How to Buy A Cheap Shipping Container In London

Freight containers can vary in price according to size, type, condition, age and location. Traditionally 40ft containers are not much more expensive than 20ft containers.

It may seem strange to someone enquiring about ISO containers for the first time that something twice the length can be almost the same price. The main reason for this is that 20 foot shipping containers can be moved around much more easily and with space being at a premium in the U.K more sites can accommodate smaller equipment.

Containers are generally sold off when they reach 7-12 years old or when the cost to repair them exceeds the amount for which the previous owner was prepared to pay. Newer equipment can be purchased but as these are quite often containers which could be used readily in a fleet the cost to buy them is that much more.

Brand new containers or one trippers as they are sometimes known are the most expensive option, build costs are increasing but they are still much lower than they used to be. Buying a used container in “as is” condition will usually be the cheapest way to buy. In this instance any repairs required will not have been carried out and the container will be sold in exactly the same condition as the dealer bought it. Occasionally you may be lucky and get a container in reasonable condition, perhaps even wind and watertight. The nature of container shipping however with the constant handling and battering by the sea generally leads to metal containers needing some sort of repairs before they are suitable for use even for storage.