Everything about the reefer container
The reefer is a temperature-controlled container ranging from -25 °C to +25 °C. Essential in agro-food, pharma, event and laboratory industries. Its particularities: higher price, actual electrical consumption, specialised technical maintenance. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Prices 2026: purchase and rental
| Format | New purchase | Grade A used | Long-term rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft reefer | £8,925 – £14,700 | £5,775 – £7,875 | £473 – £735/mois |
| 40 ft reefer | £12,600 – £23,100 | £8,400 – £13,650 | £683 – £998/mois |
| 40 feet high cube reefer | £14,700 – £26,250 | £9,975 – £15,750 | £788 – £1,155/mois |
Excluding delivery, excluding connection to a three-phase electrical supply (£260 to £1,300 depending on distance from the distribution board), excluding energy consumed. For events, add rental of a generator set (£80-£150/day + fuel).
Main uses
- Agro-food industry — buffer storage for fruits/vegetables, beverages, dairy products, frozen goods. Seasonal rental very common (harvests, crops).
- Pharmacy & health — pharmaceutical cold chain: medicines, vaccines, medical devices. Temperature range -25 °C to +8 °C depending on product.
- Events — festivals, trade shows, exhibitions: beverage storage, caterers. Typical duration 3 to 15 days, with generator power possible.
- Laboratory & R&D — biological sample storage, reagents, temperature-controlled testing.
- Industrial backup — temporary supplement to cold rooms during peak activity or breakdowns.
- Marine export — historical use: meat, fruit, fish, vaccines for export.
Temperature ranges and use cases
A modern reefer covers an extremely wide temperature range from -25 °C to +25 °C with accuracy of ±0.5 to ±1 °C depending on the model. The correct setting depends entirely on the product being transported or stored — here is the standard correspondence used in the industry.
| Temperature Range | Typical Use Case | Products |
|---|---|---|
| -25 to -20 °C | Deep Freezing | Meats, fish, frozen ready meals, industrial ice cream |
| -18 to -15 °C | Standard Freezing | Ice creams, frozen vegetables, frozen desserts |
| -5 to 0 °C | Very Cold Refrigeration | Vacuum-packed meats, fresh fish, poultry |
| +2 to +4 °C | Food Refrigeration | Dairy products, cream, yoghurts, caterers |
| +2 to +8 °C | Pharmaceutical cold chain | Vaccines, insulin, temperature-sensitive medications |
| +8 to +14 °C | Chilled controlled | Exotic fruits (banana, avocado), maturing wines |
| +15 to +20 °C | Temperature-controlled | Cosmetics, temperature-sensitive electronics, chocolate |
Dual-temperature (bi-zones): some 40-foot reefers allow two independent temperature ranges within the same module (for example +4 °C and -18 °C), separated by a removable partition. Additional cost ~15-25 % compared to a mono-zone. Relevant for event caterers or pharmaceutical companies with vaccines and temperature-controlled products simultaneously.
Manufacturers, lifespan and maintenance
A reefer is 95% the quality of the refrigeration unit and 5% the steel box. At purchase, the brand of the compressor and its year of manufacture weigh more than the cosmetic condition of the container. Professionals in the sector first look at the unit, then insulation, then structure.
The 4 major brands (90% of the market)
- Carrier Transicold (United States) — global leader, Thinline and Vector ranges for transport, PrimeLINE range for storage. Parts available everywhere, many certified technicians.
- Thermo King (Ireland/Ingersoll Rand) — direct competitor to Carrier, Magnum and CRR ranges. Reputation for reliability, often cheaper maintenance as parts are standardised.
- Daikin (Japan) — LXE and Zestia ranges. Very present in Asia, impeccable quality, but parts sometimes take longer to obtain in Europe.
- Starcool (Maersk/MCI) — premium range, often equipped on intensive maritime reefers. Very durable, specific maintenance required with rare technicians.
Component lifespan
- Compressor : 8-12 years with intensive use, 15+ years with moderate use. Replacement costs £4,000-7,000 depending on model.
- Polyurethane panel insulation : 20-25 years before significant degradation (heat loss and overconsumption).
- Corten steel body : 25-35 years with periodic anti-corrosion treatment.
- Annual mandatory inspection : £800-1,500 (fluids, compressor, sealing, ventilation).
- Refrigerant fluid : R134a and R404A still dominant, progressive replacement by R452A (EU F-gas regulation). Refill costs £200-500.
Technician certificate for refrigerant fluids required (ART 600). Maintenance of a reefer — refill, compressor repair — cannot be carried out by a domestic electrician or frigoriste. It requires a 'refrigerant fluid handling' certification issued by an accredited body. Expect £200-400 per hour for a qualified technician.
Certifications to verify: CSC, ATP, PTI
Three certifications structure the world of refrigerated containers — each for a specific use. Check before purchase or rental according to your case.
CSC Certification (Convention for Safe Containers)
Mandatory CSC plate for all shipping containers in international maritime transport. Attests structural compliance: stacking strength, watertightness, identification. Validity 5 years from first inspection, then 30 months between subsequent inspections. For terrestrial storage use: not legally required but often requested by insurers to certify quality. Renewal inspection cost: £80-200.
ATP Certification (Agreement for the Transport of Perishable Goods)
Mandatory for international road transport of refrigerated or frozen foodstuffs (EU directive 2004/112). Four classes: FRC, FRA, FNA, IR — according to temperature range and cooling capacity. For a reefer used only in fixed storage: not required. For a reefer transported by truck: mandatory. ATP test every three years + annual inspection. Test cost: £800-2500.
PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection)
Not a formal certification but systematic control before intensive use (export, critical season). Automatic test 1-3 hours: temperature drop to set point, maintenance, fluid leak detection, sensor check. Cost £100-250 in specialist centre. For harvests or pharmaceuticals: PTI recommended at each peak season.
Without a valid certification, three risks: refusal of insurance in case of incident (cold chain breakage, loss of goods), customs block if international export, refusal by major shipper requiring CSC/ATP. Check before purchase by asking for present plates and their validity dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a refrigerated container (reefer)?+
A reefer container (refrigerated container) is a shipping container equipped with an autonomous cooling unit that controls the internal temperature. Insulated walls by polyurethane panels 80 to 100 mm thick, adjustable temperature from -25 °C to +25 °C, forced interior ventilation. Typical manufacturers: Carrier Transicold, Thermo King, Daikin.
What is the cost of a refrigerated container in 2026?+
Brand new: £8,925 – £14,700 for a 20-foot, £12,600 – £23,100 for a 40-foot. Grade A used (revised group, less than 10 years): £5,775 – £7,875 for a 20-foot, £8,400 – £13,650 for a 40-foot. The price driver is not the container but the refrigeration unit and its condition. A recently replaced group easily adds +3 000 to +£4,300 to the value.
What is the electrical consumption of a reefer?+
Depends on the target temperature, external temperature, and load. Typical range: 2 to 6 kW in operation (48 to 144 kWh per day). For a -20 °C freezer reefer in summer: expect 5 to 6 kW, roughly £450 to £550 of monthly electricity bill at current business rates. In winter or simple refrigeration 2 to 4 °C: £200 to £350 of monthly bill.
Does a reefer work without electrical connection?+
No, it requires permanent electrical supply. For mobile needs (events, isolated delivery), dedicated generators are available capable of powering a reefer (power range 15 to 25 kVA, rental £80 to £150 per day). Some suppliers offer complete packages « reefer + generator + fuel ». Note: the generator must be sized to support compressor startup (peak power draw).
Should I rent or buy a refrigerated container?+
Refrigerated containers lean more towards rental than dry ones. Reasons: cold group maintenance (£800 to £1,500 per year for serious preventive maintenance), expensive spare parts (compressor replacement: £4,000 to £7,000), need for certified refrigerant technicians. Purchase recommended only if intensive regular use over 5 years or more. Otherwise, rental at £450-900 per month depending on format.
Can a dry container be converted into a refrigerated one?+
Yes, but it is rarely financially interesting. Additional insulation, cold group, watertight doors, controls: conversion costs £12,000 to £25,000, almost the price of a used reefer. Only relevant case: when you already have the container on site and dismantling/reinstalling a standard reefer would cost more than conversion.
How do I inspect a used refrigerated container before purchase?+
Request an imperative recent PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) — less than 3 months old. Check: compressor year (price key), group brand (Carrier, Thermo King, Daikin, Starcool), valid CSC plate, condition of interior insulation panels (no tears, mould), watertightness of doors (rubber seals), evaporator fans in good order, maintenance history logbook. A cold group replaced within the last 3 years justifies a premium of £3,000 to £5,000 but secures your investment for 8-12 years.
Dual-temp: when do we really need two zones?+
Typical cases: event caterer needing +4 °C for cold cuts AND -18 °C for ice cream in the same module. Pharma with vaccines +2/+8 °C and temperature-controlled products +15/+20 °C. Pop-up supermarket with fresh produce section AND frozen foods section. Additional cost at purchase: 15-25 %. Additional rental cost: 10-15 %/month. Do not opt for dual-temp out of 'convenience' — the colder zone dictates overall consumption, hence higher electricity costs.
Also worth seeing
Price of refrigerated container: barometer 2026
Reefer grid for 20' and 40', monthly electrical cost, Carrier vs Thermo King.
Renting a reefer
Monthly rates, use cases pharma/agro/event, electricity included.
Reefer electricity
Three-phase 415 V (BS 7671), kVA sizing, generator.
Reefer vs cold room
TCO comparison, mobility, flexibility.