DELIVERY GUIDE
What the truck needs at your address.
Almost every delivery problem is an access problem, and almost every access problem is visible before the truck is booked. Before ordering, measure the delivery path from the exact placement point. The truck needs a long, straight approach so the container can be safely unloaded.
Still choosing a container? Compare shipping container sizes and dimensions or read how to buy a shipping container.
STRAIGHT-LINE SPACE
20FT CONTAINER
110 ft
of straight, unobstructed space, measured from the intended placement point and extending straight forward.
40FT CONTAINER
130 ft
of straight, unobstructed space — the same requirement for both the 40ft Standard and the 40ft High Cube.
The driver cannot turn within the required 110-foot or 130-foot delivery space. That distance has to be straight. A long driveway that bends halfway down does not count as clear space.
HEIGHT & WIDTH CLEARANCE
These apply to every container type in this guide.
15 ft
DRIVING HEIGHT
Maintain at least 15 feet of overhead clearance while the delivery truck is driving.
22 ft
UNLOADING HEIGHT
Maintain at least 22 feet of overhead clearance along the entire unloading path — the bed rises as the container comes off.
10 ft
PATH WIDTH
Maintain at least 10 feet of width along the delivery path.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR SITE
-
Mark the exact spot where the container will sit. Every measurement starts here.
-
Measure straight forward from that point — 110 feet for a 20ft container, 130 feet for a 40ft — and confirm the whole run is straight and unobstructed.
-
Walk the full route the truck will take and look up. Check for trees, wires, rooflines, gates, slopes and other obstacles — not just the final placement area.
-
Confirm 15 feet of driving height, 22 feet of unloading height along the whole unloading path, and 10 feet of width.
-
Share what you found when you request pricing. Access details early are what keep a delivery date from moving.
DELIVERY READINESS CHECKLIST
DELIVERY QUESTIONS
Where exactly does the 110 or 130 feet start?
At the intended placement point. Measure from there and extend straight forward — not from the street, and not around a corner.
Why is unloading height higher than driving height?
Driving needs 15 feet of clearance; unloading needs 22 feet along the entire unloading path because the truck bed lifts while the container comes off.
Does the high cube need more space than a standard 40ft?
The straight-space requirement is the same 130 feet. The high cube is a foot taller externally — 9' 6" against 8' 6" — so overhead clearance deserves a second look.
What if my site does not have the space?
Say so before ordering. A smaller container, a different placement point or a staging location nearby are all easier to arrange in advance than on delivery day.