20ft Reefers

Buy 20ft refrigerated containers in London to meet your temperature-sensitive cargo needs.

Refrigerated Containers

20ft Refrigerated Shipping Containers for Sale in London

Compact, powerful, and precise, our 20ft refrigerated containers offer the definitive solution for temperature-sensitive storage and transport in urban environments. They are the trusted choice for London’s food, pharmaceutical, and event industries, ensuring the integrity of your cold chain is never compromised.

Compact Cold Storage, Built for London’s Demands

In a capital city where commercial footprint is at a premium, our 20ft refrigerated containers, known as 'reefers', provide the perfect balance of compact design and substantial cold storage capacity. These units are engineered to maintain a precise internal temperature, typically ranging from a deep-frozen -25°C to a chilled +25°C. This capability makes them indispensable for businesses that rely on an unbroken cold chain, whether for storing artisanal foods near Borough Market, temperature-sensitive medicines in White City, or fresh floral products at New Covent Garden Market.

At Shipping Containers of London, we provide a comprehensive inventory of both new and expertly refurbished 20ft reefers. Every unit is professionally serviced, certified for performance, and ready for rapid delivery to demanding sites across Greater London, from commercial kitchens in Kensington to logistics hubs in Camden.

A white reefer shipping container with a blue machinery section, located in a port area with other containers around.
A white shipping container with specifications, placed among other shipping containers at a docking area.
An open shipping container with an empty interior, surrounded by stacked containers in the background.
A stack of shipping containers in a storage area, with clear blue skies and a nearby wall.
Three stacked white shipping containers against a blue sky, with a logo partially visible in the foreground.
Two shipping containers are parked closely together, displaying various cargo specifications and safety warnings.
Two shipping containers stand side by side, displaying labels and caution signs in a bright, sunny setting.
A Thermo King refrigeration unit inside a shipping container, with warning labels and control panel visible.
An empty, dark cargo space with ridged flooring and smooth walls, illuminated faintly.
A large white shipping container at a port, with a clear blue sky overhead and another container in the background.
A white shipping container beside other stacked containers under a blue sky, featuring safety labels and details.
A white shipping container stands in an industrial area, with other containers visible in the background.

Core Features of Our 20ft Reefer Containers

Precision Temperature Management

The cornerstone of every reefer is its advanced refrigeration machinery. Our containers are equipped with high-performance, digitally controlled units that maintain your specified temperature accurately and consistently, providing absolute peace of mind for your valuable, perishable goods.

Hygienic, Food-Grade Construction

Designed for the safe storage of consumables, the interior is lined with food-grade stainless steel and features a durable T-section aluminium floor. This surface is not only robust enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and pallet trucks but is also non-porous and easy to steam clean, ensuring the highest levels of clinical hygiene are maintained.

Superior Insulation and Efficiency

High-grade polyurethane foam insulation is injected throughout the container’s walls, roof, and doors. This exceptional thermal efficiency minimises temperature fluctuations, protects goods during a power outage, and significantly reduces the workload on the refrigeration unit, resulting in lower energy consumption and operating costs.

Robust, Secure, and Weatherproof Build

Constructed from corrosion-resistant Corten steel, a 20ft reefer is built to withstand the rigours of global transport and the unpredictable British weather. They feature heavy-duty, fully sealed doors with robust locking mechanisms, providing secure, weatherproof storage you can rely on.

New vs. Used 20ft Refrigerated Containers

We offer both new and refurbished units to provide the right solution for every budget and application.

New 'One-Trip' 20ft Reefers

Our new reefers feature the very latest in energy-efficient refrigeration technology and arrive in pristine condition. These units are the premium choice for long-term investments, business-critical storage, or international shipping where maximum reliability and a professional corporate appearance are essential.

Fully Refurbished Used 20ft Reefers

A refurbished reefer from Shipping Containers of London represents outstanding value. Before any sale, each unit undergoes a full Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI) by a certified engineer. The machinery is fully serviced and tested to ensure it performs flawlessly across its entire temperature range. These containers are a cost-effective and dependable choice for on-site cold storage.

Technical Specifications

The specifications below detail a standard 20ft refrigerated (reefer) container. Please note that actual measurements may vary slightly depending on the specific manufacturer and model year.

20ft Refrigerated Container Specifications
Specification Dimension / Detail
External Dimensions (L x W x H) 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in (6.06m x 2.44m x 2.59m)
Internal Dimensions (L x W x H) 17ft 10in x 7ft 6in x 7ft 5in (5.44m x 2.29m x 2.26m)
Temperature Range -25°C to +25°C (digitally controlled)
Power Supply 3-phase, 32-amp, 400V (5-pin CEE plug)
Floor Type T-section aluminium for airflow and hygiene
Insulation High-density polyurethane foam, injected panels
Interior Lining Food-grade stainless steel
Tare Weight Approx. 3,200 kg
Maximum Payload Up to 27,000 kg (varies by model)
Maximum Gross Weight 30,480 kg

Do you require more internal height or volume? Explore our 40ft refrigerated containers for larger-scale cold storage requirements.

Ideal Applications for 20ft Cold Storage

  • Event and Catering Refrigeration: The perfect mobile cold room for festivals, weddings, and pop-up food markets across London.
  • Retail and Restaurant Overflow: Provides essential extra chilled or frozen capacity during seasonal peaks (such as Christmas) or for businesses with limited internal space.
  • Pharmaceutical and Medical Storage: A secure, stable environment for storing vaccines, samples, and other vital medical supplies.
  • Cold Chain Logistics: An integral part of the supply chain for importing and distributing perishable goods through London’s transport arteries.
  • Butchers and Farm Shops: Offer a dedicated, hygienic space for safely storing meat and fresh produce.

Customisation and Modification Services

We can adapt your 20ft reefer to meet your precise operational needs. Our skilled team offers a wide range of modifications.

  • Enhanced Security: For high-value goods, we can install high-security lockboxes, advanced digital locking systems, and remote temperature alarms.
  • Interior Functionality: Maximise your storage with bespoke shelving and racking systems. We also fit interior lighting, panic alarms, and additional power sockets.
  • Exterior Finishing: We can repaint the container in your specific corporate colours and apply professional, weatherproof branding and logos.

Explore the full range of options on our container conversion services page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact dimensions of a 20ft refrigerated container?

External dimensions are standard at 20ft (L) x 8ft (W) x 8ft 6in (H). Internally, due to the thickness of the insulation and the machinery unit, the space is approximately 17ft 10 in (L) x 7ft 6 in (W) x 7ft 5 in (H). For precise figures, please check our 20ft refrigerated dimensions page.

What power supply is required to run a 20ft reefer?

Most of our 20ft refrigerated containers require a 3-phase, 32-amp electrical supply with a 5-pin CEE plug. We can advise on specific requirements and offer guidance on potential single-phase solutions for certain static applications.

How does a reefer ensure consistent cooling throughout?

Reefers use a specialised T-floor design. Chilled air is forced from the refrigeration unit, flows through channels in the T-floor to the far end of the container, and then circulates back over the top of the cargo. This ensures even, consistent airflow, eliminating warm spots and maintaining product integrity.

Can I hire a 20ft refrigerated container?

Yes, absolutely. For short-term needs such as events or seasonal peaks, our 20ft refrigerated container hire service is a flexible and cost-effective alternative to purchasing.

A few of our Trustpilot reviews.

Amazing Service

Jeremy and the Team were very easy to work with. extremely quick to respond to our needs and the overall delivery was spot on. The container supplied was brand new and exceptionally clean, ready for our items to be stored safely and securely.

What a refreshing experience

What a totally, refreshingly, brilliant company to deal with. They do what they say they will do at a time they say they will do it. Completely up front about everything: quality, cost, delivery etc. Nothing hidden. They accommodate the customer as far as humanly possible and their communications are spot on. I wish more companies were like this one.

20' x 8' Container Delivery

The service from this company was excellent. We were working to tight deadlines and Jeremy was incredibly prompt in his communication, from the initial quote to the follow up email, to check everything had been received. He phoned the haulier and arranged a delivery around our schedule and Andy (the driver), kept us informed, so we knew exactly when he was arriving.

A professional company, that I would recommend highly.