40ft Shipping Container Hire
With 67 m³ — twice a 20ft — the 40ft is the format for large volumes: industrial storage, the contents of a big home, palletised goods, a major site base. Real 2026 rates, extra costs and the hire/buy trade-off.
Key Features
- External dimensions (L×W×H)
- 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
- Internal dimensions (L×W×H)
- 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m
- Door opening (W×H)
- 2.34 × 2.28 m
- Usable volume
- 67 m³
Dimensions and specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| External dimensions (L×W×H) | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m |
| Internal dimensions (L×W×H) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m |
| Door opening (W×H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| Usable volume | 67 m³ |
| Tare weight (empty) | 3,750 kg |
| Max payload | 26,700 kg |
40ft container hire rates in 2026
A 40ft costs around 40 to 60% more than a 20ft — but offers twice the volume, so a lower cost per m³. The monthly rate drops sharply with commitment length.
| Term | Monthly rate | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Short term (< 3 months) | £210 – £347/month | Moving, activity peaks, transitional storage. |
| Medium term (3 to 12 months) | £168 – £263/month | Long site, seasonal stock, logistics overflow. |
| Long term (12 months+) | £137 – £210/month | Permanent storage, archives, industrial buffer. |
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What is a 40ft used for on hire?
- Bulk storage — when a 20ft is too tight: the furniture of a large house, palletised stock, big equipment. 67 m³, about 26 Euro pallets on the floor.
- Major construction site — centralised storage of tools and materials for a full crew, locked on site, for the whole project.
- Logistics and import-export — buffer stock between two flows, warehouse overflow, container prep before shipping.
- Large-home move — the contents of a 4-5 bedroom house fit in a single 40ft, delivered to your door and collected once you have moved in.
- Seasonal industrial stock — series production, spare parts, equipment stored out of season at an unbeatable cost per m³.
- Bulk archives — document holdings, samples and material to keep long term with dehumidification.
Hire or buy a 40ft: where is the threshold?
A used grade-A 40ft costs around £2,800 to buy, plus £450 delivery, so £3,250 invested. Resold at ~60% of value 24 months later (£1,950), the real net cost is about £1,300 over 2 years, or ~£54/month.
On long-term hire, the same 40ft runs at £130 to £200/month. Buying therefore becomes cheaper beyond 18 to 24 months of continuous use. Below that, hire avoids tying up capital and the hassle of reselling such a bulky unit.
A 40ft is heavy and hard to resell quickly (specialist transport, fewer buyers than for a 20ft). If your need is one-off or uncertain, hire is all the more relevant in this format. For fixed, permanent storage, buying wins.
Extra costs and terms
Three items always add to the rate. The 40ft also needs enough access for delivery.
Round-trip delivery
Billed on top: £315 – £735 depending on area. A 40ft needs a longer lorry and a clear manoeuvring area — check access (passage width, height, turns) before ordering.
Deposit
A deposit of £840 – £2,100 is required at signing (cheque or card hold). Higher than for a 20ft as the unit is worth more. Refunded within 15 to 30 days after the end inspection.
Contents insurance
The contract covers the container, not the stored goods. For valuable business contents, check your liability cover or take out an 'off-site storage' extension (£70 to £220/year by declared value).
Siting and levelling
Over 12 m long, a flat, stable surface is crucial so the doors stay aligned. On soft ground, place concrete pads under the 4 corners to prevent any twisting of the structure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a 40ft container?+
Long term (12 months+): £137 – £210 per month. Medium term (3 to 12 months): £168 – £263. Short term (under 3 months): £210 – £347. Add round-trip delivery (£315 – £735) and a deposit (£840 – £2,100) refunded at the end of the contract.
20ft or 40ft: which should I hire?+
A 40ft offers 67 m³ versus 28-33 m³ for a 20ft, for only 40 to 60% more rent — so a lower cost per m³. But it needs twice the floor space and clear lorry access. Above ~35 m³ to store, or if you handle pallets, the 40ft is more economical. Below that, the 20ft is enough and can be delivered anywhere.
How much space do I need for a 40ft?+
Allow a flat spot of roughly 12.5 × 2.5 m, plus manoeuvring room for a 15-18 m lorry. Access is the first blocker on this format: measure passage width, clearance height and turning radius before ordering.
Can the container be stacked or moved after placement?+
A 40ft can only be moved with a hiab or crane; it is not a DIY operation. Stacking is reserved for equipped depots and is generally not allowed at the hirer's site for safety and insurance reasons.
Is the hired container watertight and secure?+
Reputable hirers deliver checked 'wind & watertight' units. Insist on a signed inspection with photos at delivery. For security, ask for a factory lock-box or add one; the steel structure itself is very hard to force.
Who pays for delivery and collection?+
The hirer, on top of the monthly rate: £315 – £735 round trip depending on area and access. End-of-contract collection is generally included in this fee — confirm on the quote, especially if access is tight.
Your 40ft on hire, wherever you need it
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