20ft Shipping Containers for Sale in London

Secure, Versatile and Built for Daily Use

The 20ft shipping container is the industry standard for a reason. It offers strong internal capacity without occupying excessive floor space, making it suitable for construction sites, self-storage facilities, retail stock, workshops, schools, and home projects throughout Greater London.

A standard 20ft container provides approximately 33.2m³ of internal storage space and can hold the contents of a one or two-bedroom property, up to 10 standard pallets, or heavy site equipment. Its compact footprint also makes delivery easier in tighter urban locations where a 40ft container may not fit safely.

At Shipping Containers of London, we supply both new one-trip and used 20ft containers with fast delivery across London and the South East. Every unit is checked for structural condition, door operation, flooring integrity, and weather resistance before dispatch.

What Makes a 20ft Container Popular?

Strong Corten Steel Construction

Our containers are manufactured from high-tensile Corten steel. This corrosion-resistant steel is designed for long-term exposure to harsh marine environments and repeated loading cycles. The corrugated side panels increase strength while helping the container resist twisting and impact damage.

Secure Double Cargo Doors

Each container includes full-width double cargo doors with multiple vertical locking bars for secure closing. Most one-trip units also include a factory-fitted lockbox, which shields the padlock from bolt cutters and tampering.

Wind and Watertight Protection

All containers sold by Shipping Containers of London are supplied as wind and watertight. This means the roof, side panels, flooring, and door seals prevent water ingress and protect the contents from rain, debris, and severe weather.

Suitable for Storage or Conversion

The 20ft size is widely used for storage containers, workshops, pop-up retail units, welfare cabins, site offices, and container conversions. Its ISO dimensions also allow easy stacking, transport, and relocation if your site requirements change later.

20ft Container Dimensions and Specifications

Understanding the exact dimensions and weights is important before arranging delivery or planning storage layouts.

The tare weight is the empty weight of the container itself. The payload refers to the maximum permitted cargo weight inside the container. For international transport, weight limits must also comply with road haulage regulations and port requirements.

More specification details are available on our 20ft container dimensions page.

New and Used 20ft Containers

New One-Trip Containers

A one-trip container has made a single loaded journey from the manufacturing depot before resale. These units are normally in near-new condition with minimal cosmetic wear. They are ideal for long-term storage, customer-facing businesses, premium conversions, and locations where appearance matters.

Typical prices for a 20ft standard container range from £1,150 to £2,200 depending on specification, colour, availability, and delivery location.

Used 20ft Containers

Used containers provide a lower-cost storage solution while still offering excellent structural strength. They may show dents, surface rust, repairs, and signs of previous shipping use, but remain secure and weather-resistant.

For many construction firms, farms, workshops, and storage yards, a used container provides the best balance between price and durability.

Delivery and Site Access Requirements

Before delivery, it is important to check that your site can safely receive and position the container.

• Ground conditions: Containers should sit on firm, level hardstanding such as concrete, compacted stone, railway sleepers, or steel pads.
• Vehicle access: Standard HIAB delivery vehicles require adequate width, turning space, and overhead clearance.
• Delivery clearance: Allow approximately 12ft width clearance and up to 14ft height clearance for safe unloading.
• Positioning space: The HIAB crane requires additional side space beside the delivery vehicle to lift and place the container.

Our logistics team will help assess your delivery location before booking transport. We also provide detailed delivery guidelines to help avoid access issues on delivery day.

Common Uses for 20ft Containers

Construction Site Storage

20ft containers are widely used for storing tools, generators, PPE, building materials, and plant equipment on secure sites across London boroughs, including Hackney and Lambeth.

Self-Storage and Business Stock

The internal dimensions suit pallet storage, retail overflow stock, archived files, and e-commerce inventory. The standard shape also allows efficient shelving installation.

Container Conversions

20ft containers are frequently converted into cafes, workshops, bars, site offices, gyms, and garden rooms. Their structural strength makes cutting openings for doors and windows straightforward when handled correctly.

International Shipping

Containers intended for export may require a valid CSC plate. The CSC plate confirms the container complies with international safety standards for sea transport and identifies inspection history, maximum gross weight, and manufacturing date.

Container Modifications Available

Shipping Containers of London can modify 20ft containers to suit specific operational or storage requirements.

• Lock upgrades and lockboxes
• Personnel doors and steel security doors
• Windows and shutters
• Electrical installation with lighting and sockets
• Insulation and ply lining
• Shelving and storage systems
• Custom paint finishes in RAL colours

Visit our container conversion section for more examples and specifications.

Buy or Hire a 20ft Shipping Container

If you only need temporary storage, container hire can reduce upfront costs. Hiring is common for construction projects, temporary warehousing, and event storage.

Typical hire rates for a 20ft standard container range from £60 to £150 per month, depending on rental period, availability, and delivery location.

Buying is usually more cost-effective for long-term use or conversion projects. Ownership also allows full modification and repainting without restrictions on rentals.