Shipping containers make great stores, site offices and workshops, but getting one delivered and placed exactly where you want it takes planning. This guide covers container sizes and weights, the delivery methods available, and the access you will need on site.
Container sizes and weights
The two most common containers are the 20ft and the 40ft:
| 20ft | 40ft | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6.06m | 12.19m |
| Width | 2.44m | 2.44m |
| Height (standard) | 2.59m | 2.59m |
| Empty weight (approx.) | ~2,230kg | ~3,750-3,950kg |
High Cube containers add about 0.3m to the height. The empty weights above matter for the lift, but if the container is already full of goods, the total can be far heavier, so always tell your haulier whether it is empty or loaded.
How containers are delivered
Hiab (lorry-mounted crane)
A Hiab lorry carries the container and lifts it off into position using its own crane. This is the most flexible method for placing a container precisely – onto a base, between obstacles or over a low fence – and needs no second vehicle. It is the popular choice for single deliveries to yards and sites.
Tilt-bed (cant rail) lorry
A tilt-bed lorry slides the container off the back at an angle and lowers it gently to the ground. It is well suited to deliveries onto flat, accessible ground where exact placement is less critical, and the container ends up roughly where the lorry stands.
Flatbed plus separate crane
For heavy, stacked or awkwardly sited containers, a flatbed delivers and a mobile crane lifts. This handles the trickiest placements but needs space for two vehicles and more set-up.
Access: the part people forget
Most failed deliveries come down to access. Before booking, check:
- Clear run for the lorry: a 20ft delivery needs a few metres of clear space; a 40ft needs roughly 12.5m of straight run to position the container
- Side clearance: a Hiab needs around 3-4m clear alongside the drop point to swing the load
- Firm, level ground: concrete, tarmac or compacted hardstanding that will take the lorry’s weight and outriggers
- Overhead hazards: no power lines or low branches near the lift; allow generous height clearance
- Width and weight limits on the approach roads and any gateways
Soft ground is a common problem. A fully loaded lorry on wet grass or loose soil can sink or be unable to lift safely, so a firm base really matters.
Preparing a base for your container
A container will last far longer and stay drier if it sits on a proper base rather than directly on soil. Concrete, paving slabs, railway sleepers or a level bed of compacted hardcore all work well. The container only needs to be supported at its four corners and along its length, but it must be level – an uneven base can twist the frame and stop the doors closing properly. Having the base ready before delivery day also makes placement quicker and the lift safer.
What affects the cost
Container delivery is priced on distance, container size and weight, the delivery method, and how easy the site is to access. A simple Hiab drop onto an open, firm yard close to base is the most economical; a long-distance delivery to a tight, awkward site costs more. If a separate mobile crane is needed, or the container is loaded and heavy, expect that to add to the price too. As with any haulage, the clearer the picture you give up front, the more accurate the quote.
Moving an existing container
It is not only new containers that need transporting – many jobs involve relocating one you already own, perhaps to a new site or a different part of a yard. The same principles apply: the haulier needs to know the size, whether it is empty or full, and the access at both the pick-up and the drop-off. A loaded container is much heavier and may change the lifting method, so never assume it can be moved as-is without checking the contents and weight first.
Get your container delivered right
Send us the container size, whether it is empty or loaded, and a description of the site, and we will recommend the best delivery method. Northampton Road Haulage delivers and positions shipping containers across the UK. Call 01604 385213 for a quote.