Mini containers (6–10 ft)
Mini containers are small steel containers 6, 8 or 10 feet long – roughly 2 to 3 metres. They are built like a shipping container, with corrugated steel, a timber floor and a double door, but intended for use on land: in the garden, in the yard, by the clubhouse or wherever there is simply no room for a 20-footer.
One important difference: only the 10-footer is an ISO size and usually has standard corner castings. 6 and 8 ft containers are manufacturers' own designs with differing widths and heights. Many have forklift pockets; whether they can be lifted by crane depends on the model.
Typical uses
- Garden and tool store as a robust alternative to a timber shed
- Bike and bin store for apartment buildings
- Club store for sports equipment, drinks and event kit
- Tool store for small trade businesses and caretaker services
- Tyre and seasonal store for garages and car dealers
- Small site store where a 20-footer will not fit
- Ticket or issue booth with a retrofitted hatch
Sizes and dimensions
| Size | External approx. L × W × H | Internal approx. L × W × H | Volume approx. | Tare approx. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft | 1.98 × 1.95 × 1.91 m | 1.75 × 1.85 × 1.70 m | 5.5 m³ | 500 – 700 kg |
| 8 ft | 2.44 × 2.20 × 2.26 m | 2.28 × 2.10 × 2.14 m | 10 m³ | 800 – 1,000 kg |
| 10 ft | 2.99 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 2.83 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 16 m³ | 1,200 – 1,400 kg |
Dimensions of 6 and 8 ft containers are not standardised and can differ markedly between makers. Values are typical approximations.
✓ Advantages
- Fits small plots and narrow access routes
- More robust and secure than a timber or sheet-metal shed
- Deliverable with a smaller vehicle, often movable by forklift
- Often below the thresholds for procedure-free outbuildings
! Points to consider
- Considerably dearer per cubic metre than a 20 ft container
- 6 and 8 ft are not standardised – dimensions and accessories vary
- Little used supply, especially at 6 and 8 ft
- Not every model can be craned
Equipment and options
- Double door with locking bars, usually with a lockbox
- Forklift pockets in the base frame
- Ventilation grilles
- Optional: shelving, lighting, ramp, choice of colour
Price guide
- 6 ft new
- approx. €1,800 – 3,000
- 8 ft new
- approx. €2,200 – 3,500
- 10 ft new
- approx. €2,500 – 4,000
- 10 ft used
- approx. €1,500 – 2,800 (rare)
Rough orientation values without guarantee; prices vary by region, condition and market.
What to look out for
- Work it out per cubic metre: a new 10-footer often costs as much as a used 20-footer with more than twice the volume. Small makes sense when space forces it.
- Before buying, clarify how the container will reach its spot: forklift, loader crane over the fence or only by pallet truck?
- For 6 and 8 ft, ask about lifting eyes – without them, setting down over obstacles is difficult.
- Check planning rules: small outbuildings are procedure-free up to certain sizes in many German states, but boundary distances and the development plan still apply.
- Place it on stilts or point footings so the floor does not sit in the soil.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a mini container?
Often not, because small outbuildings are procedure-free up to a certain size in many German states. The thresholds differ by state, however, and the development plan and distance rules apply even without a permit. If in doubt, ask the building authority.
Why is a mini container so expensive compared with a 20-footer?
Because it is built new in small numbers, whereas 20 ft containers reach the used market in huge quantities from shipping. Steel, door and frame cost almost as much in the small format.
Can a mini container be craned into a garden?
The 10-footer usually has ISO corner castings and can be craned without difficulty. For 6 and 8 ft it depends on the model – some have lifting eyes, others only forklift pockets.
Related guides
Planning with mini containers (6–10 ft)?
Compare sizes, costs and buying vs. renting in our guides.
