Price of a shipping container in 2026
Indicative model ranges, excluding delivery and options. The quote must specify the final price, container condition and included services.
Purchase: complete 2026 grid
| Type | Brand new | One-trip | Grade A used | Grade B used | Grade C used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 feet dry | £1,807 – £3,544 | £1,607 – £3,071 | £1,104 – £2,205 | £904 – £1,890 | £703 – £1,575 |
| 40 ft dry | £2,109 – £4,331 | £1,958 – £3,780 | £1,456 – £2,993 | £1,155 – £2,520 | £954 – £2,126 |
| 40 ft high cube | £2,259 – £4,883 | £2,109 – £4,253 | £1,607 – £3,308 | £1,305 – £2,756 | £1,054 – £2,284 |
| 45 ft high cube | £2,912 – £6,221 | £2,611 – £5,355 | £2,109 – £4,331 | £1,707 – £3,544 | £1,406 – £2,914 |
| 20 ft reefer | £4,267 – £11,025 | £3,765 – £7,875 | £2,761 – £5,906 | £2,259 – £4,331 | — |
| 40 ft reefer | £6,024 – £17,325 | £5,020 – £13,388 | £4,016 – £10,238 | £3,263 – £7,481 | — |
| open top 20' | £2,410 – £5,119 | £2,109 – £4,253 | £1,607 – £3,308 | £1,255 – £2,599 | — |
| flat rack 40' | on quote | £2,259 – £5,119 | £1,757 – £3,780 | — | — |
Indicative model ranges, excluding delivery and options. The quote must specify the final price, container condition and included services.
Monthly rental 2026
| Type | Short term (<3 months) | Medium (3-12 months) | Long (12+ months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft storage container | £70 – £197 | £50 – £142 | £40 – £110 |
| 40 feet storage | £100 – £260 | £80 – £197 | £65 – £158 |
| Reefer 20' | £351 – £945 | £276 – £669 | £226 – £551 |
| Site bungalow | £141 – £354 | £110 – £276 | £90 – £228 |
Monthly rates excluding delivery (£263 – £630 round trip) and deposit (£525 – £2,625).
Additional costs not to be forgotten
Delivery
£263 – £1,155 depending on zone and format. Double for a round trip in rental.
Connections
For a reefer: £315 – £1,575 electrical connection at 380 V. For a sanitary unit: £525 – £2,625 plumbing.
Foundations / pads
Simple concrete pads: £315 – £630. Full slab: £2,100 – £5,250 depending on surface area.
Permits & taxes
In the United Kingdom, check the use, location and required permissions with the local authority before ordering. Applicable framework: England / Wales / Scotland / Northern Ireland: planning permission; building regulations / building standards. Floor area alone does not determine whether a container may be installed.
Conversion
Converted living space: £15,750 – £63,000 depending on finishes. Fitted-out site cabin: £6,300 – £14,175.
Insurance
From £53 – £158/year for professional liability, plus according to the value of stored contents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors influence the price of a shipping container?+
Compare format, condition, specialisation and equipment. Materials, transport and available offers can influence the quote, without an established annual percentage change here.
How should you compare an indicative online price with a quotation?+
An online price can be an indicative reference, separate from a quotation for an identified unit. Compare format, condition, equipment, options, VAT, transport and unloading, and obtain written availability and total price. ContainerEU forwards the request to independent providers; their offer must confirm these items, and the platform guarantees no all-inclusive partner price.
How much does it cost to deliver a shipping container?+
£263 – £945 for a 20-foot container, £368 – £1,155 for a 40-foot container, depending on the zone. Paris city centre, mountain zones, Corsica: higher end of range. Industrial area accessible in province: lower end. A delivery in a dense urban centre may require a crane truck with additional cost (£210 – £525) or special handling.
After what period does leasing become more expensive than buying?+
Compare the total cost over your intended use: purchase price and estimated resale value, rent, delivery and collection, maintenance, insurance and financing. There is no universal threshold in months: use quotes for your market and a cautious resale assumption.
Is there VAT on the shipping container?+
In the United Kingdom, the standard VAT rate is 20 %, subject to special schemes, exemptions and cross-border treatment. Deduction, depreciation and lease accounting depend on your business and tax regime: ask a local accountant to validate the invoice and treatment.
Will prices go up or down in 2026-2027?+
It's impossible to predict precisely, but the trends are clear. Structural increases linked to steel prices and rising demand (housing, events). Short-term fluctuations related to maritime freight (geopolitical tensions, seasonality). Our advice: if your project is imminent, buy now, prices have little chance of dropping significantly.
Explore by format and duration
Price of a 20-foot shipping container
Focus 20': new, one-trip, Grade A/B/C used + monthly rental.
Price of a 40-foot container
40' dry and high cube: 10 variants × conditions + long-term rental.
Price of refrigerated container
20' and 40' reefer: purchase, rent, monthly electricity cost.
ContainerEU rental prices
Monthly rates for all formats, deposit, delivery round trip, rule 18 months.
Complete dimensions
All ISO measurements: exterior, interior, weight, volume, pallets.
Purchase or rental?
The 18-month rule and exceptions (reefer, conversion).
Get the real price for your needs
5 precise quotes, all-inclusive, subject to supplier availability.