Refrigerated Containers for Sale or Hire: What You Should Know

Refrigerated Shipping Container: What to Look For 

Before you begin shopping for reefers, there are some things you should know. First, the refrigeration system takes up internal space. 

Shipping container sizes always refer to the external dimensions. If you’re used to regular containers, you’ll find you have less internal volume than you might expect in a 20ft or 40ft refrigerated shipping container. 

A high cube refrigerated container can counteract this, however, by adding an extra foot of height to the container. For a standard width 40 ft refrigerated shipping container, this adds up to an extra 320 cubic feet.

Secondly, refrigerated shipping containers will keep your goods cool or even frozen. However, for safe storage that will maintain a product’s quality for longer, you need to make sure the goods are at the correct temperature before you place them inside the reefer.

Finally, it’s even more important than usual to check the condition of your shipping container. Damaged containers can fail to keep goods at the right temperature, leading to spoilage and public health issues, as well as increased power usage. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to cross your fingers and hope that a refrigerated shipping container is in good condition. A trustworthy company will always provide up-to-date quality reports.

When selecting a refrigerated container, you may want to check it has:

- A Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI) report
- A Convection for Safe Containers (CSC) report (if necessary)
- T-shaped decking for a better distribution of cool air 
- An appropriate temperature range (our reefer containers can be set from -25°C to 20°C so that you can safely store anything from pharmaceuticals to frozen meat or ice cream)
- The ideal amount of storage space — remember that refrigerated shipping containers have less internal space!
- The right power supply (i.e. three-phase vs single-phase) for your needs

Should You Hire or Buy Your Refrigerated Container?

We’ve written an in-depth guide to the pros and cons of purchasing vs renting a shipping container. In most cases, however, it comes down to how long you need the container for and whether you want to adapt it, such as by adding your branding.

Renting is an excellent option if you need short-term temperature-controlled storage and don’t want to make major modifications to your container. On the other hand, if you want to make major changes, have it indefinitely or use it for international shipping, you might be better off purchasing your own refrigerated container.

Refrigerated Containers for Hire: What Are Your Options? 

Here at CBOX, we have refrigerated containers for hire with contracts starting from 90 days. Our longer-term leases range from 3–5 years, but we can also create a custom contract that will allow you to hire a refrigerated container for as long as required.

All our containers come with PTI reports. And with a range of reefer sizes, features and price points to choose from, you’ll be able to find the ideal container for your needs. 

Once you’ve selected your refrigerated shipping container, we’ll deliver it to you and help you set it up. You’ll pay a daily rental cost in addition to select fixed costs until the contract ends, at which point we’ll arrange the pickup. It’s that simple.

20ft and 40ft Refrigerated Container for Sale

Whether you’re looking for a used or new refrigerated container, we have plenty of refrigerated containers for sale in our catalogue. Our most popular choices are our 20ft and 40ft high cube reefers. 

Prices vary depending on the size, age, and condition of the container, but we’ll always provide you with the PTI and CSC reports. We can also deliver your new container within 48 hours.

Still have questions about hiring or buying a refrigerated shipping container? Our experts are here to help. Not only do we have a local office in Australia, but we have years of experience to draw on. We’ll talk you through the different options available to you, so you make the right investment for your business. Speak to us today.