40ft Container The Essential FAQ

A standard 40ft shipping container measures 12.19m (40ft) in length, 2.44m (8ft) in width, and 2.59m (8ft 6in) in height. Internal space is slightly less due to wall thickness.

Standard shipping containers are globally standardized at 8 feet (2.44 meters) wide.

Standard containers are 8 feet 6 inches (2.59m) tall. "High Cube" variants offer an extra foot of height, totaling 9 feet 6 inches (2.89m).

A 40ft container provides approximately 67.7 cubic meters (2,390 cubic feet) of volume, enough for roughly 20-22 standard UK pallets.

Imperial: 40'L x 8'W x 8'6"H. Metric: 12.19m L x 2.44m W x 2.59m H.

Common types include Dry Storage (standard), High Cube (extra height), Open Top (for heavy machinery), Flat Rack (collapsible sides), and Refrigerated (Reefers).

They are often called ISO containers, Cargo containers, Sea cans, Conex boxes, or simply Storage units.

The industry standards are 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft. At ML-Box, we specialize in 40ft units for maximum storage value.

Buying a used 40ft container can range from £1,500 to £3,500 depending on condition. Hire rates with ML-Box start from £116.00/wk ( Excl. VAT).

While the steel structure is robust, we strongly recommend insurance for the contents. Most business or home insurance policies can be extended to cover on-site container storage.

Usually considered "temporary structures," containers often don't need planning permission for short-term use. However, conservation areas or residential placements for more than 28 days may require notification.

Yes, but this requires full planning permission and must comply with UK Building Regulations (insulation, fire safety, and ventilation).

Hiring a container is simple. We specialize in 40ft shipping containers, perfect for construction storage solutions and large-scale containerised storage. Just provide your location in Leeds or Manchester, and we’ll arrange fast delivery to your site or home at a competitive shipping container rental cost. When you’re finished, we’ll handle the collection at your convenience.

We deliver containers across Leeds, Manchester, and surrounding areas. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just give us a call — we’re happy to help.

At MLBox, we offer transparent shipping container rental costs with no hidden fees. Our standard 40ft shipping containers start from just £116.00/wk (Incl. VAT) for our Leeds and Manchester inventory. Whether you need a lockable shipping container for a week or a year, we keep our rates competitive to provide the best value containerised storage in the North.

Yes, absolutely. As long as there’s enough space for delivery, we can place a container on your driveway, garden, or private land. We’ll confirm access details before delivery to make sure everything goes smoothly.

In most cases, no planning permission is needed if the container is used temporarily on private property. However, if you plan to keep it for several months or in a public area, it’s best to check with your local council.

Yes. Every ML-Box container is made from heavy-duty steel and fitted with lockboxes for extra protection. We inspect and clean all units before delivery to ensure they’re safe, dry, and ready to use.

Yes, we offer flexible hire terms — whether you need a container for a few weeks, several months, or on an ongoing basis. You can extend or end your hire anytime with just a quick call or email.

We aim to deliver within 24 to 48 hours in most Leeds and Manchester locations. For urgent requests, give us a call — we often have same-day delivery slots available.

You can book online, send us an email, or call our Leeds or Manchester depots directly. We’ll guide you through the process, confirm delivery, and get your container to you fast.

Absolutely. Compared to traditional brick-and-mortar warehouses, containers offer immediate, weatherproof, and highly secure storage at a fraction of the cost.

Our units are designed for maximum versatility, supporting everything from secure car storage in Leeds to heavy-duty construction storage solutions. These lockable shipping containers provide a dry, secure environment for plant machinery, construction materials, retail business stock, and household furniture. While our units are ideal for containerised storage of tools and goods, please note that hazardous or flammable items are strictly prohibited for safety and insurance compliance.