Shipping Policy
Delivery
Shipping & Delivery Policy
Everything you need to know about how we deliver your container — from the moment you order to the moment it's placed exactly where you need it.
3–7 Working Days
Standard delivery lead time
Nationwide Coverage
Delivery across the entire UK
Dedicated Driver
Direct contact on delivery day
Confirmed Date
Delivery date agreed before dispatch
01
Delivery Areas
Containex Pro delivers throughout mainland England, Scotland, and Wales. We operate from a network of strategically located depots, ensuring efficient and cost-effective delivery to virtually every postcode on the UK mainland.
Standard Zone
England, Wales & Central Scotland — best lead times and most competitive delivery pricing.
Extended Zone
Scottish Highlands, Southwest Cornwall, and other remote mainland areas — additional lead time and delivery surcharge may apply.
Islands & Offshore
Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Scottish Islands — please contact us for a bespoke delivery quotation as specialist logistics are required.
Not sure if we deliver to your location? Contact our team with your postcode and we will confirm availability and provide a delivery price within 2 hours during business hours.
02
Delivery Lead Times
All delivery lead times are measured in working days (Monday–Friday, excluding UK public holidays) from the date full payment is received and cleared.
| Order Type | Standard Lead Time | Express Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard stock container (used / WWT) | 3–5 working days | Yes — 24–48hrs |
| One-trip container | 3–7 working days | Yes — subject to stock |
| New (factory) container | 7–14 working days | Limited availability |
| Simply modified container (door, vents, paint) | 5–10 working days | Subject to workshop capacity |
| Full fit-out / bespoke conversion | As agreed at quotation stage | Not applicable |
| Extended / remote delivery zones | Add 2–3 working days | Not guaranteed |
Lead times are a guide and not a contractual guarantee. During peak periods (typically spring and summer) lead times may be slightly extended. We will always communicate any delays proactively and never leave you without an update.
03
Delivery Methods
We use two primary delivery methods depending on your site configuration and container positioning requirements. Our team will discuss and confirm the most appropriate method when you place your order.
Tilt-Bed (Skeletal) Delivery
Most CommonOur tilt-bed lorry tilts its flatbed deck and slides the container smoothly off the rear onto your prepared surface. This is the most efficient and cost-effective delivery method and is suitable for the vast majority of sites.
Suitable for:
- Sites with clear, straight vehicle access
- Open yards, fields, driveways, and car parks
- Ground-level placement
Space required:
- 20ft container: Approx. 18–20 metres of straight run-up ahead of the drop position
- 40ft container: Approx. 25–30 metres of straight run-up ahead of the drop position
- Minimum overhead clearance of 5 metres throughout the vehicle's approach
- Minimum lane width of 3.5 metres
HIAB Crane Delivery
Specialist AccessOur HIAB crane lorry uses a hydraulic knuckle-boom crane mounted on the vehicle to lift and precisely place the container. This is ideal where the drop position cannot be reached directly by a tilt-bed lorry.
Suitable for:
- Sites with restricted or narrow access
- Gardens, rear yards, or enclosed spaces
- Placement over walls, fences, or obstacles
- Elevated or tiered placement
- Stacking containers on top of one another
Important notes:
- HIAB delivery carries an additional charge — quoted at order stage
- The ground adjacent to the lift zone must support the lorry's stabiliser legs (outriggers)
- Maximum reach and lift capacity vary — confirm your requirements at the time of ordering
Please assess your access carefully before ordering. If you are uncertain whether your site can accommodate a tilt-bed delivery, please contact us. Our team will advise you honestly — we will never dispatch a driver to a site that is unsuitable, as this wastes your time and incurs abortive delivery charges.
04
Delivery Costs
Delivery costs are calculated based on your delivery postcode, container size, and chosen delivery method. All delivery charges are quoted inclusive of fuel, driver, and standard drop-off — there are no hidden surcharges.
| Container Size | Standard Zone (approx.) | Extended Zone (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft Container | From £150 + VAT | From £220 + VAT |
| 20ft Container | From £195 + VAT | From £295 + VAT |
| 40ft Container | From £250 + VAT | From £380 + VAT |
| HIAB Crane Surcharge | From £175 + VAT (in addition to standard delivery) | |
| Express / Next Day | Surcharge from £75 + VAT, subject to availability | |
The prices above are indicative starting prices only. Your exact delivery cost will be confirmed in writing at the time of quotation based on your specific postcode and requirements. Delivery charges are subject to VAT at the standard rate. All prices correct at date of last policy update and may be subject to change.
05
Site Access Requirements
It is the customer's responsibility to ensure the delivery site meets the access requirements of the chosen delivery method before the delivery date. Please review the following carefully:
Vehicle Access
- The delivery lorry is an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) — typically 44 tonnes gross vehicle weight when loaded
- Ensure road surfaces, bridges, gates, and access routes are suitable for HGV use
- If weight restriction signs are present on the approach route, please notify us before ordering
- Low bridges, overhead cables, or tree canopies with less than 5 metres clearance may prevent delivery
- Narrow lanes less than 3.5 metres wide may prevent delivery by tilt-bed — a HIAB may be required
Overhead Clearance
- The tilt-bed lorry requires a minimum 5 metres overhead clearance throughout the delivery approach and during the tilt operation
- Check for power lines, telephone cables, tree branches, roof overhangs, and low barriers
- Contact your local utility provider if there is any doubt about cable heights
Turning Space
- If the delivery lorry cannot exit the site by driving forward, adequate turning or reversing space must be available
- Please inform us at the time of ordering if the lorry will need to reverse in or manoeuvre in a tight space
If our driver arrives at your site and determines that safe delivery cannot be achieved due to access issues that were not disclosed, an abortive delivery charge will apply. Please be thorough and honest when describing your site access at the time of ordering.
06
Ground & Surface Requirements
The surface on which your container is to be placed must be able to support the weight of the unit. A fully loaded 20ft container can weigh up to 24,000 kg. Please note the following:
Recommended Surfaces
- Concrete or tarmac — Ideal. Firm, level, and capable of supporting the container's weight
- Compacted hardcore or gravel — Suitable if well-compacted and reasonably level
- Level firm ground with railway sleepers — A popular and effective solution for placing containers on grass or earth, providing spread load support under each corner
- Steel or concrete pads under corner castings — Recommended for permanent installations
Surfaces to Avoid
- Soft, waterlogged, or uneven ground — May cause the container to sink, tilt, or rack (causing doors to jam)
- Loose gravel or sand without compaction — Insufficient bearing capacity
- Slopes exceeding approximately 2 degrees — May cause door alignment issues
- Ground with underground utilities directly below — Risk of collapse under load
Pro tip: Containers sit on their four corner castings, not their full base. You only need to support the four corners. Placing a railway sleeper (or concrete pad) under each corner is a cost-effective way to ensure level, stable placement on almost any surface.
07
On Delivery Day
Here is exactly what to expect on the day your container is delivered:
1
Driver Contact
Your assigned driver will call you on the morning of delivery (or the evening before) to confirm an estimated arrival time window. Please ensure the mobile number provided at ordering is available.
2
Site Attendance
We strongly recommend that you or a nominated representative is present at the delivery address to direct the driver and confirm the exact placement position. Final placement cannot be adjusted after the driver departs without an additional charge.
3
Delivery & Placement
Our driver will position the lorry and carefully deliver the container using the agreed method. For tilt-bed deliveries, the whole process typically takes 20–40 minutes. HIAB deliveries may take longer depending on complexity.
4
Condition Inspection
Before signing the delivery note, please inspect the container carefully for any damage or discrepancies against your order. Note any issues on the delivery note in writing before the driver departs. Once the driver leaves and the delivery note is signed without exception, it is difficult to raise retrospective damage claims.
5
Sign & Confirm
Sign the delivery note to confirm receipt. You will receive a copy by email as proof of delivery. If you have any concerns after the driver departs, contact our customer service team immediately at delivery@containexpro.co.uk.
Delivery time windows are AM (8am–1pm) or PM (1pm–6pm). We cannot guarantee specific timed deliveries unless an express timed slot has been booked and confirmed in writing at an additional charge.
08
Self-Collection
Customers are welcome to collect their container directly from one of our depots if they have their own suitable transport — this will save you the delivery charge entirely.
Collection Requirements
- Collection must be arranged in advance with our depot team — we do not accept unannounced collections
- You must bring a suitable skeletal or flatbed trailer capable of carrying the container's weight
- Containers must be properly secured and twist-locked to your trailer before leaving the depot
- The driver collecting the container must hold a valid HGV licence appropriate for the vehicle and load
- You are responsible for ensuring compliance with all road transport regulations including weight limits, securing loads, and any required permits
- Containex Pro accepts no liability for any incident that occurs after the container leaves our premises
To arrange a collection, please call our depot team or email depot@containexpro.co.uk with your order reference, preferred date, and vehicle details.
09
Modified Container Delivery
Containers that have undergone modifications at our workshop follow a slightly different delivery process:
- Delivery is scheduled only after all modification works are fully completed and quality-checked by our workshop team
- You will be notified by email or telephone when your modified container is ready for delivery and a confirmed delivery date will be agreed
- For bespoke conversions (offices, homes, studios, retail units), we strongly recommend an in-person or video inspection at the depot before delivery to confirm you are fully satisfied with the finished specification
- Any final snagging items identified at inspection will be completed before dispatch — we will not deliver a conversion you are not happy with
- Delivery of modified containers uses the same tilt-bed or HIAB methods as standard containers — access requirements are identical
10
Failed or Refused Deliveries
We understand that circumstances sometimes change, but it is important that you understand the following policies regarding failed and refused deliveries:
Abortive Delivery Charge
An abortive delivery charge will apply in the following circumstances:
- The driver arrives at the site and access is insufficient or unavailable for reasons not disclosed at the time of ordering
- No one is present at the delivery address and no prior arrangement was made for an unattended delivery
- The site is not ready (e.g. the preparation area is blocked or incomplete)
- The delivery is refused by the customer on the day without prior notice
The abortive delivery charge reflects the cost of the driver's time and fuel and will be quoted based on the delivery zone. A new delivery will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time following payment of the abortive charge and the re-delivery charge.
Cancellation Before Dispatch
If you need to postpone or cancel a delivery, please contact us as early as possible and no later than 3pm on the working day before the scheduled delivery date. Cancellations received before this deadline will not incur an abortive charge. Late cancellations may incur a fee at our discretion.
We always try to work with our customers pragmatically. If you have a genuine emergency that prevents a delivery, please call us as soon as possible — we will do our best to accommodate you without penalty.
11
Damage on Delivery
While we take every care to deliver your container in the condition described and agreed, we understand that concerns can arise. Please follow this process if you believe your container has arrived in a condition that does not match your order:
1
Inspect Before Signing
Carefully inspect the container before signing the delivery note. Check all doors, seals, walls, roof, and floor against the specification you ordered.
2
Note on the Delivery Document
If you identify any damage or discrepancy, write a clear description of the issue on the delivery note before the driver departs. Photograph the issue immediately.
3
Contact Us Within 24 Hours
Email delivery@containexpro.co.uk within 24 hours of delivery with your order number, photographs, and a description of the issue. Damage claims reported after 24 hours or without a noted exception on the delivery document may be more difficult to process.
4
We'll Make It Right
Our team will review your claim within 2 working days and propose a resolution — which may include repair, replacement, or a partial credit, depending on the nature of the issue. We stand fully behind the quality of every container we deliver.
Please note that cosmetic surface rust, minor dents, and paint variations are inherent characteristics of used and WWT containers and do not constitute damage unless they were specifically excluded in your purchase description. New and one-trip containers are held to a higher cosmetic standard.
12
Delivery Queries & Contact
Our logistics team is available Monday to Friday, 8am–5:30pm to answer any delivery-related questions. Please quote your order reference number in all communications.