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Large Shipping Containers for Sale & Hire

Our range of large shipping containers offers a versatile and cost-effective solution for secure storage, transportation, and custom projects.

Large Shipping Containers for Sale & Hire

Wide range of large shipping containers for sale

Our large shipping containers provide a practical solution for both businesses and larger-scale personal projects. Whether you need extra storage for inventory, a spacious mobile office, or a secure and durable workspace, these containers are made to withstand tough conditions and handle heavy-duty use.

We offer both new and used large shipping containers in 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, and 45ft sizes, including specialised options such as tunnel containers, full side opening, high cube, open top, and more.

Why buy a large shipping container from Universal Containers?

When you purchase a large container from us, you can be assured that every unit is built to provide durability and security. Each new and used container comes with a lock box to keep your belongings safe, along with multiple lashing points for added security during transport.

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Quality assurance

We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality large shipping containers that you can count on. Whether you choose a new or used container, you can trust that you’re investing in durable, weather resistant, and high-performance products.
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Competitive pricing

All our large containers are guaranteed to provide unbeatable value at excellent prices. Our rates ensure you receive durable, high-performance containers that meet your needs without compromising on quality, offering exceptional value with every purchase.
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Fast delivery & installation

We know your time is valuable, which is why we make fast delivery and easy installation a priority. Our team is committed to getting your container to you on time and setting it up exactly where you need it, all with minimal disruption to your day.
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Unmatched customer support

Our team of professionals is committed to delivering exceptional customer service at every stage. From assisting you in choosing the right container to offering expert advice throughout the entire process, we’re always ready to support you.

Large shipping containers for hire

We also offer flexible container hire options customised to your needs. Whether you’re looking for a long-term rental or a short-term solution, our high-quality large shipping containers are available for storage or transport requirements. Discover how hiring a container can be the perfect solution for your needs today!

20ft Container hire

20ft Container hire

The ideal choice for medium to large storage or transport.

View 20ft containers for hire
40ft Container hire

40ft Container hire

Perfect for extensive storage or transporting larger quantities of goods.

View 40ft containers for hire

Get in touch with our friendly team today to receive a fast, no-obligation quote and any information you need. We’re here to assist you with all your shipping container needs, offering expert advice and support every step of the way to ensure you make the best choice for your project.

You can also give us a call at 0161 775 3217 for a friendly chat, or feel free to email us at sales@universal-containers.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a large shipping container?

A large shipping container is any container measuring 20ft or longer. Compared with smaller containers, they offer significantly more storage space and are often chosen for commercial storage, industrial use and larger conversion projects.

What sizes of large shipping containers are available?

Large shipping containers are available in 20ft, 30ft, 40ft and 45ft sizes. The best size depends on what you need to store, the space available on site and how you plan to use the container.

How much do large shipping containers cost?

Used large shipping containers start from £995 ex. VAT (£1,194 inc. VAT) for a 20ft container and £1,450 ex. VAT (£1,740 inc. VAT) for a 40ft container. New containers start from £2,580 ex. VAT (£3,096 inc. VAT) for a 20ft unit and £3,350 ex. VAT (£4,020 inc. VAT) for a 40ft high cube container. Prices vary depending on the container’s size, condition, specification and any modifications required. If you’re looking for a bespoke container, contact our team pricing and availability.

What are large shipping containers used for?

Large shipping containers are used for commercial storage, warehousing, construction sites, agricultural storage and housing machinery, equipment and business stock. They’re also converted into offices, workshops, retail units and other bespoke spaces where more internal room is needed.

Can large shipping containers be modified or converted?

Yes. Large shipping containers are the most popular choice for container conversions because they offer more space to work with. They can be customised with personnel doors, windows, insulation, electrics, ventilation, shelving and many other features. If you have specific requirements, our team can advise on the available options and provide a tailored quotation.

How much can you fit inside a large shipping container?

The amount you can fit inside a large shipping container depends on its size. A 20ft container provides around 33m³ of internal storage space, while a 40ft container offers approximately 67m³. A 45ft high cube container provides around 86m³, making it the largest standard option available.

Which large shipping container size should I choose?

The best size depends on what you’re storing, how much space you have available and how you plan to use the container. A 20ft container is the most popular all-round choice, while 40ft and 45ft containers are better for storing larger quantities of stock, equipment or materials. If you’re unsure which size is right for you, our team can help you choose the most suitable option.

Can a large shipping container be delivered if access is restricted?

In many cases, yes. Before delivery, we’ll assess factors such as road width, turning space, overhead obstacles and ground conditions to determine whether the container can be delivered safely. If access is limited, our team can recommend the most suitable container size or delivery solution.

Need something more compact?

Check out our range of small shipping containers for sale and find the perfect solution for your limited space!

Shop small containers

Don’t just take our word for it

Find out why our customers love us and our products

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Stephen Edwards
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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.
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Sales @ H and B Electrical
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Great service from start to Finish, Stephen Woolley was very thorough and professional. Thanks for all your help Stephen H&B Electrical Services
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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.
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Mike Gathercole
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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
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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.
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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.
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nick curtis
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Great and quick service.. Colin was really helpful and knowledgable
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zeshan s
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prompt service, Colin was very helpful
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David Heath
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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.
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Richard Banning
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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.

Our containers in action

See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.

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”

10ft Generator Housing Container
10ft Generator Housing Container

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”

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

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