Rent 40ft Shipping Containers London

Rent 40ft Shipping Containers in London now! These containers are perfect for your large-scale storage and transportation needs. Find out how they can effectively meet your shipping requirements.

40ft Shipping Container

40ft Shipping Container Hire in London

In a capital city defined by premium real estate and logistical constraints, the 40ft shipping container represents the ultimate pragmatic solution for high-volume storage. For construction firms managing large-scale developments in Battersea, retailers requiring seasonal overflow capacity in Stratford, or logistics operations in Park Royal, these units provide an immediate, secure warehouse environment at a fraction of the cost of permanent infrastructure.

At Shipping Containers of London, we specialise in deploying these high-capacity units. We understand the unique challenges of London logistics and provide a seamless hire service that places secure, weatherproof storage exactly where your business needs it.

The Strategic Choice for High-Volume Storage

Hiring a 40ft container is an exercise in economy of scale. Offering double the capacity of a standard 20ft unit for only a marginal increase in rental cost, it is the most cost-effective way to secure approximately 2,350 cubic feet of storage space.

This immense capacity makes the 40ft unit the industry standard for:

  • Construction Sites: Storing lengths of timber, piping, and heavy plant machinery that cannot fit in smaller units.
  • Retail Logistics: Holding bulk inventory during peak trading periods to keep shop floors clear.
  • Corporate Relocations: Acting as a secure staging post for furniture and assets during office moves in the City or Canary Wharf.

Inventory and Specification

Our hire fleet comprises robust, steel-built units designed to withstand the rigours of industrial use and the unpredictable British climate. We offer several configurations to suit specific project requirements:

Standard 40ft Dry Van

The backbone of our fleet. These units are wind and watertight, manufactured from corrosion-resistant Corten steel, and feature heavy-duty marine plywood flooring. They are ideal for general palletised storage and equipment.

40ft High Cube Containers

For projects requiring additional vertical clearance, the High Cube option provides an extra foot of headroom (9ft 6in total height). This variant is essential for stacking pallets, storing tall machinery, or for clients in Grays and Tilbury looking to maximise cubic volume within a limited footprint.

Specialised Equipment

We also supply 40ft Open Top containers for top-loading heavy items via crane, and 40ft Refrigerated containers for the pharmaceutical and catering sectors requiring precise temperature control.

A stack of shipping containers in various colors, featuring logos from Mediterranean Shipping Company and London.
A blue shipping container stands in front of stacked red containers in a storage area.
A stack of colorful shipping containers against a blue sky, featuring brands like
A stack of blue shipping containers arranged in a storage area under a cloudy sky.
Stacks of blue shipping containers at a site, with text overlay indicating
A large empty shipping container with a reflective floor and branding for
A stack of colorful shipping containers against a blue sky, reflecting light on a wet surface.

Logistics and Delivery in the Capital

Delivering a 40ft steel structure into London requires precision planning. Unlike smaller units, a 40ft container is delivered on an articulated lorry equipped with a HIAB crane, which can reach up to 65ft.

Site Access Assessment

Before confirming a hire, it is vital to assess whether an articulated vehicle can access your location. While industrial estates in Croydon or Bromley typically offer ample room, residential streets or central London sites with Red Routes may require specific traffic management solutions.

The Installation Process

  1. Consultation: Our team will discuss your site constraints. We may request photographs or a video walkthrough to assess overhead cables, trees, and turning circles.
  2. Ground Preparation: You must provide a hard, level surface. We recommend concrete hardstanding or placing paving slabs/railway sleepers under the four corner castings to prevent the unit from sinking into the ground.
  3. Deployment: Our expert drivers will lift the container into position using the vehicle’s crane, ensuring it is level and the doors operate smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much space do I need for a 40ft container delivery?

You need significantly more space than the container itself. The delivery vehicle is an articulated lorry, approx. 60-65ft long. The driver requires a straight run to offload or a wide turning area. If your site has tight corners or narrow gates, please let us know immediately.

Do I need planning permission?

For temporary hire (typically less than 28 days), planning permission is often not required. However, for longer-term placement, especially in London boroughs with strict enforcement or conservation areas, we strongly advise checking with your local council. 40ft units are substantial structures and are harder to classify as 'temporary' than smaller boxes.

Can you deliver to residential addresses?

It is possible but challenging. 40ft containers are generally too large for standard driveways, and most residential streets in London cannot accommodate the delivery vehicle without blocking the road. We recommend 20ft units for most residential applications.

How secure are the containers?

Security is a priority. All our hire units come with a factory-fitted steel lockbox. This shroud protects your padlock from bolt croppers and angle grinders, making the unit extremely resistant to forced entry.

What is the minimum hire period?

To keep our rates competitive and account for the high logistical costs of moving 40ft units, we typically operate with a minimum hire period of 8 weeks. Contact us for specific project rates.

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.