Find new and used commercial shipping containers for sale with The Commercial Trader. Whether you’re a haulier expanding a fleet, a builder needing on-site secure storage, a developer specifying a container conversion, or a self-storage operator buying in volume, we connect you directly with trusted UK sellers, including manufacturers, depots, dealers and end-users.
Browse new and used shipping containers across every standard size and grade.
Every listing comes from verified UK sellers with grading detail, certification and delivery options available where applicable. Need help specifying the right container? Get in touch via our contact page for guidance, or browse the categories below.
Shipping Containers
A commercial shipping container is a standardised steel box designed to transport goods by sea, road or rail. ISO containers (International Organization for Standardization) follow set dimensions for global compatibility, with standard lengths of 10ft, 20ft, 40ft and 45ft, standard external width of 8ft and standard heights of 8ft 6in (standard) or 9ft 6in (high cube). Containers are graded by condition, from new (one-trip) and CSC-plated cargo-worthy units down to wind-and-watertight (WWT) and refurbished storage-grade. Beyond shipping, containers are widely used for static storage, modular construction, on-site offices, pop-up retail and event installations.
The container market is large and competitive, with depots, dealers and direct importers all participating. The Commercial Trader pulls multiple sellers into a single platform with transparent grading and direct contact.
Most container buyers, particularly for static storage, choose used units for sound commercial reasons.
20ft containers (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent unit) are the workhorse of global shipping and the most popular size for static storage. External dimensions are 6.06m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high standard, with internal capacity around 33m³. Suitable for most general storage, conversion and small modular projects.
40ft containers (FEU, forty-foot equivalent unit) double the capacity of a 20ft at 12.19m long, with internal capacity around 67m³. Standard for shipping and the typical choice for larger storage, vehicle storage and multi-room conversions.
8 & 10ft containers are compact units suited to domestic storage, tight access sites, garden offices and small site stores. Easier to position with a HIAB or self-loader, and often the most affordable option for limited storage needs.
High cube containers add an extra foot of height (2.89m external) to standard 20ft and 40ft units, giving useful internal headroom for taller goods or comfortable working in office and welfare conversions. Increasingly popular for modular construction.
Refrigerated containers (reefers) maintain controlled temperatures from -25°C up to +25°C. Used in food and pharmaceutical logistics, plus increasingly as walk-in chillers and freezers for hospitality, catering and event use. Always check fridge unit hours, last service and refrigerant type.
Export containers are CSC-plated cargo-worthy units suitable for international shipping. CSC certification (Convention for Safe Containers) is essential for any container intended for sea freight, with periodic inspection required.
The Commercial Trader features container listings from depots across the UK, including major port locations (Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool, London Gateway, Tilbury) and inland depots throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Use our distance filter to find containers close to your delivery address, reducing transport costs significantly.
It depends on use, location and duration. Construction site storage is typically covered under permitted development. Containers used for static storage on commercial premises are often acceptable, though local planning rules vary. Permanent residential, retail or office conversions usually require full planning approval and Building Regulations compliance. Always check with the local planning authority before installing a container, particularly on residential or sensitive sites.
Quality shipping containers are designed for a 25-30 year shipping life. Once removed from sea service, well-maintained containers can serve as static storage for 30-50+ years with periodic painting and rust treatment. Marine-grade Cor-Ten steel resists corrosion, and the structural design carries far higher loads than typical static use ever requires.
As we operate as a marketplace, any returns policy must be agreed directly with the seller before purchase. We strongly recommend in-person inspection or a detailed photo set, paying particular attention to floor condition, door operation, weather seals, structural integrity and any rust or repair work. Some sellers will accept defects-found returns within set timeframes.
The Commercial Trader covers far more than just one category. Explore the full marketplace, with thousands of listings across vehicles, machinery, equipment and furniture:
We list every major shipping container sub-category, including:
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