Open Top containers for Sale
An open-top container swaps the solid steel roof for a removable tarpaulin over steel bows, so you can crane bulky or over-height loads in from above. We stock 20ft and 40ft cargo-worthy open-tops, ideal for machinery, glass, scrap, and anything that won't fit through standard end doors.
Open Top Shipping Containers for Sale
When cargo is too tall or too awkward to push through the end doors, an open-top earns its place. Instead of a fixed steel roof it has removable steel roof bows and a weatherproof tarpaulin, so a crane or excavator can drop loads straight in from above. The end doors still open normally, and the rear header bar swings out of the way for over-length pieces that wouldn't otherwise clear the door frame. We carry 20ft and 40ft open-tops in cargo-worthy condition, inspected and certified wind and water tight.
What open tops are built for
- Machinery, engines, and equipment too tall for door loading
- Glass, timber, and pipe craned in as full bundles
- Scrap, aggregate, and bulk fill loaded by grab or excavator
- Project cargo that needs top access on site
- Conversions wanting natural light or vertical loading
- Tall plant and tanks that have to drop in from overhead
How they seal and secure
The tarpaulin pulls over the bows and ropes down through eyelets along the top rails, keeping the load wind and water tight in transit. Once the bows and sheet are back in place, the box locks and weatherproofs much like a standard container, and the cargo doors still carry the usual cam-locking gear. Bear in mind the tarp roof isn't load-bearing, so open-tops aren't meant to be stacked under heavy boxes or walked on. The same goes for the removable header bar: it bolts back in to keep the door end square once loading is done.
Alternatives and ordering
If your load isn't over-height and you just need volume, a standard 20ft container will be cheaper and fully steel-roofed. For other non-standard layouts like flat-racks, bunded stores, and offshore-rated boxes, see our specialized containers. Roof-bar and interior measurements are on the container dimensions page, and you can always request a quote for a specific spec or a 40ft over a 20ft.
Open-tops ship flat $500 nationwide by tilt-bed truck, handling 1-3 days and transit 3-10. Remember you'll need crane, telehandler, or excavator access at your site to load from the top once the container is placed and the tarp is rolled back.
Open-top stock is limited, so confirm availability before you build your project schedule around one. Each unit is covered by our 30-day return policy. If you're not certain an open-top is the right call versus a flat-rack or a standard box, describe your cargo and lifting gear and we'll steer you to the unit that loads cleanest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an open top container?
It's a container with removable steel roof bows and a tarpaulin instead of a fixed steel roof, letting you load tall or bulky cargo from above with a crane. The end doors still open normally. We stock 20ft and 40ft.
How much does an open top container cost?
Our open-top units run about $3,550 for a 20ft up to $5,300 for a 40ft, cargo-worthy condition, with flat $500 nationwide delivery included. They cost more than standard boxes because of the removable roof system.
Are open top containers weatherproof?
Yes, when the bows and tarpaulin are fitted and roped down they keep weather out like a standard container. The tarp roof isn't load-bearing, though, so they shouldn't be stacked under heavy containers.
Can I load an open top from the top after delivery?
Yes, that's the point of the design, but you'll need a crane, telehandler, or excavator on site to lift cargo over the rails. Plan lift access before delivery and confirm interior heights on our container specifications page.
What's the difference between an open top and a flat rack?
An open-top has full sides and end doors with just the roof removable, so it's enclosed except from above. A flat rack drops the sides too, for very wide or oversized loads. See both under specialized containers.