20ft Open Side Shipping Containers

Full-Length Access Along the Side

A conventional container only opens at one end, which means the item you need is often buried at the back. A 20ft open side shipping container solves that with a set of folding doors running along one long wall, typically in addition to standard cargo doors at the end. When the side doors swing open, nearly the entire length of the interior is exposed, so you can reach anything without unloading everything else.

Dimensions and Layout

Open side units share the external dimensions of a standard 20ft container, so they occupy the same footprint.

• External: about 20' long x 8' wide x 8'6" high, with high cube versions about 9'6" high
• Internal: approximately 19'4" long x 7'8" wide, with height slightly less than a standard unit in some designs due to the side door framing
• Side opening: close to the full container length when all side doors are open

Interior dimensions vary by manufacturer, so confirm the measurements on the specific listing if you are planning to load wide items.

Who Uses Open Side Containers

The design shines wherever frequent, organized access matters.

• Retail pop-up shops, concession stands, and bars
• Equipment rooms where carts or pallets are loaded from the side
• Contractor storage with racking along the back wall
• Farm and ranch storage for feed, tack, and implements

Because the side can open fully, these containers also work well for events and display setups that need a wide service window.

Inspection Points Specific to Open Side Units

The extra doors add moving parts, so check them carefully. Every side door should open, close, and latch smoothly. Look at the rubber seals around each panel and at the hinges for corrosion. Confirm the locking bars engage properly, since the side wall relies on them for both security and weather resistance. As with any container, examine the floor, the roof, and the CSC plate. Many open side units are sold new or one-trip, though used units may be offered when available.

Site, Delivery, and Ordering

Place the container on level, firm, well-drained ground. Because side doors span a long opening, an uneven base can twist the frame and make the doors bind, so careful leveling with blocks, ties, or a gravel pad matters even more here. Also leave enough clearance on the door side for the panels to swing open completely.

Delivery is typically by tilt-bed truck, so think through which direction the side doors should face before the driver arrives. Listings show units currently in stock. Order online, and our team will confirm availability, the final price, tax, and delivery arrangements before any payment. Check local zoning and HOA requirements before installation.