High Cube Container Hire (40ft HC)
A high cube is a 40ft with 30 cm of extra height: 2.70 m of internal headroom and 76 m³, roughly 13% more volume. The go-to format for tall loads, fit-out and anything that won't fit in a standard container. 2026 rates, uses and terms.
Key Features
- External dimensions (L×W×H)
- 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m
- Internal dimensions (L×W×H)
- 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 m
- Door opening (W×H)
- 2.34 × 2.58 m
- Usable volume
- 76 m³
Dimensions and specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| External dimensions (L×W×H) | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m |
| Internal dimensions (L×W×H) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 m |
| Door opening (W×H) | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
| Usable volume | 76 m³ |
| Tare weight (empty) | 3,980 kg |
| Max payload | 28,600 kg |
High cube hire rates in 2026
A high cube hires for slightly more than a standard 40ft (about 10 to 15% more) for 13% more volume. As always, the monthly rate falls with commitment length.
| Term | Monthly rate | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Short term (< 3 months) | £231 – £378/month | Events, logistics peaks, tall transitional storage. |
| Medium term (3 to 12 months) | £189 – £284/month | Building site, temporary workshop, tall racked stock. |
| Long term (12 months+) | £158 – £231/month | Dense permanent storage, lasting fitted unit. |
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What is a high cube used for on hire?
- Tall loads — machinery, bulky furniture, shelving, double-stacked pallets: the extra 30 cm of height changes everything compared to a standard 40ft.
- Maximum volume per footprint — 76 m³ on the same footprint as a standard 40ft: the best volume-to-area ratio for dense temporary storage.
- Temporary fit-out — workshop, changing room or site office where you move around upright comfortably, without the cramped feel of a standard container (2.39 m).
- Logistics storage — warehouse overflow with tall shelving, racked goods, high industrial equipment.
- Sports and event gear — structures, demountable stands, sets and bulky equipment needing loading height.
- Move with large furniture — tall wardrobes, appliances and long items that stow better thanks to the extra volume and height.
Hire or buy a high cube?
A used grade-A 40ft high cube costs around £3,000 to buy, plus £450 delivery, so £3,450 invested. Resold at ~60% of value after 24 months (£2,050), the real net cost is about £1,400 over 2 years, or ~£58/month.
On long-term hire, the same high cube runs at £150 to £220/month. Buying therefore becomes cheaper beyond 18 to 24 months of continuous use. Below that, hire stays preferable, all the more so as the high cube resells more slowly than standard formats.
If your need for height is temporary (a site, a season, an event), hire: you avoid tying up a specific unit and handling its resale. If you plan a lasting fit-out (workshop, premises), buying is the way — most hirers forbid structural changes.
Extra costs and terms
Same items as a standard 40ft, with one watch-point on delivery height.
Round-trip delivery
Billed on top: £336 – £788 depending on area. A high cube stands 2.90 m tall on a hiab, more in transport: check the clearance under every obstacle (porch, cables, branches, gate) on the approach route.
Deposit
A deposit of £945 – £2,310 at signing (cheque or card hold), a notch above a standard 40ft as the unit is worth more. Refunded within 15 to 30 days after the end inspection.
Contents insurance
The contract covers the container, not its contents. Check your home insurance or business liability cover, or take out a dedicated extension by stored value (£25 to £220/year).
Height and siting
With 2.70 m inside, the high cube loads upright comfortably. On the ground, the same levelling as a standard 40ft applies: flat surface, pads under the 4 corners on soft ground to keep the doors aligned.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a high cube?+
Long term (12 months+): £158 – £231 per month. Medium term (3 to 12 months): £189 – £284. Short term (under 3 months): £231 – £378. Add round-trip delivery (£336 – £788) and a deposit (£945 – £2,310) refunded at the end of the contract.
What is the difference between a high cube and a standard 40ft?+
A high cube is 2.90 m tall (2.70 m inside) versus 2.59 m (2.39 m inside) for a standard 40ft: 30 cm more, about 13% extra volume (76 m³ versus 67 m³). Same length, same footprint. The rate is about 10 to 15% higher. Choose it whenever you load tall or want to stand upright inside.
Can a high cube be delivered anywhere?+
This is the main watch-point: at 2.90 m tall on a hiab (more on a standard trailer), you need clear headroom all the way to the placement spot — mind porches, overhead cables, branches and gates. Measure before ordering; access that is too low can prevent delivery.
How much space do I need for a high cube?+
The same as a standard 40ft on the ground: a flat spot of roughly 12.5 × 2.5 m, plus lorry manoeuvring room. It is the height, not the footprint, that sets the high cube apart — think above all about vertical clearance on the route.
Can I fit out a hired high cube (workshop, changing room)?+
Removable fittings (benches, shelving, racks) are generally accepted. Structural changes (windows, fixed electrics, glued insulation, cutting) are forbidden by most hirers. For a lasting fitted unit, buying or a pre-fitted module (site cabin) is more suitable.
Who pays for delivery and collection?+
The hirer, on top of the rate: £336 – £788 round trip depending on area and access (height matters here). End-of-contract collection is generally included in this fee — confirm on the quote.
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