Most shipping container delivery problems come down to one thing: the site wasn’t ready. The truck can’t get in, the ground is too soft, or there’s a branch in the way. Here’s how to make sure your delivery goes smoothly.
Know which truck is coming
Tilt trays tilt the tray and slide the container off the back. They’re used for most 10ft and 20ft deliveries. They need a straight run behind the truck and plenty of overhead clearance as the tray tilts up.
Side loaders lift the container off the side of the trailer with two cranes. They’re used for most 40ft containers and for placing containers precisely. They need room along the side of the truck for the stabiliser legs.
Check access
- Is the driveway wide enough? Allow at least 3.5m.
- Are there tight corners, gates or low eaves?
- Any overhead power lines or branches?
- Will the ground take the weight of a loaded truck?
Send a few photos to your supplier before delivery day. It’s much easier to sort out a problem in advance than when the truck is in the street.
Prepare the ground
The container should sit level so the doors open and close properly. The best options are:
- Concrete slab or pavers – ideal if you have one.
- Compacted gravel pad – drains well and is cheap.
- Sleepers or concrete blocks under each corner – simple and effective.
Keep the container off bare dirt so air can move underneath and the floor stays dry.
Think about where the doors face
Decide which way you want the doors before the truck arrives. With a tilt tray, the doors usually end up facing the truck’s direction of travel or away from it, depending on how it’s loaded. Tell your supplier so they can load it the right way round.
Weather
After heavy rain, soft ground can stop a delivery. If your site is likely to be boggy, consider rescheduling or laying a gravel path.
On the day
Have someone on site to show the driver where the container goes. Move cars, bins and anything else out of the way. And keep kids and pets well clear while the container is being unloaded.
Shipping container delivery checklist
- Photos of access and placement sent to the supplier
- Ground firm and level, sleepers or blocks ready
- Gates open and wide enough
- Cars, bins and trailers moved
- Overhead clearance checked
- Someone on site with a phone
What if the truck can’t get in?
If the driver decides the site isn’t safe, the container may have to go back to the depot and you could be charged for a second trip. That’s why photos beforehand matter. Sometimes a smaller truck, a different placement or a crane solves the problem.
Shipping container delivery to rural properties
Farm deliveries come with their own challenges: long dirt tracks, cattle grids, gates and creek crossings. Walk the route the truck will take and look for soft spots, sharp turns and low branches. Tell us about any gates narrower than 3.5m and any grids or culverts that might not take a heavy truck. In wet seasons, a dry run of a few days before shipping container delivery makes all the difference.
If the container is going a long way off the road, it may be easier to drop it near the road and move it later with a tractor and chains, a forklift, or a hired crane truck.
Quick answers
How long does shipping container delivery take on the day?
Usually less than an hour once the truck arrives, if access is clear.
Can the driver place the container exactly where I want?
Within reason. Side loaders are more precise than tilt trays.
Do I need to be home for delivery?
Yes, or have someone there who knows where it should go.
Read our full delivery guide or email sales@mrfequipments.com.au with your postcode and site photos for a delivery quote. Ready to buy? See all shipping containers for sale.