40ft Shipping Containers - New and Used
New or second hand 40ft containers always in stock!
Containers Direct are one of the UK's main retailers of new and used 40ft shipping containers, buying direct from the shipping lines. This purchasing power enables us to pass on low prices to our customers, along with offering a wide choice of containers. New 40ft containers have only had one shipping journey to arrive at UK ports and used 40ft containers have around 10 - 15 years of cargo transportation behind them, with plenty of useful storage life ahead.
The 40ft Shipping Container Represents the Best Value
Whether new or used, for value for money the 40ft shipping container is the best option. Great for secure dry storage and robustly built to last. Perfect for storing large amounts of goods and stock. Due to the weight bearing floors very heavy items including plant and machinery can be safely stored. The strong structure makes it perfect for converting and adapting for a whole range of uses.
For basic storage we keep prices low by dispatching directly from strategically located storage depots located throughout the UK. Generous levels of stock also means we'll never keep you waiting for your order and our prices are rarely beaten in the UK shipping container market.
Accessories and Uses for 40ft Containers
We also offer an extensive range of standard accessories and extras, such as shelving units and electrical installations. Choose from our extras to customise your 40ft storage container or ask us about our container conversion service where we combine a range of these features and more to create spacious portable offices, pop-up catering and retail units, chemical stores and much more. Side doors are a popular choice on longer containers as they allow for easier access to both ends - which is very handy when there's up 40ft distance between the end doors and the back of the container! See our 40ft new and used shipping containers available for sale below all with the Containers Direct standard choice of four different standard door types.
Used 40ft Containers
New 40ft Containers
Second Hand Containers
Used shipping containers generally have over 10 years of service on shipping lines which results in considerable evidence of use, plenty of surface rust and knocks and dents. Containers Direct specialise in upcycling used shipping containers to give them new lease of life. The manufacturing process for a shipping container is very carbon intensive so the longer useful life we can give them, the better!
Once-Used Containers
New shipping containers, sometimes called once-used containers, are manufactured in factories in China and shipped to the UK with cargo inside. New containers are often the choice for projects where a longer lifespan is required.
The Build Process
Containers Direct supply our best priced 40 foot containers with S2 ISO doors, direct from our depots across the UK, to give our customers the most efficient and cost effective deliveries. Our depots are based at strategic locations including London, Southampton, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newport, Manchester and Felixstowe.Built by us - new doors and cut downs
For other door styles offered on 40ft containers, the cost increases as we need to cut back from the original doors and replace with newly fabricated ones. These are manufactured in-house and fully seam welded back onto the 40ft container. If you need something smaller, we can also cut down to different lengths, which involves either new doors or a new end wall to complete the resulting containers. We use the best quality materials and methods to ensure our cut down containers are the finest on the market.Quality production and a wide choice of door types and sizes means our containers sell themselves! Learn more about our cut down container production.. Learn More
Benefits of 40ft shipping containers
Secure
Shipping containers are manufactured from 16 gauge Corten steel making them strong and secure.
Versatile
Our in-house depot can modify and convert shipping containers for a variety of different uses.
Portable
Shipping containers benefit from being portable, meaning you can move them when needed.
Customisable
With an extensive range of optional extras to choose from, have your container modified to suit you.
Guarantee
We offer all our shipping containers with a 12 month guarantee for your peace of mind.
Request a Quick Quote!
Contact our sales team for your no obligation quote, including delivery!Our quality guarantee
All our new and used 40ft shipping containers for sale are quality checked or refurbished to ensure they are structurally sound and watertight before they are released for sale at a competitive price. To further assure our customers of the highest standards in the industry, we only select good quality used containers, and all of our 40ft second hand shipping containers come with a 12 month warranty and our new 40ft containers with a 3 year warranty.An industry leading range of optional extras to choose from
In an industry dominated by re-sellers and agents, we are lucky to have our own in-house production facilities. This enables us to offer an industry leading range of useful upgrades and optional extras. Used shipping containers can vary in terms of cosmetic appearance, however our recommended exterior repaint will help cover any cosmetic damage and wear and tear. New 40ft shipping containers will have less cosmetic wear and tear, but can still be repainted if a specific colour is required or desired!
Recommended for 40ft Shipping Containers
Lockbox
Repainting
40ft Container Dimensions
| Container Type | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft DV | 40ft | 8ft | 8ft6 |
| 40ft High Cube | 40ft | 8ft | 9ft6 |
If you are seeking exact dimensions and specifications for all sizes of containers, visit our Shipping and Storage Container Dimension Charts page.
Perfect for Conversions
Looking for more inspiration?
See how versatile the 40ft can be!
Flat pack option
Where space is limited and access restricted, see our flat pack containers. These units are completely modular meaning they can be extended in length and width to form larger units!
Bespoke sizes
We can even join up containers to give you extra wide spaces - perfect for the extra space required in garages and larger offices. Alternatively we can build new containers, providing wider or narrower widths than the standard 8ft, such as from our SlimLine® range or extra wide range.
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.
"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.
ISO Cert No. 13586-QNS-001
ISO 9001:2015
