Buying a refrigerated container in the UK comes down to a choice between two routes: a used unit retired from deep-sea service, typically £4,500 to £7,500, or a new one-trip container at £18,995 to £22,500. All prices on this page are ex VAT — add 20% — and are indicative figures observed on the 2026 market, not quotes. EuroReefer is an editorial comparator dedicated to reefer containers: this page maps the two routes, the grades and the costs that follow the purchase.
Used or new one-trip: what you’ll pay
A used reefer has spent its first life carrying chilled and frozen cargo at sea; in good condition it still has ten to fifteen years of service in it. A new one-trip container has made a single loaded voyage from the factory and arrives in near-new condition — the choice where presentation and hygiene carry weight.
| Option | Typical UK price (ex VAT) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Used, working order | £4,500 – £7,500 | cold storage on a controlled budget |
| New one-trip | £18,995 – £22,500 | food-facing sites, maximum service life |
| Non-operational reefer | roughly 30–50% below a comparable Grade B unit | insulated dry storage, no refrigeration |
See our prices page for what drives these figures, and used refrigerated containers for sale for the second-hand market itself. If the premium tempts you, our page on buying a new one-trip reefer explains what those very few running hours actually buy — and when a recent, well-tested used unit does the same job for a third of the money.
Grades A, B and C in brief
Grade A is the pick of the used fleet: typically under twelve years old, fully working and presentable. Grade B works just as well but carries more dents and cosmetic wear. Grade C is sold as seen, frequently with a tired or faulty cooling unit, and suits repairers or anyone who only needs an insulated box. Whatever the grade, ask for a PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) report less than three months old before you pay.
Sizes: 10ft, 20ft and 40ft high-cube
The 20ft reefer is the workhorse of the market: 6.06 m long externally, around 28 m³ inside and room for ten to eleven pallets, with a tare weight of roughly 3,000 kg — see 20ft refrigerated containers for sale. The 40ft high-cube offers around 67 m³, twenty-three pallet positions and a generous 2.55 m internal height; it delivers the lowest cost per pallet of any format, which is the sum worth running if you store on pallets rather than in loose boxes — our page on 40ft high cube reefers for sale works that arithmetic through, along with the ground and power such a unit demands. The 10ft (about 15 m³, four to five pallets) suits tight sites, though its 2.99 m length is measured over the cooling unit, so the usable interior is noticeably shorter. Supply of this format is genuinely scarce and the price per cubic metre reflects it: if a yard or courtyard leaves you no room for a 20ft, start with 10ft refrigerated containers for sale. Every format is smaller inside than the equivalent dry container: the insulation takes thickness from walls, ceiling and floor. Standard units hold any set point between -25°C and +25°C.
Chilled or frozen: the same machine
Buying “a freezer container” usually means buying an ordinary refrigerated container and running it at -18°C: the standard reefer covers -25°C to +25°C, and the purchase price does not change with the set point. The electricity bill does. If your duty is firmly frozen — ice cream, fish, frozen ready meals — our page on buying a freezer container sets out the running costs at a negative set point, the extra checks that matter on the cooling unit, and what hard frozen service does to resale value.
Budget beyond the sticker price
The purchase price is not the whole bill. Allow for delivery by crane-equipped lorry, which varies with distance and access; an electrician’s visit if three-phase power is not already in place — most reefers run on 380/400 V through a 32 A five-pin CEE plug; the electricity itself, at roughly 70 to 170 kWh per day depending on size and set temperature; and an annual service of the cooling unit.
Buying used without the guesswork
The used route rewards a little discipline. Ask for a recent PTI report, insist on seeing the unit run cold — ideally down to your intended set point — and check the age against the grade being claimed. A professional seller typically adds services worth paying for: a cold test before dispatch, delivery, sometimes a warranty, and a company to go back to afterwards. Our used buying guide walks through the full inspection checklist.
Hire first, buy later?
If your need is seasonal or short-lived, buying may be premature. UK hire starts at around £12 per day on long-term contracts — though minimum terms of ninety days are common, and genuine short-term hire exists with some providers. The usual arithmetic: once you expect eighteen to twenty-four months of continuous use, ownership tends to win.
Ready to compare offers?
Tell us the size, the set temperature and the delivery postcode. We transmit your request to specialist reefer suppliers, who come back to you directly if they can meet your requirement — you compare the offers and deal with the supplier of your choice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used refrigerated container cost in the UK?
On the 2026 UK market, a working used refrigerated container typically sells for £4,500 to £7,500 ex VAT, depending on size, age and grade. VAT at 20% and delivery come on top. These figures are indicative market observations rather than quotes — the right price depends on the individual unit, so always ask for a recent PTI test report before committing.
What do Grade A, B and C mean on a used reefer?
Grades describe condition. Grade A is the pick of the fleet — typically under twelve years old, clean and fully working. Grade B works but shows more wear and cosmetic damage. Grade C is sold as seen, often with a tired or faulty cooling unit, and suits repair projects or purely insulated storage. A used reefer in good condition generally has ten to fifteen years of service left.
Is a new one-trip refrigerated container worth the extra money?
A one-trip container has made a single loaded voyage from the factory and arrives in near-new condition. On the 2026 UK market that costs £18,995 to £22,500 ex VAT — a clear premium over used, justified where hygiene, appearance or maximum service life matter. Bear in mind that any warranty is offered, or not, by the supplier: ask for the terms in writing before you commit.
Should I hire or buy a refrigerated container?
The usual tipping point is eighteen to twenty-four months of continuous use — beyond that, buying tends to work out cheaper than hiring. UK hire starts at around £12 per day on long-term contracts, though minimum terms of ninety days are common; genuine short-term hire does exist with some providers. For a seasonal peak, hire first; for a permanent cold store, ownership usually wins.
How much electricity does a refrigerated container use?
Expect roughly 70 to 170 kWh per day depending on the size of the unit and the set temperature — a small chilled container sits at the bottom of that range, a 40ft high-cube freezer at the top. Most units run on a three-phase 380/400 V supply through a 32 A five-pin CEE plug, so budget for an electrician if three-phase power is not already on site.