Freight Container vs Shipping Container: Are They the Same Thing?

Understanding the Two Terms

The phrases “freight container” and “shipping container” are often used interchangeably, which leads many buyers to wonder if they describe different products. In most real-world applications, they refer to the same steel box.

The difference lies in how the term is used:

• Shipping Container – Emphasizes standardized design for transport by ship, rail, and truck
• Freight Container – Emphasizes the role of carrying freight or cargo

Both usually describe ISO-standard steel containers in 20ft and 40ft sizes.

Where Each Term Is Commonly Used

The term “freight container” appears more often in:

• Logistics and transportation documents
• Rail and trucking operations
• Government and infrastructure planning

“Shipping container” is more common in:

• Commercial sales
• Construction and storage applications
• Everyday business use

Despite the different language, the physical unit is the same in nearly all cases.

Standard Sizes and Configurations

Whether labeled freight or shipping, these containers follow global ISO standards. The most common options include:

• 20ft Containers – Compact and easy to place
• 40ft Containers – Maximum interior capacity
• High Cube Containers – Extra height for racking and equipment
• New (One-Trip) Containers – Like-new condition
• Used Containers – Budget-friendly and wind & watertight

All are built from corrugated steel and engineered for long-term outdoor use.

How Businesses Use Freight Containers Today

While designed for transport, these containers are now widely used as stationary storage:

• Construction site tool and material storage
• Warehouse overflow
• Equipment and inventory security
• Temporary retail and workspaces
• Long-term commercial storage

Their durability and portability make them more flexible than traditional buildings.

Why the Name Doesn’t Change the Product

A freight container and a shipping container are manufactured to the same structural standards. Both feature:

• Heavy-gauge steel walls
• Lockable double doors
• Wind and watertight construction
• Forklift and crane lifting points

What matters is size, condition, and configuration—not the label.

Delivery and Placement

Most containers are delivered using tilt-bed trucks and placed directly on your site. You can learn how this works on our Shipping Container Delivery page.

Many buyers also choose Pay on Delivery or coordinate transport through our Pick-Up Service.

Choosing the Right Container

Instead of focusing on terminology, buyers should evaluate:

• Required interior space
• New versus used condition
• Site access and placement area
• Short-term or long-term use

The right configuration ensures the container fits both your operation and your budget.

Industry Standards

Modern containers follow ISO specifications that allow them to move seamlessly across ships, trains, and trucks. This standardization is what made global freight scalable.

For technical reference, see the International Organization for Standardization.

Are They the Same?

In practice, yes. A freight container and a shipping container are the same steel unit described from two different perspectives. One highlights transportation, the other highlights purpose.

For storage, construction, or business use, either term leads to the same durable, secure solution.