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Containers Direct logoQuality you can see, experience you can trust.
Quality you can see, experience you can trust.

Metal Shipping Containers

Most products at Containers Direct are based upon the wonderfully versatile metal containers for storage.

They are either suitable for shipping or storage, but often will be used for both in their lifetime. Divided into two categories, pre-assembled and self assembly, all are made from corrugated weathering steel which ensures they are watertight and be damaged by rusty. This page will take you through the basics of the sometimes confusing ins and outs of the metal container for sale.

The Shipping Container

Shipping containers are manufactured for the purpose of shipping, therefore conforming to rigid standardisation to pass certification for sea transportation, as they have to be loaded on board as a stack. Made from tough corten steel, you can buy either 20ft shipping containers or 40ft shipping containers, with a standard width of 8ft. Containers built to fit shipping criteria are called ISO shipping containers, and cannot travel without a CSC plate. However, many shipping containers will only make a few journeys before going on to be used for dry land storage.

The Storage Container

The majority of storage containers are shipping containers no longer used for shipping. They may be sold in their original form, or be modified as they no longer have to be certified for shipping. Without the restrictions of shipping standards, we have a basic metal container that can be cut to any size and altered for the convenience of static land storage. Often the doors will be remade or even moved, and the interior can be fitted out to aid well organised storage! These types of metal container for sale are all pre-assembled structures.

Other types of metal container for sale

Some storage containers will be manufactured purely for the purpose of storage, so there is no need for them to be quite so robust. This type of metal container is made from galvanised steel, so it will still be watertight and secure. Storage containers manufactured from new are largely self assembly, or flat pack products. Not as expensive as the pre-assembled metal container, they have the added advantage of being able to reach places inaccessible to other containers, and the versatility to be moved between sites with ease.

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

ISOQAR Approved – ISO 9001:2015 Certificate No. 13586-QMS-001
MakeUK Member – Supporting British Manufacturing
Container Self Storage and Traders Association Member
JOSCAR Registered Member
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