All guides to choose the right shipping container
Fifteen independent guides to make an informed decision: prices in 2026, dimensions, direct comparisons (20ft vs 40ft, new vs used, buying vs renting…), administrative procedures (permits, PLU, HACCP, taxation). All based on real market data observed in France, updated every quarter.
Essential guides
Read first if you are new to shipping containers.
Price of a shipping container in 2026
Complete barometer: 20ft, 40ft, high cube, refrigerated — new, one-trip, used. Price grids, monthly rental costs, additional expenses (delivery, permits, connections).
Read the guidePrice of a 20-foot container
Focus on 20 feet: new price grid (from £3,600) and used (from £1,400), monthly rental, six pricing factors, comparison 20/40/HC.
Read the guidePrice of a 40-foot container
Focus on dry and high cube 40 feet: grid with 10 variants × conditions, rental for 12 months, seven pricing factors, comparison 20/40/45.
Read the guidePrice of a refrigerated container
Reefer 20' and 40': purchase price grid (from £4,500), rental with maintenance, monthly electricity cost, Carrier vs Thermo King.
Read the guideContainer rental price
Monthly tariffs for 2026 in all formats (20', 40', HC, reefer, site bungalow), ancillary costs (deposit, delivery/collection, penalties), break-even point for purchase/rental.
Read the guideContainer dimensions
ISO 668 reference table: length, width, interior/exterior height, volumes, weight, EUR pallet capacities. To bookmark.
Read the guideHow to Choose Your Container
Decision Tree in 4 Steps: Usage → Duration → Condition → Format. The 3 Classic Mistakes to Avoid.
Read the guideComparisons
To decide between two specific options.
20 vs 40 feet : which one to choose?
Price comparison per m³, surface area, pallets, uses, profitability. A simple rule to decide in 2 minutes.
Read the guideNew vs used: the true TCO calculation
Price difference, remaining lifespan, resale value, 10-year TCO. Verdict by use case.
Read the guideBuy or rent: the 18-month rule
Detailed calculation over 2, 5, and 10 years. Exceptions (reefer, converted) and LOA cases.
Read the guideContainer house vs brick-built house
Price per square metre, construction site lead time, durability, Building Regulations Part L compliance, resale value, bank financing.
Read the guideBungalow vs algeco vs shipping container
Structure, lifespan, safety, residual value after 10 years. When to prefer each solution.
Read the guidePiscine container vs concrete pool
Price installed, lead times, durability, available shapes, above-ground. Who wins according to your project.
Read the guideReefer vs fixed cold room
Mobility, flexibility, cost, maintenance. Hybrid option possible (fixed cold room + reefer as backup).
Read the guideTiny house container vs on wheels
Surface, cost, mobility, regulation, lifespan. Which option for which lifestyle.
Read the guideRegulation & practice
Administrative, legal and technical procedures for your project.
How our guides are written
All ContainerEU guides are produced by our editorial team, reviewed by at least one independent industry expert (freight forwarder, manufacturer, architect, fitter or planning lawyer depending on the topic), and updated at least once a year. Figures come either from real quotes circulating on the UK market (anonymised), or from official sources clearly cited (ONS, HSE, ISO standards, Companies House). No supplier can buy a recommendation in our guides — that's a non-negotiable rule of our editorial independence.
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