Frequently Asked Questions

At Horizon Retailers, we keep extensive yard inventory in the most popular Australian industrial and residential sizes:

• 10ft Mini Containers: 3.05m (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.59m (H) • 15.9 m³ volume. Ideal for tight residential blocks, tools, and backyard lockups.
• 20ft General Purpose (GP): 6.06m (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.59m (H) • 33.2 m³ volume. Holds 10 standard Australian pallets. Australia's most requested container.
• 40ft General Purpose (GP): 12.19m (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.59m (H) • 67.5 m³ volume. Holds 20-22 Australian pallets.
• 40ft High Cube (HC): 12.19m (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.90m (H) • 76.4 m³ volume. Offers an extra 30cm (1 foot) of vertical head height.

The sole difference is the vertical ceiling height:

• Standard Height (General Purpose): Stands 8ft 6in (2.59m) externally, with an internal ceiling height of approx. 2.39m.
• High Cube: Stands 9ft 6in (2.90m) externally, with an internal ceiling height of approx. 2.69m.

Which should you choose? If you plan to insulate the ceiling, build a site workshop, install mezzanine shelving, or pack tall cargo using a forklift, the High Cube gives you essential extra breathing room for minimal price variance.

ISO shipping containers are engineered to withstand colossal maritime stacking loads:

• 20ft Container: Empty Tare Weight is ~2,200 kg. Maximum Gross Weight rating is 30,480 kg, giving you a payload capacity of up to 28,280 kg.
• 40ft Container: Empty Tare Weight is ~3,800 to 3,900 kg. Maximum Gross Weight rating is 30,480 kg, providing a payload capacity of approx. 26,500 kg.

All floor structures are reinforced with heavy-duty C-section steel crossmembers supporting 28mm marine-grade hardwood plywood flooring.

Yes, 100%. All "Single-Trip New", "Cargo Worthy", and "Wind & Water Tight" (WWT) units dispatched from Horizon Retailers are inspected and guaranteed to be vermin-proof and weather-sealed.

The cargo doors feature continuous heavy-duty EPDM rubber perimeter gaskets that seal airtight against the steel door jambs. As long as the container is placed on level ground so the doors hang square, rain, dust, mice, snakes, and insects cannot penetrate.

We coordinate dedicated industrial transport to match your site layout:

• Tilt-Tray Truck: The truck reverses up to your chosen spot, tilts the tray, and slides the container off backward. Most economical for 10ft and 20ft containers on open driveways or paddocks.
• Side-Loader: Hydraulically lifts the container off the right-hand (driver's) side of the trailer and sets it down parallel to the truck. Standard choice for 40ft containers and tight street drops.
• Hiab Crane Truck: Uses a mounted hydraulic crane arm to lift 10ft or 20ft containers over fences, hedges, or into confined yards where trucks cannot reverse.

For a standard 20ft container delivered via Tilt-Tray, your site requires:

• Length Clearance: Minimum 20 metres of straight-line access in front of where the container will rest (the truck is approx. 10m long plus needs room to pull forward).
• Width Clearance: Minimum 3.5 metres width through access gates and driveway corridors.
• Height Clearance: Minimum 4.8 metres overhead clearance free of power lines, telephone cables, tree branches, and roof eaves (as the truck bed raises to slide the unit off).

All shipping container weight is carried strictly by the four bottom corner castings. Proper site preparation requires:

• Firm, Level Ground: Ensure the ground is firm, compacted, and well-drained. Never place a container on loose topsoil or mud where corners can sink unevenly.
• Footing Blocks: We strongly advise placing treated hardwood timber blocks (e.g. railway sleepers) or 400x400mm concrete pavers directly beneath the 4 corners. This lifts the steel floor structure 50-100mm off damp soil to allow airflow and prevent corrosion.
• Door Orientation Planning: Decide beforehand whether you want the container doors facing the front (truck cab) or rear of the truck so it slides off facing the direction you desire.

Because we operate directly out of our Port Macquarie depot (1 Uralla Rd) with owned container stocks:

• Local Port Macquarie & Mid North Coast: Standard delivery within 1 to 3 business days. Same-day or next-day emergency dispatch is often available upon request.
• Regional NSW & Interstate: Typically dispatched within 3 to 5 business days depending on specific transport route scheduling.

Because containers are manufactured overseas, they cannot be shipped to Australia empty economically. A "Single-Trip" container is built brand new at the factory, loaded once with clean, dry commercial cargo, shipped directly to Australia, unpacked, and immediately transferred to our depot.

These units are essentially brand new: pristine paint, flawless marine plywood floors, pre-fitted tamper-proof padlock lockboxes, easy-to-operate door handles, and a 25+ year structural lifespan.

A Cargo Worthy (CW) container is structurally certified to meet stringent International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) standards. This classification guarantees that the corner castings, structural frame, wall panels, and floor joists are capable of carrying full international maritime payloads and being stacked aboard container vessels or loaded onto rail.

Aesthetically, CW containers have spent years in commercial rotation and will feature surface scratches, scuffs, and minor dings, but they are structurally flawless and CSC-plate certifiable.

Wind & Water Tight (WWT) units have completed their international shipping service life and been decommissioned for domestic static storage. They are no longer certified for sea transport, but our depot team thoroughly tests them to guarantee:

• Zero holes or light leaks in walls and roof panels.
• Intact door rubber gaskets preventing water or rodent entry.
• Solid, rot-free marine ply floorboards.

WWT containers will exhibit exterior surface rust, dents, and faded original shipping line liveries, making them the most cost-effective choice for rural acreage, farm equipment, tools, and general storage.

All quality ISO containers are manufactured from SPA-H Corten weathering steel—an alloy containing copper, chromium, and nickel that develops a protective surface patina arresting deep structural corrosion.

• New Single-Trip: 25+ years in coastal environments with virtually zero maintenance.
• Used Cargo Worthy / WWT: 10 to 15+ years of dependable static storage.

To maximize lifespan, keep the unit elevated off damp soil on footings and touch up any deep exterior scratches with anti-corrosive primer.

Yes. Horizon Retailers issues compliant Australian Tax Invoices with transparent 10% GST itemization. There are never any surprise handling fees, fuel surcharges, or hidden checkout costs. The price on your quotation is the exact final price you pay.

The Australian shipping container market has unfortunately suffered from unlicensed offshore brokers scamming buyers on social media with fake addresses and PayID requests. Horizon Retailers Pty Ltd operates with 100% transparency:

• Australian Company: Horizon Retailers Pty Ltd (ACN: 692 121 421).
• Verified ABN: 43 692 121 421 (freely verifiable on the Australian Business Register at abr.business.gov.au).
• Physical Depot: 1 Uralla Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444.
• Depot Inspection: We welcome customers to inspect our stock in person prior to making a payment.
• Direct Banking: All payments are processed through formal Australian bank accounts registered directly to our company name.

We accept secure, traceably documented payment methods:

• Direct EFT / Bank Transfer: Direct to our official Australian company account (Horizon Retailers Pty Ltd) as stated on your formal tax invoice.
• Major Credit & Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard.
• Commercial Accounts: 30-day billing arrangements available for pre-approved corporate, agricultural, and civil construction clients.

Absolutely! We encourage buyers to visit our Port Macquarie yard at 1 Uralla Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 during business hours (Monday to Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 1:00pm).

Because our depot is an active industrial yard with heavy forklift and crane operations, please call our yard office beforehand on 0480806427 or 0489981397 so we can arrange safety induction and show you available container numbers.

Our boilermakers, fabricators, and certified trade team build turnkey modifications in-house at our Port Macquarie depot:

• Access Doors: Heavy-duty steel Personal Access (PA) doors, roller shutter doors, and additional container double-doors.
• Windows: Sliding aluminum glass windows fitted with exterior steel security grilles or heavy-duty locking security shutters.
• Ventilation: Whirlybird wind-driven rotary turbine vents, fixed louver vents, and exhaust fans to prevent heat build-up and condensation.
• Padlock Protection: High-security Corten steel lockboxes pre-welded over locking bars.
• Shelving & Racks: Heavy-duty boltless steel container shelving systems.

Yes, we build turnkey site solutions. We offer:

• Thermal Insulation: 50mm or 75mm EPS insulated paneling (coolroom style) or spray-foam closed-cell insulation lined with durable ply or Colorbond steel lining.
• Electrical Fit-Outs: AS/NZS 3000 compliant electrical package including 15A/32A external caravan inlet, internal sub-board with RCD circuit breakers, double GPO powerpoints, and bright LED batten lighting.
• Climate Control: Heavy-duty reverse-cycle inverter split-system air conditioning units installed and tested prior to transport.

Council regulations vary depending on your local government area (LGA), zoning (e.g. RU1 Primary Production vs R2 Low Density Residential), and whether the container is temporary or permanent:

• Rural & Agricultural Land: In many regional NSW council zones, shipping containers used for farming equipment or feed storage are treated as "exempt development" without requiring a DA.
• Residential Properties: Temporary placement during renovations or building works is generally permitted for set durations. Permanent residential sheds or studios typically require council notification or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

We always recommend a quick phone call to your local council planning desk to check local setback and zoning requirements.