Refrigerated (reefer) container hire
Hire a 20ft, 40ft or 40ft High Cube reefer for a few days or several months, from +25 °C down to -25 °C: seasonal produce, events, pharma back-up or export. Rates are monthly and exclude delivery, electrical hook-up and power consumption.
Monthly reefer hire rates 2026
| Size | Short-term | Medium-term | Long-term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft reefer | £351 – £945 | £276 – £669 | £226 – £551 |
| 40ft reefer | £477 – £1,260 | £377 – £866 | £326 – £748 |
| 40ft High Cube reefer | £527 – £1,378 | £427 – £984 | £377 – £866 |
Excluding delivery (£315 – £735), electrical hook-up (£315 – £1,575) and power consumption (£210 – £578/month depending on use).
Main uses
- Seasonal food production — grape and crop harvests, Christmas and Easter peaks when storage needs spike. Hire of one to four months is common.
- Events — festivals, caterers, trade shows: temporary need for 3 to 15 days, often with a generator set.
- Pharma and biotech — extra cold storage during production peaks, or back-up if the main cold room fails.
- Catering — extra seasonal capacity for food-truck events, beach restaurants and specific production runs.
- Laboratory — controlled temperature testing and sample storage over the project duration.
- Export — one-off shipment of refrigerated goods without investing in a reefer container.
Power supply: three-phase mains or a generator?
A reefer draws 3 to 8 kW on average when running, with peaks of 10-15 kW at start-up or in hot weather. It needs a three-phase supply (CEE 32 A or 63 A plug depending on model) — no single-phase, no domestic socket — so check this before delivery. Have a competent electrician check the connection against UK wiring rules, the equipment rating plate and the local network operator's requirements.
Three-phase mains connection
The cheapest option if your site already has a three-phase distribution board within 50 m of where the container will stand. Connection costs £315 – £1,575 (heavy-duty cable, CEE socket and protection). Electricity costs £210 – £578/month on a business tariff, depending on the setpoint and how often the doors are opened. Have a competent electrician size the installation using the supplier's data and your electricity tariff.
Stand-alone generator
Essential where there is no mains supply (festival, remote building site, isolated farm). Generator hire £84 – £158/day. Diesel consumption 3-6 L/h, i.e. £74 – £158/day in fuel. For hires longer than 3 days, plan a 500-1,000 L fuel tank and scheduled refuelling. The most flexible solution.
Power required by container size and use
| Container / use | Average power | Start-up peak | Recommended generator | CEE socket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft chilled (+2 to +8 °C) | 3-5 kW | 8-10 kW | 15 kVA | 32 A |
| 20ft frozen (-18 to -25 °C) | 5-7 kW | 10-12 kW | 20 kVA | 32 A |
| 40ft chilled | 4-7 kW | 10-12 kW | 20 kVA | 32 A |
| 40ft High Cube frozen | 6-8 kW | 12-15 kW | 25 kVA | 63 A |
| Fleet of 3–4 reefers | — | — | 50-80 kVA | dedicated distribution board |
Size the generator with a 30% margin to absorb start-up peaks and summer heat (condenser load rises by 20-40% above 30 °C outside).
Set-ups by sector
Needs vary by sector: temperature range, product tracking, hire period and staff on site. These three examples help you prepare a refrigerated container request.
Food production & harvests
- Range: 0 to +8 °C (fruit, vegetables, grapes) or -18 °C for frozen goods.
- Duration: 6-10 weeks during season (September-October harvest, summer fruit).
- Booking: Book 6-10 weeks in advance — demand peaks.
- Electricity: mains power if a three-phase 32 A supply is available, otherwise a generator.
- Seasonal budget: Hire, 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: £402 – £1,181 + £53 – £210 monitoring.
Event & festival
- Range: 0 to +8 °C (drinks, catering), sometimes a second unit at -18 °C for ice cream.
- Duration: 3 to 21 days, often without on-site power supply.
- Set-up: reefer + 15-25 kVA generator + 200-500 L of fuel to start with.
- Booking: 4-8 weeks in advance (June-July fully booked).
- Weekend budget: All-inclusive quote depending on format, duration and included services.
Reefer hire: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a reefer container?+
Long-term (12+ months): £226 – £551 a month for a 20ft, £326 – £748 for a 40ft. Medium-term: £276 – £669 (20ft) / £377 – £866 (40ft). Delivery (£315 – £735), the three-phase electrical connection (£315 – £1,575) and power consumption are extra. Have a competent electrician check the connection against UK rules and the equipment rating plate.
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 hired without a mains connection?+
Yes, with a dedicated generator (15-25 kVA). Generator hire: £84 – £158/day plus diesel. A common solution for events, festivals and remote sites with no grid connection. Some suppliers offer all-inclusive reefer + generator + fuel packages, billed weekly.
What is the minimum hire period for a reefer?+
It depends on the supplier's contract: no minimum period applies to every supplier. Get the minimum term, billing frequency, advance payments, notice period and any extension or early-termination fees in writing, with the full cost.
Is the reefer delivered with cargo on board?+
No — it arrives empty and at ambient temperature. You switch it on at delivery and it reaches the setpoint in 2 to 4 hours. The goods must already be at the right temperature when loaded: putting fresh produce at 20 °C into a reefer holding 4 °C takes a long time and may trigger alarms. Pre-cool the pallets in a cold store before loading.
What happens if the reefer breaks down during the hire?+
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.
Hire a reefer for your cold chain
Up to 5 quotes from reefer specialists, subject to supplier availability.