The 40 ft high-cube is the largest reefer most buyers will consider, and Grade B is where its value peaks. You get the full 67 m³ of insulated volume — about 23 pallets and an interior height of 2.55 m, noticeably more headroom than a standard-height box — without paying the premium a Grade A unit carries for its cosmetics and sub-twelve-year age. What you accept in return is honest wear: scuffed paint, minor dents, weathered flooring. None of that touches the cold chain, which is why Grade B is the default for buyers who want cold volume to use, not to display.
What Grade B actually means on this format
The grade describes the shell, not the machine. A Grade B 40 ft reefer still has to earn its price on the cold unit — a Carrier, Thermo King, Daikin or Star Cool group that holds temperature across the standard -25°C to +25°C range. The one document that proves it is a recent PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection): insist on one dated within the last three months, and treat a cheap box with no fresh test as an unknown rather than a bargain — our used-buying guide sets out what to check. A well-kept Grade B unit typically has 10 to 15 years of service left, the same as a Grade A of this size, so you are paying less for the paint, not for fewer years. The insulated interior is also smaller than a dry container of the same footprint, because the walls, ceiling and floor all lose thickness to insulation.
Power, footprint and running costs
A box this size is a serious electrical load. At a +2°C chill setpoint a 40 ft high-cube draws roughly 170 to 190 kWh a day; frozen at -18°C, closer to 190 to 215 kWh. It needs a three-phase 380/400 V supply through a CEE 32 A five-pin socket, so budget for a connection if the site has only single-phase power. Delivery calls for a hiab or crane and clear access for a 12.19 m unit, with a tare of about 4.5 tonnes — plan the drop before you commit.
When it is the wrong box
Do not default to 40 ft just because the price per cubic metre looks lowest. If you handle a dozen pallets or fewer, a 20 ft reefer is cheaper to buy and much cheaper to run, because you are not paying to chill empty space. If you need cold storage for less than 18 to 24 months of continuous use, hiring usually works out cheaper than owning. And for a static, plugged-in box, ATP transport approval does not apply, so don’t let a listing upsell you on it. Compare current bands on our prices page and the full range in the catalogue.
Specifications
| Size | 40ft high cube |
|---|---|
| Usable volume | ~67 m³ |
| Capacity | 23 |
| Internal dimensions | ≈ 11,58 × 2,29 × 2,55 m |
| Temperature range | -25 °C / +25 °C |
| Condition | Class B |
| Power supply | Three-phase 380/400 V, 32 A CEE plug (5-pin) |
| Common refrigeration units | Carrier, Thermo King, Daikin, Star Cool |
| Typical use | food industry, logistics, supermarket chains |
What "Class B" means
Visible signs of use (dents, surface corrosion) but a working, tested refrigeration unit. The best cooling-to-price ratio for seasonal use.
A standard reefer covers both modes: it's a setpoint to adjust, not a different product. It also heats, up to +25°C (frost-free storage).
What drives the price
- The refrigeration unit's running hours — the top factor on the used market, body condition being equal.
- The make of the unit — parts availability matters more than the name itself.
- The condition of the body — corrosion, door seals, flooring marked by forklifts.
- The region and site access — delivery by crane lorry costs £700 to £1,700.
EuroReefer does not sell containers. We hold no stock and run no depot: the ranges above are ballpark figures observed on the European market, not an offer of sale. We pass your enquiry on to specialist suppliers, who contact you directly if they can meet it.
Similar references
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20ft Refrigerated Container — Used, Grade B
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40ft High Cube Reefer — Used, Grade A
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40ft High Cube reefer, new one-trip
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40ft High-Cube Reefer Freezer — Grade A
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used Grade B 40 ft high-cube reefer cost in the UK?
Expect £5,000 to £7,500 ex VAT for the unit alone — the upper part of the UK used-reefer band of £4,500 to £7,500. A one-trip 40 ft reefer runs £18,995 to £22,500 ex VAT, so buying Grade B saves the most on this largest format. Budget separately for delivery and a three-phase connection; VAT is charged at 20%.
Grade B or Grade A for a 40 ft reefer?
Grade A means a unit under 12 years old with the lightest wear, and it sits a few thousand pounds higher. Grade B trades cosmetics for price while keeping the same 10 to 15 years of likely service. On this format the premium is worth paying only if appearance matters; for back-of-yard storage, Grade B is the sensible buy. Insist on a PTI test under three months old whichever grade you choose.
Is a 40 ft high-cube too big for my needs?
Possibly. It draws 170 to 190 kWh a day at a chill setpoint and needs a 32 A three-phase supply, so cooling it half-empty is expensive. If you handle fewer than a dozen pallets, or need the box for under 18 to 24 months, a smaller unit or a hire arrangement usually costs less overall.