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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 container.

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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"You have proved to be excellent. You are pretty competitive and always provide a container of good quality exactly to our spec. Cory and the team have proved to be good sounding boards for ideas and able to provide lots of practical advice too." City of Edinburgh Council
24th October 2025
order - a Used 15ft Container
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"Very pleased with service, right through the process including making arrangements for an earlier delivery day." Mark Yemm - Westons Cider
24th October 2025
order - a Used 30ft Container
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"The delivery driver was excellent - really helpful with a 'can do' attitude." Jon Fowler - Drayton Parish Council
15th October 2025
order - a 'Once-Used' 20ft Container
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"I would recommend this service across the channel island to all." Island Waste Ltd
8th October 2025
order - a Used 20ft ModiBox Container
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"You've done a great job, thank you very much." Tristan Dodd - PEC Tyres
7th October 2025
order - two Used 30ft Containers
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"Excellent service and delivery was great." MSL Property Care Services Ltd
1st October 2025
order - a Used 16ft Container
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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-QNS-001

ISO Cert No. 13586-QNS-001
ISO 9001:2015

MakeUK Member – Supporting British Manufacturing
Container Self Storage and Traders Association Member
JOSCAR Registered Member
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