--- title: "off-site storage: Definition and Meaning | NPSA" description: "Off-site storage means keeping a portable storage container at the provider's facility instead of on the customer's property." url: https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/off-site-storage publisher: National Portable Storage Association (NPSA) phone: "(816) 960-6552" email: info@npsa.org --- Industry and products # off-site storage Off-site storage means keeping a portable storage container at the provider's facility instead of on the customer's property. The customer fills the container at home, the provider picks it up, and the container stays in a secure storage center until the customer asks for delivery. ## Why it matters Off-site storage helps when a property cannot hold a container or when the customer needs a place for belongings between homes. NPSA describes it as an option for staging a home for sale, building a new house, or covering mismatched closing dates. The container is not re-handled, so the customer loads once. A common mistake is to forget that off-site storage adds fees for pickup, delivery and monthly storage. Access may also be limited to set hours or by appointment. Ask what a visit costs before you commit. Compare the total price with a fixed self-storage unit, which adds a truck rental and more handling. [Read: Storage centers](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/portable-storage-centers) Definition source: [npsa.org](https://www.npsa.org/portable-storage-centers.html) ## Related terms [### on-site storage On-site storage means keeping a portable storage container on the customer's own property, such as a driveway or a job site. The provider delivers the container, the customer loads and locks it, and the container stays there until the customer wants it moved or picked up.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/on-site-storage)[### storage center A storage center is a secure site where a portable storage company keeps customer containers off the customer's property. After a customer fills a container, the provider picks it up and stores it at the center until the customer wants it back or wants it moved.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/storage-center)[### self-storage facility A self-storage facility is a business that rents secure space where customers store and retrieve their own goods. U.S. industry codes describe it as renting space such as rooms, compartments, lockers, containers or outdoor space. The customer holds the key or code and visits the site to use the space.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/self-storage-facility)[### local move A local move is a move within the same area, usually the same city or region. With portable storage, the provider delivers a container, the customer loads it, and the provider takes it to the new address or to a storage center. The customer does not need a rental truck.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/local-move)[### moving container A moving container is a portable storage container used to move a household. PODS describes portable storage containers as large, secure, usually weather-resistant boxes that can be moved from place to place. The customer loads the container, and the company carries it to a storage center or a new home.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/moving-container)[### portable storage Portable storage is storage in a container, trailer or similar unit that can be moved to the customer's site or elsewhere. NPSA describes portable storage containers as ISO shipping containers retired from international shipping and offered for rent and purchase on the domestic market. NPSA also includes trailers and mobile offices in the industry.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/portable-storage) [All 220 terms](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary) Need storage? ## Get quotes from NPSA member companies Tell us what you need and where. A member company that serves your area will contact you. [Request a quote](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/request-a-quote)[Which unit do I need?](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/find-storage) For the industry ## Grow your portable storage business with NPSA Members get event rates, the Community Forum, the directory listing and leads from this website. [Join NPSA](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/join-us)[See member benefits](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/member-benefits)