Shipping Container Delivery
Universal Containers offers professional container delivery and transport services throughout the continental UK, ensuring your investment reaches its destination safely and with ease.
Our expert team and professional delivery drivers can manage the delivery and offloading of any container – regardless of whether it’s loaded or empty.
Once you’ve placed your order for a shipping container – or a stylish conversion – the next step is getting it to your location. While the delivery process might seem complex, we’re committed to making the delivery of your shipping container straightforward, efficient, and hassle-free.
Shipping container delivery options
We offer four main shipping container delivery options to suit your needs and can arrange special deliveries for unique requirements if needed. You’re also welcome to pick up your container directly from our depot using your own truck or haulier.
Standard delivery
Our standard delivery involves a container truck without cranes, ideal for customers equipped to offload the container themselves. This option works best if you have access to appropriate machinery or a team to handle the unloading. Our team will ensure the container arrives safely, and from there, it’s up to you to place it exactly where you need it.
Hiab crane delivery
Our Hiab crane delivery service uses a vehicle equipped with a crane to offload and position your container. This option is perfect if you require the container to be placed in a specific location or if you lack the equipment to offload it yourself. The Hiab crane allows for precise placement, making it ideal for sites with limited space or specific requirements.
Sidelifter delivery
If you’re purchasing an export container that needs to be offloaded at your site before being loaded and transported later, the sidelifter delivery option is the ideal solution. These specialised vehicles are equipped to lift the container off the truck and leave it securely on-site. Once you’ve loaded the container, it can be collected and taken to the port, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for export preparation.
Specialised delivery
For challenging sites or unique requirements, we offer a range of specialised delivery options. These are designed to handle restricted access situations, such as low bridges, tight spaces, or sites with overhead obstructions. With our expertise and specialised equipment, we can position the container exactly where it needs to go, even in the most demanding conditions.
If you’re unsure about any aspect of the delivery process or have concerns about your site’s accessibility, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us beforehand. It’s always better to ask a quick question than to face unnecessary complications on delivery day.
Customer collection
You can opt to collect your container directly from our depot, where we have lifting facilities to load it onto your truck. This option is ideal if you have your own transport and want to manage the delivery yourself. Please note that the truck must be a standard skeletal frame container trailer or flatbed with twist locks to ensure safe transportation. Additionally, the driver and haulier must comply with our depot’s health and safety requirements, including wearing full PPE and following all instructions provided by the depot staff.
What to expect from container delivery
Before having your container delivered, you may be asking yourself what preparations and information are necessary to ensure everything goes smoothly before it arrives. Understanding what happens during your shipping container delivery can help make the process efficient and worry-free.
By knowing what to expect, you’ll be well-prepared for each stage of the process, from coordinating timing to the final placement of your container. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Delivery timing and confirmation
Before delivery, we’ll confirm your scheduled date and provide an estimated time of arrival. You can expect our team to keep in touch as the delivery date approaches, ensuring that any last-minute details are covered.
On the day of the delivery, the driver will reach out to confirm access details and verify any specific instructions for placement. If you have questions or need to make adjustments, we’re available to help so you’re confident everything is set for a seamless delivery.
2. Arrival and unloading
Once our team arrives, we’ll carefully assess the unloading area and check for any potential obstacles. Using specialised equipment, our crew will carefully offload your container, ensuring it remains stable and secure throughout the process. The unloading usually takes between 30–60 minutes, depending on the container size and the accessibility of the drop-off location. Our priority is making sure that unloading goes smoothly without risk to your property or the container itself.
3. Positioning your container
Placement is essential for safe, long-term use, so we’ll work with you to position the container exactly where you want it. The delivery truck requires enough space to back up and manoeuvre, so having a clear, accessible area ready is crucial.
For larger containers, the truck may need to extend further to handle the container with precision. Once in place, we’ll check the positioning and stability, adjusting as needed until it’s securely set.
4. Final check and approval
After the container is positioned, you’ll have the opportunity to review the setup and confirm that everything meets your needs. Our team will walk through any final placement details with you to ensure it’s exactly right. If you require adjustments to better align the container or reposition it, we’re here to make those changes before we leave.
Once approved, we’ll provide you with the final documents and any important advice regarding maintenance or usage.
Check out our wide range of shipping containers
How to prepare for delivery of your shipping container
Ensuring a smooth and efficient delivery process for your shipping container starts with a little preparation. A smooth and efficient delivery process can make all the difference when receiving your shipping container. Here are some essential steps to prepare for a hassle-free delivery:
- Choose the right spot: Select a level area with firm ground that’s easy for the delivery truck to access. Aim for a space with enough clearance around the container’s footprint for safe unloading and manoeuvring. As a rule of thumb, a 20-foot container generally requires at least 60 feet of clearance, and a 40-foot container will need closer to 100 feet.
- Check accessibility: Make sure that trucks have easy access to your property. Ensure there’s enough clearance, especially if trees, wires, or other obstacles could interfere with entry. Confirm that your site can accommodate the truck size and type required for delivery.
- Confirm site permissions: Verify any necessary permissions or approvals required by local authorities, especially if the container is being placed near property lines or in a regulated zone.
- Prepare the ground: A stable, flat surface will help avoid tilting or damage. For best results, consider using levelling blocks, slabs, or gravel to ensure your container stays level and secure after placement.
- Be available on delivery day: Being on-site or designating a representative during delivery ensures you can address any last-minute questions and confirm the ideal placement before the container is set down.
Shipping container delivery checklist
FAQs
Can your delivery trucks lift over a wall, fence, hedge?
Yes, this is possible if we can park directly next to the wall, hedge, or fence and drop the container on the opposite side. However, there must be no overhead wires that could obstruct the delivery process.
Can you deliver under power lines?
No, we need clear height access to offload the container, and it would be too dangerous with power lines overhead.
Can you deliver into a warehouse or building?
Yes, provided the access door is tall and wide enough to accommodate the vehicle and container. We can also use a forklift to position the container inside, at an additional cost. We recommend providing site photos or scheduling a site visit. to confirm the details.
How much does it cost for delivery?
The cost depends on your postcode and site access. For an accurate quote, please get in touch with your postcode and site access details.
Can you deliver over grass?
We can deliver over grass during the summer months, but this must be agreed upon at the time of booking and is weather-dependent. We advise providing site photos or arranging a site visit for better planning.
How wide are your delivery trucks?
Our delivery trucks range from 8ft to 9ft wide.
How tall is your delivery truck?
The height varies depending on the size and number of units being delivered, ranging from 12ft to 14ft 3in.
How much reach does your Hi-Ab crane arm have?
All our Hiab cranes have a reach of 16 meters. Our smaller cranes can lift up to 2.25 tonnes, while our larger cranes can lift up to 4 tonnes.
Do you offer delivery on weekends or evenings?
Yes, we can deliver during evenings and weekends for an additional charge.
How quickly can you arrange a container delivery?
Delivery is usually arranged within 3 days from payment, subject to container availability.
Can the container be offloaded from the rear of the wagon?
Containers up to 20ft in length can be offloaded from the rear of the wagon, depending on available space and the area for offloading.
Looking for a completely custom solution?
We have a wide range of base containers that can be customised to your needs, however we
realise
that
sometimes you need something completely ‘Outside the box’.
Contact us and one of our experts will be in touch to help design the container of your
dreams
Our containers in action
See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.
Case StudiesIn the pursuit of enhancing their museum and workshop facility, the Locomotive Society sought a creative solution to provide a welcoming space for their members, while adhering to the historical aesthetic of their railway centric environment.
Case StudiesUniversal Containers embarked on an exciting project to enhance a garden centre’s retail experience by supplying and customising two shipping container cabins. The goal was to seamlessly link these cabins on-site and transform them into a vibrant and functional gift shop.
Case StudiesA restaurant had been operating successfully for several years. However, due to increasing demand and limited space within the restaurant premises, the owners decided to expand their operations by introducing an outdoor catering unit.
Case StudiesThe local rugby club had been using a small, outdated ticket booth that no longer met their needs. The club’s management sought a more efficient and visually appealing solution that could accommodate their growing fan base.
Case StudiesThe client, an Industrial Chemical Storage Company specialising in chemical production and storage, faced the challenge of storing hazardous chemicals on their premises while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations.
ShippingUniversal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.
These 2 large 32x10ft cabins were built for a British transport company. They requested a large space to act as a welfare facility for drivers and staff in the peak district. Due to the customer’s specific requirements, one unit was not large enough so we suggested 2 units, however floor space was an issue on-siteContinue reading “32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins”
OfficesThis particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.
Custom Built Atex Coshh store for storing gas bottles. This unit was custom built with corrugated steel panels 20ft long x 10ft wide. It had a fully ventilated floor from galvanised steel mesh, as well as 4 aluminium louver vents in the walls. We also fitted galvanised box section racks with chains on to holdContinue reading “20×10 Gas Bottle Store”
Corrugated steel cabin 32ft x 10ft with adjustable jacklegs anti vandal steel personnel door and anti-vandal aluminium sliding windows in steel shutters. Painted externally in non-corrosive container paint in a vibrant red. Internally with walls where lined in a cost-effective melamine faced chipboard and fully insulated throughout in Rockwool. The floor had hard wearing vinylContinue reading “Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room”
Standard shipping container transformed into a bespoke storage unit. With multiple purposes across many industries. For example, self-storage companies or engineering companies for members of staff to lock tools away when not in use. The unit was split evenly into 8 small rooms approximately 5ftx4ft each by steel partition walls for security. Each room withContinue reading “20ft Multi-Bay Unit”
10ft container conversion for an off-grid company custom built to house a very large generator. The customer wanted a unit with multiple apertures and louver vents to allow for ventilation, they wanted all openings to have cover hoods to help stop water coming in. The Universal CAD team had a meeting with the client toContinue reading “10ft Generator Housing Container”
Site AccommodationThis 40ft x 12ft custom built flat panel cabin was a container conversion project completed for Eddie Stobart’s site.
Site AccommodationWithin today’s economic climate, many of us face struggles surrounding our finances.
A simple 20ft container converted for a customer who needed a unit for 2 uses, sometimes required as just a basic store and other times as an office space. We fitted 2 windows with steel security shutters and fitted an anti-vandal steel personnel door for easier access, especially when being used as an office, butContinue reading “Cladded Container Bar”
Storage container for Sliver cross baby in Skipton, our client wanted a cladded container to be used to store stock in their Skipton depot. As the unit was cladded externally in high graded larch cladding, we used a used 20ft container to help keep the cost down (as the container condition wouldn’t be seen) toContinue reading “20ft Cladded Store”
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