High Cube Shipping Containers

What Are High Cube Containers?

ISO shipping containers are a standardised length and width, which is crucial as it allows them to be secured together for safe stacking when on a cargo vessel. The standard container length is either 20ft or 40ft, and the standard width 8ft. Without this rigid uniformity, the containers would topple! However, the height of the container doesn't cause an issue, which allows for taller containers to be produced. These are known as high cube containers. High cube containers stand at 9ft 6inches tall, giving a whole extra foot in height over standard sized containers! In all other aspects the design is the same as the standard 20ft shipping container, watertight, exceptionally strong and secure.

One foot taller!

Ordinary shipping containers are 8ft 6in high, but high cube containers give you an extra foot in height, standing at 9ft 6in. Ideal for tall loads or if you need to squeeze just a little bit more into the container - with 20fts, high cube containers increase the internal space available by 250 cubic ft, and with 40fts you gain an extra 300 cubic ft! In all other aspects high cube containers are the same as standard height containers. They are made from strong Corten steel, are waterproof and highly secure. Container Direct have both new and used 20ft high cube containers and 40ft high cube containers for sale. Along with these standard sizes we also cut down containers to give you any length required, anything between 6ft and 40ft long! Just ask for high cube containers if you require the additional height.

We have supplier depots holding high cube stocks in most regions of the UK, in order to give our customers the best deals on delivery, so please enquire about availability in your own area. From Southampton to Wales and Glasgow we can supply any length of high cube container to our customers.

Starting a new trend!

As the demand for space increases, we have found that our High Cube containers are quickly becoming a best seller. These containers are often preferred for conversion projects, particularly for offices, workshops, pop-up shops and exhibition boxes. They are also ideal if the container is being ply lined or melamine lined, as the framework to insert ply lining or melamine lining can take up valuable space in an ordinary box, but this problem is easily eliminated by using a High Cube.

For some inspiration on how to incorporate high cube containers into your container design, take a look at our container conversion projects.

Door types for high cube containers

Choose from a range of door styles, designed to meet your needs.

S1 doors - Designed for storage use. Made from flat steel panels they much easier to open and close than traditional shipping container doors, making them ideal for frequent use. They do not compromise on quality or security, and can be complimented with the addition of a door seal as an optional extra.
Compressed door seals - An option for S1 doors, these are attached to the inside of the container door and compress to form a watertight seal when the door is closed.

S2 doors - S2 containers are most popular on building sites and have the advantage of rubber door seals to seal the unit. They can be harder to manoeuvre than our S1 doors.

S3 doors - At Containers Direct we offer a unique third option which combines the advantages of both types of door. We are lucky to have manufacturing facilities on site and have designed and manufactured a door which is both easy to use and is superior in quality. Please note: for high cube (HC) containers - S3 doors can only have a maximum door entry height of 7ft5in, regardless of the height of the container.

Although the appearance of S3 doors may differ slightly from container to container, they all share these characteristics:
- New/once-used
- External rubber door seals
- Waist high handles
- Two locking arms on the right hand door only
- Shoot bolts on the left hand door

S4 doors - Galvanised steel, padlockable on both ends, 8ft wide roller shutter doors make a great alternative, or addition, to standard storage doors. They come in either manual or electrical options.

Side doors

Our doors can also be positioned in the side of the container. Choose from S1, S3, S4 (roller shutter) and our S5 (personnel door). We also supply extra wide side doors, and multiple sets where size allows. You can have a side door to replace the end door, or in addition to.

Secure, dry storage for over height items

High cube containers make great storage units too, especially for plant equipment, such as diggers, that may be too tall to clear a standard container height. As they are identical in specification to standard shipping containers in every other way, they are extremely tough and secure - virtually impenetrable through the defenses of a thick steel body and double locking system, so risk of loss of expensive equipment is minimal.

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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

"Cory was very personable, knowledgeable and helpful."Redbridge Primary School
29th April 2025
order - a 3m Flat Pack Office Container

"Good Communication and Overall Good Experience. Thanks."Headway Traffic Management Ltd
28th April 2025
order - a 16ft New Build Toilet Block Container

"Great service overall, excellent communication from enquiry to delivery."James Davis, Eastlight Community Housing
23rd April 2025
order - a Used 20ft Containers

"Everything was very straightforward - Cory and Hannah were very helpful and informative, they answered any questions I had."Bodmin Hockey Club
4th April 2025
order - a 4m Flat Pack Store Container

"Thoroughly impressed at the ease by which the whole process was executed; Neil Clarke, Hannah Jones & Iwona Binczycka were all very professional and a pleasure to deal with. Thank you."True24m Ltd
31st March 2025
order - four 'Once-Used' 10ft Containers

"We found Containers Direct a very approachable and helpful company, and they are straightforward to deal with. Many thanks."Kenneth Craig
25th March 2025
order - a Used 10ft Container

Committed to Quality

We are ISOQAR Approved; certified to the ISO standard relating to Quality Management Systems, demonstrating our Company's commitment to quality. We are also members of MakeUK who champion and celebrate British manufacturing and manufacturers, and member of the Container Self Storage and Traders Association; an international organisation representing the interests of Container Self-Storage Operators, Traders and Innovators.