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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Contact our sales team for your no obligation quote, including delivery!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.
"All good from enquiry to delivery. Delivery guy was very helpful. Took 45 minutes to build the container & was easy to build. Looks superb. Many thanks."Oasis Windows & Doors Ltd
29th July 2025
order - a 3m Flat Pack Container
"Initial design process gave me a lot of confidence in ability to deliver what was required. Any questions I had at any stage was answered."Alistair Smith
22nd July 2025
order - a Used 16ft Container
"Thank you again for your help and support throughout the process. I am delighted with how smoothly and quickly it went. I will highly recommend you in the future."ACDC Electrical Wholesalers Ltd
15th July 2025
order - a Used 15ft Container
"The delivery driver was excellent, it took no time at all to deliver the conatiner."Oxley's
8th July 2025
order - a New 'Once-Used' 20ft Container
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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.
ISO Cert No. 13586-QNS-001
ISO 9001:2015
