If you need a shipping container in Bangladesh, the first practical step is to ask for a lease quote. A lease quote tells you what container you can get, for how long, on what terms, and at what cost for your requirement. It helps you plan a shipment, compare options fairly, and avoid surprises later.
This guide explains what a container lease quote is, what information you should share, how a quote is prepared, what a good quote should include, and how to compare quotes. It covers 20ft and 40ft containers, high-cube containers, short-term and long-term leasing, delivery in Chittagong and Dhaka, documents, inspection, and cost factors. No fixed price is listed here, because cost depends on size, type, condition, duration, delivery location, and availability at the time of booking. Confirm the cost for your requirement by WhatsApp or email before you book.
A note on the word in the title: this page is called a lease quote page because you can request a quote quickly by sharing your details. It does not mean a quote is confirmed at once, or that a container is guaranteed to be available at a fixed price without checking. When you send your details, the team checks availability and prepares the quote, and the cost is confirmed at booking.
Total Import Solution, since 2016, provides sourcing and import support for businesses in Bangladesh, including container-related enquiries connected to shipments through Chittagong Port. The contact details at the end of this article are the way to request a quote.
What Is a Container Lease Quote?
A container lease quote is a written offer for the use of a shipping container for an agreed period and purpose. It is not a purchase price. You do not own the container. You use a container owned by someone else, and you return it at the end of the agreed period.
A lease quote answers four questions: which container, for how long, on what terms, and at what cost. It names the size and type, the rental period and how it is charged, what is included and what is not, any deposit, payment timing, and the return arrangement. Keep the quote in writing, by WhatsApp or email, so you have a record. If anything is unclear, ask before you confirm.
What a Good Lease Quote Should Include
Check that a quote covers the points below. A good quote is specific. If a point is missing, ask for it before you agree.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Container size | 20ft, 40ft, or high-cube, so you know what will arrive |
| Container type | Dry, reefer, open-top, or flat-rack, as per your cargo |
| Rental period | Start date, end date, and how the period is counted |
| Rental cost | The cost for that size, type, and period |
| What is included | Rental only, or rental plus delivery or other work |
| What is not included | Transport, port handling, customs, or other separate charges |
| Deposit | Whether a deposit applies, and how it is settled |
| Payment timing | When payment is due, and how it is paid |
| Delivery location | The exact address where the container will be delivered |
| Return arrangement | Where and when the container is returned, and in what condition |
| Extension rule | What happens if you need the container longer than agreed |
Read the quote as a whole, not only the rental cost. A low rental cost can still be expensive if delivery, transport, or a deposit is added separately. A clear quote lists each item, so you can compare two quotes on the same basis: the same size, type, period, and delivery location.
What Information to Share to Get a Quote
A quote can only be prepared when the supplier knows your requirement. Share these six points by WhatsApp or email.
First, the container size and type: 20ft or 40ft, and whether a standard dry container is enough, or you need a reefer, open-top, flat-rack, or high-cube container. If you are not sure, describe the cargo and ask for advice.
Second, the cargo: what will go in the container, the rough volume and weight, and whether it is packed in cartons, on pallets, or as loose items. For temperature-sensitive cargo, share the temperature range you need.
Third, the quantity: how many containers you need, and whether you need them together or one after another.
Fourth, the rental duration: a few days, weeks, months, or longer. If you are not sure, say the expected period and ask how an extension works.
Fifth, the delivery location and date: the full address, the date you need the container, and the name and phone number of the person who will receive it. Say whether the container will stay at one site, move by road, or go by sea. If the site has a gate, guard, narrow road, or fixed opening time, share that in advance.
Sixth, the purpose: import, export, road transport, or storage at a site. The purpose can change the requirements, documents, and return arrangement.
How a Quote Is Prepared
Step 1: You share your requirement. Send the size, type, cargo, quantity, duration, delivery location, and date by WhatsApp or email. A complete message gets a faster and more accurate reply than a message with only one or two details.
Step 2: Availability is checked. The supplier checks whether the size and type you need are available for your dates. Availability in Chittagong can change with the shipping schedule and demand at the port. If your first choice is not available, you may be offered the nearest suitable option.
Step 3: The terms are worked out. The rental period, delivery location, return arrangement, and any deposit are worked out from your requirement.
Step 4: You receive the quote in writing. The quote is sent by WhatsApp or email, with the size, type, period, cost, what is included, what is not included, and the payment and return terms. Read it carefully and ask about any point that is unclear.
Step 5: You confirm the booking. Once you agree on the terms, confirm the booking with the delivery date, delivery address, and contact person. Make sure someone will be at the site to receive the container.
Step 6: Delivery, inspection, and return. On delivery, inspect the container before you sign for it. Load the cargo carefully, keep a packing list, and arrange the return as agreed. If you need the container longer, inform the supplier before the period ends and ask for an extension. After return, confirm in writing that the rental is closed.
20ft vs 40ft and High-Cube in Brief
The 20ft and 40ft containers are the two most commonly used standard sizes. A 20ft container is about half the length of a 40ft container. The width and height of a standard container are generally the same for both sizes, unless you choose a high-cube version, which is taller.
A 20ft container suits smaller or moderate loads, dense and heavy cargo, and tight delivery sites. It takes up less ground space and is easier to place in a small yard or deliver on a narrow road. A 40ft container suits larger and bulky loads, such as furniture, garments in cartons, and light machinery. It holds roughly twice the volume of a 20ft container in general terms, so it can move a larger volume in one unit instead of two.
A high-cube container is taller than a standard container by a small amount, giving extra volume for light and bulky cargo. If your cargo is tall, ask whether a high-cube is available. Do not choose by length alone: think about the cargo, weight, volume, and delivery site together. A 40ft container needs a longer approach for the truck and trailer, and more space to set it down, so measure the approach and placement area before you confirm a 40ft lease.
Container Types You May Need
A standard dry container is the most common type: a closed steel box with doors at one end, used for general dry cargo such as packed goods, cartons, machinery parts, and textiles. If your cargo is dry, packed, and not sensitive to temperature, a standard dry container is usually the first type to consider.
A reefer container is a refrigerated container with a cooling unit that keeps cargo at a controlled temperature, for certain food products, medicines, and other temperature-sensitive goods. It needs a power supply, so confirm the power arrangement and temperature range before you book.
An open-top container has a removable roof, often a tarpaulin cover, instead of a solid steel roof. It is used for cargo loaded from the top by crane, or for cargo taller than a standard door opening. A flat-rack container has no side walls and no roof, or only collapsible ends, and is used for oversized cargo and heavy machinery that does not fit inside a closed box.
Short-Term and Long-Term Leasing
Short-term leasing suits a temporary need: one shipment, a short project, a few weeks of storage, or a trial order. The container is returned at the end of the agreed period. If you need it longer, inform the supplier before the period ends and ask for an extension, rather than keeping it without notice.
Long-term leasing suits a repeated or ongoing need: regular shipments, a long project, or storage that will last for months. If you expect to need containers again and again, say so when you request a quote, because the supplier can plan availability and terms accordingly.
Who Needs a Container Lease Quote in Bangladesh?
Importers are the most common requesters. They bring goods through Chittagong Port and need a container to receive, hold, and move cargo to a warehouse in Chittagong, Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, or another city. Exporters also request quotes: they load goods at a factory, seal the container, and send it to the port. Traders and wholesalers request quotes for storage and for movement between markets.
Construction companies request quotes for site storage, manufacturers for raw material and finished goods, and small businesses and first-time importers request quotes to start with one shipment without buying a container.
Chittagong and Dhaka Delivery
Chittagong Port is the main seaport for Bangladesh’s import and export cargo. For an import, the vessel arrives, the container is discharged, customs clearance is completed by your clearing and forwarding agent, and after clearance the container can be released for delivery to your warehouse or yard. For an export, the container is loaded at your factory or warehouse, sealed, sent to the port, and loaded on the vessel. Confirm the vessel cut-off time with your agent and plan transport so you do not miss it.
Delivery from the port is normally by road, so the truck must suit the container size and the driver must know the address and contact person. A 40ft container needs a longer trailer than a 20ft container. Delivery to Dhaka, Gazipur, or Narayanganj is normally possible by road, but confirm the delivery cost and timing for your address in the quote.
Documents to Keep Ready
For a business lease, keep a copy of your trade licence or business registration, the delivery address in full, and the contact details of the person who will receive the container. For an import, keep the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and packing list ready. For an export, keep the export documents ready as per your shipment and buyer.
Inspection Before You Accept a Container
When the container arrives, inspect it before you sign for it. Check the doors: open and close them, check the locking rods, handles, and seals, and look for gaps. Check the roof and walls for holes, dents, rust, and daylight coming through. Check the floor for broken boards, soft spots, stains, and a strong smell. Check the inside for water marks and previous cargo residue.
Note the container number, take photos inside and outside, and note any damage before you sign. If the container is damaged or not suitable for your cargo, raise it at once and ask for a replacement unit. Do not load cargo into a container with a leaking roof, a broken door, or a damaged floor.
What Affects the Cost of a Lease Quote?
No fixed price is given here, because the cost depends on several factors. Size matters: a 40ft container normally costs more than a 20ft container. Type matters: a reefer, open-top, or flat-rack normally costs more than a standard dry container. Condition, rental duration, delivery location, and availability at the port also affect the cost.
The total cost is what matters, not only the rental cost. Delivery, transport, loading, port handling, and customs charges are often separate from the rental cost, so ask clearly which charges are included in the quote and which you will pay separately. Compare two quotes on the same basis: the same size, type, period, and delivery location.
Common Mistakes When Asking for a Quote
One common mistake is sending too little information. A message that says only “container price?” cannot be answered accurately, because the supplier does not know the size, type, duration, or delivery location. Send the six points listed earlier, and the quote will be faster and more accurate.
Another mistake is booking the wrong size. A container that is too small means a second container and a second delivery. A container that is too large means unused space and a higher cost. Describe the cargo volume and weight honestly, and ask for advice if you are unsure.
A third mistake is not measuring the delivery site. A 40ft container needs a long approach and a flat, firm surface, so measure the approach and placement area before you confirm. A fourth mistake is loading without inspection: always inspect the container, note any damage, and take photos before you sign. A fifth mistake is keeping a container beyond the agreed period without notice: if you need it longer, ask for an extension before the period ends.
How to Request a Quote from Total Import Solution
To request a lease quote, contact Total Import Solution by WhatsApp or email with your requirement. Send the size and type, cargo details, quantity, rental duration, delivery location and date, and purpose, in one message if you can. The team will check availability and prepare the quote for your requirement, and the cost will be confirmed at booking.
Keep the quote in writing, read it carefully, and ask about any point that is unclear before you confirm. Once you agree on the terms, confirm the booking with the delivery date, delivery address, and contact person, and make sure someone will be at the site to receive the container.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I request a shipping container lease quote?
Share your size, type, cargo, quantity, duration, delivery location, and date by WhatsApp or email, and the team will check availability and prepare the quote.
2. Is the quote confirmed at once?
No. A quote is prepared after availability is checked for your dates, and the cost is confirmed at booking.
3. What details do I need to share for a quote?
Size and type, cargo details, quantity, rental duration, delivery location and date, and the purpose of the container.
4. Can I get a quote for a 20ft container?
Yes, if available. Share your cargo, delivery location, and dates to check.
5. Can I get a quote for a 40ft container?
Yes, if available. Check that your site has enough space for a long trailer first.
6. What is a high-cube container?
A high-cube container is taller than a standard container, giving extra volume for light and bulky cargo.
7. How long can I lease a container?
It depends on the terms. Confirm the period, the rate, and the extension process before you book.
8. What documents do I need for a lease?
Keep your trade licence, delivery address, contact details, and shipping documents ready.
9. Can the container be delivered to Dhaka?
Yes, delivery by road is normally possible. Confirm the delivery cost and timing for your address.
10. Does the quote include delivery and transport?
It depends on the quote. Ask clearly what is included and what is not included.
11. Is there a deposit for leasing a container?
It depends on the terms. Ask about any deposit and how it is settled before you book.
12. How do I check a container before accepting it?
Check the doors, seals, roof, walls, and floor, look for leaks and damage, and take photos before you sign.
13. What if the container is damaged on delivery?
Raise it at once, do not load cargo into it, and ask for a replacement unit if it affects the cargo.
14. What affects the cost of a lease quote?
Size, type, condition, rental duration, delivery location, and availability at the time of booking.
15. How do I book after I receive the quote?
Confirm the booking by WhatsApp or email with the delivery date, delivery address, and contact person, once you agree on the terms.
Total Import Solution — Contact Us
Total Import Solution, since 2016, provides sourcing and import support for businesses in Bangladesh, including container-related enquiries connected to shipments through Chittagong Port. To request a lease quote for your requirement, contact us:
- WhatsApp: +8801977954302
- Email: info@totalimportsolution.com
- Website: totalimportsolution.com
