Used high cube container: 2.69 m interior height, grades A/B/C — 2026 prices
Used high cube containers add 30 cm of interior height (2.69 m vs 2.39 m on a standard container) — the difference that makes habitable conversion feasible. Price and resale value depend on condition, equipment, maintenance and the market. Compare itemised quotations without assuming fixed savings or depreciation.
Price 2026 by status
Used high cube containers add 30 cm of interior height (2.69 m vs 2.39 m on a standard container) — the difference that makes habitable conversion feasible. Price and resale value depend on condition, equipment, maintenance and the market. Compare itemised quotations without assuming fixed savings or depreciation.
| Status | Price Excl. VAT | For what use |
|---|---|---|
| 40 HC Grade A used | £2,142 – £4,410 | Converted living space, office, workshop |
| 40 HC Grade B used | £1,740 – £3,675 | Storage with height, semi-enclosed workshops |
| 40 HC Grade C used | £1,406 – £3,045 | Invisible storage, heavy refurbishment project |
Excluding delivery (£420 – £1,155 depending on zone). Total height 2.90 m + truck bedplate 30 cm = 3.20 m clearance to anticipate under bridges.
For whom?
Self-builders for container homes, architects for garden offices, event caterers with interior fit-out. Used high cube class A containers are the sweet spot for those wanting insulation (8-10 cm rock wool) without losing ceiling height. Avoid HC class C for habitable use: roof leaks ruin insulation.
Key points to remember
- Interior height 2.69 m (vs 2.39 m standard) — changes everything in conversion
- Useful volume 76 m³ in a 40-foot HC, up to 86 m³ in a 45-foot wide pallet HC
- Classes A/B/C identical to standard 40 feet: same grading system
- Price and resale value depend on condition, equipment, maintenance and the market. Compare itemised quotations without assuming fixed savings or depreciation.
- Daily availability in Felixstowe, Southampton and Rotterdam
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an extra 30 cm in height justify +£525 on a used container?+
Yes for conversion: insulation 8 cm + false ceiling 5 cm + technical floor 5 cm eat up 18 cm. On a high cube, you keep 2.51 m under finished ceiling; on a standard, it drops to 2.21 m, almost uninhabitable. For pallet storage, the standard is sufficient.
What thickness difference in roof between used and new high cube?+
Theoretically none: corrugated corten steel sheet 1.6 mm on both sides. In practice, a Grade C high cube may have micro-perforations on the low waves (punching by maritime loading). Inspect the roof with a torch or request a water test before purchase.
Is the 45-foot high cube less common as used?+
Yes — the 45 HC pallet wide is almost exclusively used for intra-European transport (truck). Volumes five times smaller than the 40 HC. Expect prices from £2,811 – £6,825 for a Grade A 45 HC, mainly available at major UK and northern EU ports (Felixstowe, Rotterdam).
Can a used Grade C high cube be stacked on a standard container?+
Technically yes (ISO corner fittings compatible), but a fatigued Grade C is risky at the bottom of a stack. For two-storey living use, take only Grade A or B HC and have the ground load-bearing capacity validated by a structural engineer (load ~4 t/corner).
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