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Shipping Containers for Sale

Our large selection of new and used shipping containers for sale promises to meet your requirements whether you're looking to expand your storage,

4.9 of 5, Google rating score

ISO Certified Quality

Built to recognised international container standards.

40+ Years of Experience

Supplying containers for homes and businesses across the UK.

Structural Guarantee

Inspected for strength, security and durability.

Nationwide Delivery

Delivered to your door across mainland UK.

Trusted by Businesses Across the UK
Blackpool Zoo United Utilities Warrington College Rolls Royce GB Railfreight Speedy Hire Lancaster Council G2 Energy Salford College The Padel Club Leicester Council

Browse container categories

8ft Shipping Containers

8ft Shipping Containers

Our smallest container range.

  • Ideal where space is limited
  • New and used options
  • Secure compact storage
Starting from £1,450.00 View Range
9ft Shipping Containers

9ft Shipping Containers

Compact storage & site solutions.

  • Wind & watertight
  • Ideal for restricted sites
  • New and used options
  • Suitable for storage or conversions
Starting from £1,395.00 View Range
10ft Shipping Containers

10ft Shipping Containers

Compact and practical footprint.

  • Standard and high cube options
  • Ideal for smaller sites
  • Storage and welfare units available
Starting from £1,550.00 View Range
20ft Shipping Containers

20ft Shipping Containers

Most popular container size

  • Available in new & used options
  • Wide range of specialist models
  • Good balance of space and footprint
  • Ideal for storage or conversions
Starting from £895.00 View Range
30ft Shipping Containers

30ft Shipping Containers

Professionally cut-down from larger units.

  • Standard, high cube & specilaised options
  • Ideal for storage or conversions
Starting from £2,195.00 View Range
40ft Shipping Containers

40ft Shipping Containers

High-capacity storage space

  • New one-trip and used units available
  • Standard and high cube options
  • Specialist access models available
  • Ideal for large conversion projects
Starting from £1,450.00 View Range
45ft Shipping Containers

45ft Shipping Containers

Our largest standard container size

  • Available in new and used options
  • Standard and high cube variants
  • Ideal for bulk inventory
  • Suitable for large conversions

Large selection of new & used shipping containers

No matter the application, we offer practical container options to suit a wide range of projects. Our extensive selection of both new and used shipping containers for sale guarantees you’ll find the right solution for your shipping or storage needs at competitive UK prices.

Our range includes 8ft, 9ft, and 10ft small shipping containers ideal for limited space, access-restricted sites, or lighter storage requirements. We also supply large shipping containers in sizes from 20ft to 45ft, designed for higher-volume storage, equipment housing, and commercial use.

When you purchase a shipping container from Universal Containers, we provide an expert container delivery service, handling transport and on-site placement to make the process straightforward and hassle-free, regardless of your site or access requirements.

Benefits of buying a shipping container from Universal Containers

With over 40 years of experience supplying new and used shipping containers across the UK, Universal Containers offers practical expertise, reliable service, and flexible solutions to suit a wide range of storage, transport, and conversion requirements.

Quality you can rely on

All new shipping containers meet industry standards for strength, security, and weather resistance, offering long-term durability for demanding environments, while our used containers are carefully inspected before sale so you can choose an option that suits your required condition and budget without compromising on usability or performance.
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Competitive pricing

Our new and used shipping containers are supplied at competitive UK prices, with clear and straightforward pricing across our range. There are no hidden costs, making it easier to compare options and select a container that fits both your needs and budget.
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Premium customisation options

We offer a wide range of customisation options, including additional doors, windows, ventilation, custom paint finishes, and more. Each container can be adapted to support your operational needs, branding, or site setup, giving you a solution that works exactly as intended.

Industry expertise & dedicated support

We’ve supplied a wide range of industries with custom shipping container solutions and unparalleled service for more than four decades. Our expert team will assist you at every stage, from selecting the right unit, to buying and delivering your container.

We prioritise offering value for money, and providing affordable solutions that suit all budgets and needs.

Should you have any inquiries about buying shipping container online, require a personalised quote, or simply wish to discuss your options with our expert team, do not hesitate to contact us via the contact form or give us a call at 0161 775 3217 and speak to one of our experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in touch

What sizes of shipping containers do you sell?

We stock shipping containers in 8ft, 9ft, 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, and 45ft sizes. All sizes are available in new, used, or refurbished condition depending on your specification and budget.

What is the difference between new, used, and refurbished shipping containers?

New containers (also called one-trip containers) have completed a single cargo journey and are in near-pristine condition. Used containers have seen multiple years of commercial shipping and may show cosmetic wear. They are inspected before sale and are structurally sound and watertight. Refurbished containers have been restored to a higher standard than standard used stock, with rust treatment, repainting, and seal replacement carried out, making them a midpoint between used and new in terms of condition and price.

How much does a shipping container cost in the UK?

Prices vary based on size, condition, and specification. At Universal Containers prices start from £995 ex. VAT (£1,194 inc. VAT) for a used 20ft container. 8ft containers start from £1,375 ex. VAT, 10ft from £1,575 ex. VAT, and 40ft from £1,450 ex. VAT. Check out our detailed pricing guide for more information or contact the team directly for a quote tailored to your requirements.

Do you deliver shipping containers across the UK?

Yes. we deliver nationwide across the mainland UK using specialist transport. Our container delivery service includes on-site placement, and the team manages the full logistics process. Access requirements such as road width, overhead clearance, and ground conditions should be discussed at the time of ordering.

Can a shipping container be customised before purchase?

Yes. A range of modifications are available including additional personnel doors, windows, ventilation, lock boxes, and custom paint finishes. For more complex requirements, the in-house conversion team can build bespoke solutions including offices, workshops, retail units, and specialist storage spaces.

Do shipping containers come with a guarantee?

New shipping containers come with a guarantee covering structural defects. Used and refurbished containers are inspected before sale to confirm they are watertight and structurally sound. Specific guarantee terms are available on request from the Universal Containers team.

What can shipping containers be used for?

Shipping containers can be used for secure storage, workshops, site accommodation, container conversions, retail units, pop-up spaces, and a wide range of commercial and domestic applications. Their durable steel construction makes them suitable for both short-term and long-term use.

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 Study: B&Q Click & Collect Container Conversion for Tesco Car Parks Case Studies
Case Study: B&Q Click & Collect Container Conversion for Tesco Car Parks

Universal Containers converted three new 30ft high cube shipping containers into branded Click & Collect units for B&Q, ready for use at selected Tesco car parks.

From Contraband to a Forever Home: Blackpool Zoo’s Shipping Container Tortoise Habitat Case Studies
From Contraband to a Forever Home: Blackpool Zoo’s Shipping Container Tortoise Habitat

Blackpool Zoo has rehomed a group of rescued Sulcata tortoises, several of them seized by UK customs from smugglers, in a converted 16ft shipping container on its Kidepo Trail.

Case Study: Branded Container Gym for Salford City FC Case Studies
Case Study: Branded Container Gym for Salford City FC

Universal Containers was commissioned to design and build a bespoke container gym for Salford City FC, providing players with a dedicated on-site training space.

Case Study: Garden Room Office Container Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Room Office Container

Despite restricted site access, we delivered a fully insulated, light-filled container office with carefully planned glazing, heating and electrics. The finished space provides a practical, year-round working environment suited for everyday use.

Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop Case Studies
Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop

We built a fully functional compact coffee shop from a shipping container with doors for customer access, a roller shutter for security, a serving hatch, and a small kitchen area complete with water heater and sink. 

Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop

In 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 Study: Garden Center Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Center

Universal 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 Study: Outdoor Catering Unit Case Studies
Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit

A 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 Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office

The 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 Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion Case Studies
Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion

The 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.

Dropside Shipping Container Conversion Shipping
Dropside Shipping Container Conversion

Universal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.

32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins
32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins

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”

32×10 Green Office Offices
32×10 Green Office

This particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.

20×10 Gas Bottle Store
20×10 Gas Bottle Store

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 32×10 Office / Store room
Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room

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”

20ft Multi-Bay Unit
20ft Multi-Bay Unit

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”

Don’t just take our word for it

Find out why our customers love us and our products

Posted on Google
Stephen Edwards
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Stephen and the team at Universal Container Services Limited have been super efficient and very helpful, I would recommend this company to anyone thinking about purchasing a container for any multi-use purpose.
Posted on Google
Sales @ H and B Electrical
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Great service from start to Finish, Stephen Woolley was very thorough and professional. Thanks for all your help Stephen H&B Electrical Services
Posted on Google
David Wilden
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Very impressed with the quality of the containers and the facilities they have for insulating and boarding them. Many thanks to Stephen for spending time showing us around and helping us get a great deal.
Posted on Google
Mike Gathercole
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
We have just purchased a fully insulated container from Universal we visited the site prior to our order Colin and Stephen both in the sales office we brilliant they answered all our questions and were very helpful in processing our order thanks again lads really appreciated
Posted on Google
Graham Sanderson
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Scarcroft and District Allotments Association in York have used two containers from Universal - one 20' unmodified new container as a store and one 40' new container insulated and supplied with electrics package and two secure windows and a secure accessible door as a shop- to replace their 50+ year-old wooden hut used as a shop and association base. Shaun McWilliams (project engineer) has been our main contact at Universal with oversight and support from Carl Jeffries (project manager). They have been hugely supportive through a long process. Nothing has been too much trouble for Shaun, adapting plans and offering choices at every stage - always friendly, imaginative and flexible. We'd recommend Universal without reservation for any project involving shipping containers.
Posted on Google
My AIMS Ltd Manchester
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We recently got in touch with Universal Containers Services as we were looking to stack two Containers Excellent service provided by universal containers. We dealt with Vanessa and her communication was excellent she kept us informed from point of order upto delivery. Delivery was fast and I would definitely recommend using this company.
Posted on Google
nick curtis
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Great and quick service.. Colin was really helpful and knowledgable
Posted on Google
zeshan s
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
prompt service, Colin was very helpful
Posted on Google
David Heath
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Ordered a container for a Scout group, we are so pleased with the service and the container. Very helpful and nothing was a problem, arrived on time and looks amazing. We would definitely recommend and use again.
Posted on Google
Richard Banning
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
We were impressed with the service provided by Stephen on our first order , we have purchased another 2 containers , the service and quality was very good and would recommend the company if you are looking to purchase.