. Freight is the biggest cost with containers, so ask about it before ordering.

That's all we do really: tell you what we have, ship it, and let you decide.