Reefer container hire
Summer cold chain reinforcement, event storage, pharmaceutical support, agricultural production: reefer hire covers most temporary refrigeration or freezing needs. Prices 2026, uses, terms.
2026 Rates
| Format | Short term | Medium term | Long term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft reefer | £469 – £1,260 | £368 – £893 | £301 – £735 |
| 40 ft reefer | £636 – £1,680 | £502 – £1,155 | £435 – £998 |
| 40 ft HC reefer | £703 – £1,838 | £569 – £1,313 | £502 – £1,155 |
Excluding delivery £315 – £735, excluding electrical hookup £315 – £1,575, excluding consumption £210 – £578/month depending on usage.
Main uses
- Seasonal agro-food — harvests, festivals (Christmas, Easter) where storage spikes temporarily. One to four-month hire common.
- Event Management — festivals, caterers, trade shows: temporary need for 3 to 15 days, often with a generator set.
- Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry — temporary cold room support during production peaks or backup in case of main system failure.
- Catering Solutions — seasonal reinforcements for food truck events, beach restaurants, specific production campaigns.
- Laboratory — controlled temperature testing and sample storage over the project duration.
- Export — one-off shipment of refrigerated goods without investing in a reefer container.
Local regulations
Have a competent electrician check the connection against the rules in the United Kingdom, the equipment rating plate and the local network operator’s requirements. A French standard or certificate does not automatically apply to this market.
Local regulations
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.
Autonomous generator
Indispensable in remote areas (festival, isolated construction site, distant agricultural operation). Generator rental from £84 – £158/day. Fuel consumption diesel 3-6 L/h, or £74 – £158/day for gasoil. Plan a fuel tank of 500-1 000 L and scheduled refuelling for rentals longer than 3 days. The most flexible solution.
Required power according to format and use
| Format / usage | Average Power | Start-up peak | Recommended generator | CEE socket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 feet refrigeration (+2 to +8 °C) | 3-5 kW | 8-10 kW | 15 kVA | 32 A |
| 20 ft refrigerated container (-18 to -25 °C) | 5-7 kW | 10-12 kW | 20 kVA | 32 A |
| 40 ft refrigerated container | 4-7 kW | 10-12 kW | 20 kVA | 32 A |
| 40 ft HC refrigerated container | 6-8 kW | 12-15 kW | 25 kVA | 63 A |
| Fleet of 3–4 reefers | — | — | 50-80 kVA | dedicated dashboard |
Size the generator with +30 % margin to absorb start-up peaks and summer heat peaks (condenser load increased by 20-40 % above 30 °C external temperature).
Sector configurations
Each vertical has its specificities: temperature range, traceability requirements, contract duration, human presence on site. Three profiles cover the majority of reefer requests received on ContainerEU.
Agro-food & grape harvest
- Range : +2 to +8 °C (fruit, vegetables, grapes) or -18 °C for frozen goods.
- Duration: 6-10 weeks during season (September-October harvest, summer fruit).
- Reservation: Book 6-10 weeks in advance — demand peaks.
- Electricity: Available from power supply if three-phase 32 A is available, otherwise generator.
- Seasonal budget: Rental, electricity and delivery are quoted separately.
Pharma, laboratory, biotech
- Range : +2 to +8 °C (vaccines, temperature-sensitive medicines) or -20 °C.
- Critical : timestamped temperature log, threshold alarm, redundancy.
- Duration: 6-24 months — backup cold room or production support.
- Compliance : Traceability and qualification according to the product and applicable quality system.
- Monthly budget : £536 – £1,575 + £53 – £210 monitoring.
Event & festival
- Range : 0 to +8 °C (beverages, caterer), sometimes double -18 °C ice cream.
- Duration: 3 to 21 days, often without on-site power supply.
- Config: reefer pack + generator 15-25 kVA + 200-500 L initial fuel.
- Reservation: 4-8 weeks in advance (June-July fully booked).
- Weekend Budget: All-inclusive quote depending on format, duration and included services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of renting a reefer?+
Have a competent electrician check the connection against the rules in the United Kingdom, the equipment rating plate and the local network operator’s requirements. A French standard or certificate does not automatically apply to this market. Estimates to confirm locally: £301 – £735, £435 – £998, £368 – £893, £502 – £1,155, £315 – £735, £315 – £1,575.
What is the monthly electricity consumption?+
At 2-4 °C refrigeration: £210 – £368/month electricity at commercial rates. At -20 °C freezing: £420 – £578/month. Consumption depends on model, climate, temperature setting, insulation, door openings and operating hours. Size the installation and budget using supplier data, a documented test and the local electricity tariff.
Can a reefer be rented without mains power connection?+
Yes, via a dedicated generator (15-25 kVA). Generator rental: £84 – £158/day + fuel (diesel). Common solution for events, festivals, remote areas with no grid access. Some suppliers offer all-inclusive packages reefer+generator+fuel, billed weekly.
What is the minimum duration for a reefer rental?+
Minimum term, billing frequency, advance payments, notice and extension or termination fees depend on the offered contract. Obtain a written schedule and full cost; no contractual period or discount applies to all suppliers.
Is the reefer delivered with cargo on board?+
No — it arrives empty and at ambient temperature. You turn it on upon delivery, and it cools down in 2 to 4 hours depending on the set point. For loading, it is crucial that the cargo is already at the correct temperature: loading fresh goods at 20 °C into a reefer maintaining 4 °C takes time and may trigger alarms. Pre-cool pallets in dock refrigeration before loading.
What happens if the reefer breaks down during rental?+
Specify alarms, call-out cover, response time, replacement and backup arrangements in the contract. Availability depends on supplier and site; no failure rate or fixed response time is guaranteed here. For sensitive cargo, plan transfer or backup power and check goods insurance, limits and responsibilities under the contract and applicable law.
Can temperature be monitored remotely (IoT, monitoring)?+
Define remote monitoring for the products and quality system: calibrated sensors, temperature mapping where needed, records, alarm limits and a response procedure. For medicines, follow applicable good distribution practice and authorised storage conditions; for food, follow your HACCP assessment. A commercial subscription alone does not prove compliance.
Also worth seeing
Refrigerated container (purchase)
Brand new / used price in 2026, lifespan, temperature range.
Agricultural Sector
Harvest peak season, reefer calendar, uses for fruits and vegetables.
Reefer electricity
Have a competent electrician check the connection against the rules in the United Kingdom, the equipment rating plate and the local network operator’s requirements. A French standard or certificate does not automatically apply to this market.
Your cold chain rental solution
Up to 5 reefer specialist quotes subject to supplier availability.