Shipping Containers for Sale

Containers Direct is an award winning, nationwide supplier of shipping containers.

Containers Direct are one of the leading suppliers of shipping containers for sale including: new shipping containers, used containers and converted containers. One of the few British manufacturers of new build containers and specialists in container conversions, from container offices to storage containers of all shapes and sizes including a wide range of flat pack containers. Founded in 2008 the company rapidly gained a reputation for innovation, leading the way in supplying cut price containers straight from the docks. The opening of the fabrication depot in 2010 allowed new research and development of ways to re-purpose ISO containers, bringing to the market a range of standard branded offices, gyms, classrooms and much more. We pride ourselves on being one of the first container resellers to realise the full potential of a container structure.

The shipping container itself has an interesting history. Invented by Malcom McClean in 1956, it was a concept that massively reduced the costs of both shipping and transport, allowing Asia to become the new workshop of the world. A key feature of the shipping container is that it's intermodal, i.e. suitable for safe transportation on a wide variety of modes of transport. A container can be loaded with goods on the back of a lorry in the Far East, lifted onto a train, moved onto a container ship and arrive in a port in the UK to be trucked to a factory. Throughout this journey the doors are only opened twice, once for loading and once for emptying. To endure shipment in harsh marine environments, heavy handling in ports, depots and factories, shipping containers must be incredibly strong. Containers are also reusable, so they must be durable enough to withstand this sort of rough handling as they travel around the world for over a decade or more. Extreme resilience is needed for loading with up to 27 tons of cargo and withstand stacking up to 9 containers high!

This enormous strength and durability makes them ideal for use as storage containers AND the perfect structures for converting to suit a wide range of uses. The production of a shipping container is carbon intensive so Containers Direct specialise in working with second-hand shipping containers after they've been released from their working life on shipping fleets. They are given a new lease of life by repurposing them with a low carbon footprint in our in-house depot.

We are well known for our office containers, safe chemical stores and pop up shops for a variety of applications, including burger and coffee bars and retail outlets. We create joined-up containers to make larger spaces for use as classrooms, festival exhibition stands and garage containers. We pioneered the WideLine® extra wide shipping container. Living roof - a valuable part of a conversion project in capturing carbon and increasing bio-diversity. This is now available as a stand-alone product..

Quality you can see, experience you can trust

We regularly showcase our work as we believe it's much easier to capture in pictures than try to visualise it. Over the years we have built up a vast library of pictures, displaying a wide variety of applications, shipping container case studies are there to give you a chance to see finished pictures of something very similar to your project.

Our welders were raised in the docks of Liverpool and Bootle, so there's very little about shipping containers they don't know! Along with our welders we have a highly skilled team of time served joiners, painters, plumbers and electricians on hand, ready to bring your ideas to life.

Tell us your requirements and your delivery postcode using our Quick Quote form to get the ball rolling. Alternatively call us direct to speak to one of team to discuss what we can offer.

Shipping Container Conversion Specialists

Discover our award-winning container conversions service for bespoke shipping container modifications and custom builds. From chemical stores, site offices, and pop-up shops to portable toilets and food outlets, we can design and build to your specification.

Call us free on 0800 061 2575

View Conversions Contact Us

Our Online Brochure

You can view our Container Conversions brochure here, or why not take a look at some of our amazing work?

Our Brochure

30ft kiosk cafe, 40ft bike workshop, 40ft bike store - CS103116

Case study of the month

April 2026

30ft kiosk cafe, 40ft bike workshop, 40ft bike store - CS103116

This trio of containers were completed for The Dalmellington Parish Development Trust in Aryshire, to provide facilities to support a new cycling hub. Transformed with wood cladding on the outside and a range of moderations inside, the three recycled shipping containers have been transformed beyond recognition. With three separate spaces for a cafe, storage, bike hire and maintenance facilities, the units were dropped into place along side each other upon delivery, to fit neatly into the car park next to to the cycle track.

Discover more of our shipping container conversions or explore the full project details below.

Read full case study

Take a look at some of the most engaging work we have undertaken in recent years. With detailed pictures, step-by-step guides, and in-depth insights into many projects, our case studies cover a wide range of applications.

Our Case Studies

Some of the clients we built container projects for...

Shipping Container Blog

What is the difference between a new and used shipping container?

Thursday 19 March 2026

Deciding whether to buy a used of new shipping container? In order to understand what's right for your needs, it's important to thoroughly understand what your priority requirements are and what the pros and cons of new and used containers are.

What is the Best Type of Door For a Shipping Container?

Tuesday 17 March 2026

If you picture a shipping container in your head we can guarantee you'll visualise it with standard corrugations and vertical locking bars. These are the original ISO doors that shipping containers are manufactured with, but you might be surprised to find out we offer five different door types when you buy from Containers Direct.

Maximising The Life Of Your Shipping Container

Wednesday 11 March 2026

We often get asked the important question - "how long does a shipping container last?". This is a tricky one to give a definitive answer to, as there are so many variables involved, but we can give guidance on how to maximise the life of your shipping container. As with most things in life, careful use and proper maintenance prolongs the condition and life span.

Padlocks and Lockboxes for Shipping Container Security

Monday 9 February 2026

Thieves and vandals target weak and exposed container locks. To keep your container and its contents safe, the right padlock and lock box is essential. Beat the burglars by finding out all you need to know to lock your shipping container securely.

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Testimonials

As a long established and reputable shipping container company, we want to instil confidence in our customers that we can deliver on our promises, and provide high quality products and service.

But don't just take our word for it, see for yourself what our past and present clients have to say about Containers Direct.

Read All Testimonials Here

"This was the first time we have ever bought a container and you made the process simple and straight forward. From selection and payment, down to the delivery, all very easy! Great work guys!" Gareth Richards - TPT Fire Maintenance Ltd
25th March 2026
order - a Used 15ft Container

"Good communication; Cory was very knowledgeable and always responded promptly via email." Idverde Ltd
21st March 2026
order - a Used 8ft Container with Electrics & Durbar Flooring from our Clearance Page

"I found the process efficient and professional. Communication was superb." Plymouth Cricket Club
17th March 2026
order - a 3m Flat Pack Container Store

"All in all a really good experience. The sales process particularly was really good and informative, and all my questions were handled promptly and without any fuss. The information packs were really useful and informative, and made things really clear." Ben Hull
17th March 2026
order - a Once-Used 15ft Container

"The delivery driver was excellent. Very professional, friendly and helpful to position the container exactly where we wanted it." Stuart Thorne
12th March 2026
order - a Used 16ft Container

"Very happy with the delivery time - 7.00am. It was great to get a call the day before asking if 7.00am was ok. Being a school this was perfect for us. The driver was on time and was able to offload before any staff or students arrived on site. Thank you." Vince Perry - The Kingsbrook School
9th March 2026
order - a Used 20ft Container with external Rustic Cladding

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Committed to Quality

We are ISOQAR Approved and certified to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, demonstrating our commitment to excellence. We are also members of MakeUK, who champion British manufacturing, and the Container Self Storage and Traders Association (CSTA), representing global operators and innovators. In addition, we are registered members of JOSCAR, the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register.