A one trip 40ft reefer container is a near-new 40ft high cube refrigerated container that has made just one loaded voyage. With around 67 m³ of temperature-controlled space and machinery that has barely started its working life, it is a serious cold store you can place almost anywhere with a suitable power supply. Prime Cargo Box sells this one trip 40ft reefer container fully working, wind and watertight and CSC plated.
It is the size most food exporters, distributors and large farms choose. Below is the specification, how the system works, power and site requirements and how to get the most from it.
What Is a One Trip 40ft Reefer Container?
Refrigerated containers are built in specialist factories and usually carry chilled or frozen cargo on their first voyage. After unloading, some are sold rather than kept in the fleet. Having carried one load, they are known as one trip.
This unit is a high cube, standing 9 ft 6 in tall, which is the standard height for 40ft reefers today. The extra height gives more internal room after the thick insulation and floor are fitted. A one trip 40ft reefer container combines that space with near-new machinery, an unmarked lining and fresh door seals.
One Trip 40ft Reefer Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 40ft high cube refrigerated container (40′ RH) |
| Condition | One trip, near new, refrigeration unit fully working |
| External length | 40 ft (12.19 m) |
| External width | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| External height | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Internal length | Approx. 38 ft (11.58 to 11.60 m) |
| Internal width | Approx. 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 7 ft 11 in (2.40 to 2.43 m) |
| Door opening | Approx. 7 ft 6 in wide x 8 ft 4 in high (2.29 x 2.54 to 2.56 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 2,380 cu ft (67.5 m³) |
| Tare weight | Approx. 9,700 to 10,600 lbs (4,400 to 4,800 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Typically 32,500 to 34,000 kg, shown on the CSC plate |
| Temperature range | Typically -30 °C to +30 °C (-22 °F to +86 °F), depending on the machinery model |
| Power supply | Three-phase electrical supply, typically 380 to 460 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Construction | Stainless steel interior lining, polyurethane insulated walls, roof and floor |
| Floor | Aluminium T-bar floor for air circulation |
| Doors | Insulated double doors at one end |
| Certification | CSC safety approval plate |
Reefer dimensions and machinery vary by builder. We confirm the make, model, temperature range and ratings of your unit on the quote. Carriers publish similar figures, such as this Hapag-Lloyd 40ft reefer high cube specification.
How It Works
The refrigeration unit in the front wall pushes conditioned air down and along the slotted aluminium floor, up through the cargo and back along the ceiling to the unit. This bottom-air delivery keeps temperatures even through a full 12 m load. Polyurethane foam insulates the whole box, and the stainless lining is hygienic and easy to wash down. A digital controller sets the temperature and keeps a log. For more background, see this overview of the refrigerated container.
Why Choose One Trip?
The machinery is the most valuable part of any reefer. A one trip 40ft reefer container has a compressor, fans and controller with very few running hours, which means better efficiency and fewer breakdowns than a used unit that has spent years at sea. You still save compared with a factory-new reefer, and the lining, insulation and door seals are in near-new condition.
Who Uses It
Customers buy a one trip 40ft reefer container for:
- Exporting chilled or frozen produce, meat, fish and dairy
- Farm and packhouse cold storage during harvest
- Food distributors and wholesalers needing extra capacity
- Supermarkets and large kitchens for overflow storage
- Events, festivals and temporary sites
Power Requirements for a One Trip 40ft Reefer Container
A container reefer runs on three-phase power, typically 380 to 460 V at 50 or 60 Hz, through a standard reefer plug. Check that your site has a suitable supply near the container, or plan for an electrician or a correctly sized generator. Running costs depend on the set temperature, climate, door openings and how warm the cargo is when loaded.
Loading for Best Results
Load goods pre-chilled or pre-frozen; reefers hold temperature rather than rapidly cooling warm cargo. Stack on the T-bar floor without blocking the air channels, leave space under the ceiling and at the door end for return air, and keep the unit’s outlets clear. Open the doors briefly and use a strip curtain if they will be opened often.
Running Costs
Near-new machinery runs more efficiently, so a one trip 40ft reefer container generally costs less to run than an older unit doing the same job. Shade, a simple canopy, short door openings, pre-chilled loading and a clean condenser coil all reduce power use further. An electrician can meter the unit on site for exact figures.
Setting Up a Cold Store
Many buyers use a one trip 40ft reefer container as a permanent walk-in cold room. A few simple additions make it easier to work with every day: a strip curtain or air curtain inside the doors to limit warm air coming in, a ramp so pallet trucks can roll in over the door sill, internal lighting, and a temperature alarm that texts staff if the box drifts out of range. Placing the container under a canopy or in the shade of a building reduces the load on the machinery in hot climates.
If you need two temperatures, for example a chiller and a freezer, two smaller containers or a reefer fitted with a partition may suit better than one large box set to a compromise temperature.
Using It for Export
With a valid CSC plate and near-new machinery, it is ready to ship chilled or frozen cargo. Give your forwarder the container number, tare weight and required set temperature, pre-cool the box before loading and record the set point on the shipping documents.
Compare Options
For a lower price, see the used 40ft reefer container. For a smaller footprint, the one trip 20ft reefer container holds about 28 m³. You can also see our 40ft refrigerated shipping container and the full refrigerated containers for sale range.
What to Ask Before Buying
Ask any supplier for the manufacture date on the CSC plate, the machinery make and model, and a recent test or pre-trip inspection (PTI) report showing the unit pulls down to temperature. On a one trip 40ft reefer container the manufacture date should be recent and the lining unmarked. We include these details with every quote.
Site and Delivery
A 40ft high cube needs a long, straight truck approach, firm ground and height clearance on the route. On site, prepare a level base about 12.5 m by 2.5 m, ideally shaded, with space to open the doors and clear airflow around the refrigeration unit. Our shipping and delivery policy explains how delivery is quoted.
Maintenance
Keep the condenser coil clean, check door seals regularly, clear the floor drains and have a refrigeration technician service the machinery about once a year. Keep temperature logs if you store food or medicine, as many regulations require them. Most controllers record a log that a technician can download for your records.
How to Order a One Trip 40ft Reefer Container
- Send your details. Quantity, location, temperature needed and power supply.
- Review the unit. We share machinery details and condition.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Connect and test. Plug in on delivery and confirm it reaches temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a one trip 40ft reefer container a high cube?
Yes. It is 9 ft 6 in tall, the standard height for modern 40ft reefers, which gives about 2.4 m of internal height after insulation.
What temperature range does a one trip 40ft reefer container cover?
Typically -30 °C to +30 °C, depending on the machinery model. That covers fresh produce, dairy and flowers at the warmer end and frozen meat or fish at the colder end. We confirm the exact range of your unit before you buy.
What power does it need?
A three-phase supply, usually 380 to 460 V at 50 or 60 Hz, or a correctly sized generator. It will not run on a single-phase household socket.
How many pallets fit in a one trip 40ft reefer container?
Around 20 to 23 standard pallets on the floor, depending on pallet size and how they are arranged. Leave space at the door end and under the ceiling for air to return to the unit.
Do you deliver worldwide?
Yes. Contact Prime Cargo Box for a delivered price on a one trip 40ft reefer container. Tell us your location, the temperature you need and the power available on site.
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