A used 40ft reefer container gives you around 67 m³ of temperature-controlled space at a used price. This is a 40ft high cube refrigerated container retired from shipping service and sold with its refrigeration unit in full working order. Connect it to a suitable three-phase supply, set the temperature and it works as a large walk-in chiller or freezer. Prime Cargo Box sells every used 40ft reefer container fully working and wind and watertight.
For farms, food businesses and distributors that need big cold storage capacity without building a cold room, it is one of the most cost-effective options available. Here is the specification, how it works, what to expect from a used unit and what to check.
Why Buy a Used 40ft Reefer Container?
Building a cold store takes time, planning and a large budget. A used 40ft reefer container arrives ready to run, can be moved if your needs change, and costs a fraction of a new reefer or a built cold room. It holds roughly 20 to 23 pallets, enough for harvest storage, wholesale stock or event catering on a large scale.
Used reefers have spent years at sea, so they show wear on the outside and inside, but the insulation, machinery and seals are what matter, and those are checked before sale.
Used 40ft Reefer Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 40ft high cube refrigerated container (40′ RH) |
| Condition | Used, refrigeration unit fully working, wind and watertight |
| 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 | Shown on the data plate, typically 32,500 to 34,000 kg |
| 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, insulated walls, roof and floor |
| Floor | Aluminium T-bar floor for air circulation |
| Doors | Insulated double doors at one end |
Reefer sizes and machinery vary by builder and year. We confirm the make, model, temperature range and power rating of your unit when we quote. Carriers publish comparable figures, such as this Hapag-Lloyd 40ft reefer high cube specification.
How a Reefer Works
The refrigeration unit in the front wall sends conditioned air under the cargo through the slotted aluminium floor. It rises through the load and returns along the ceiling, keeping an even temperature through the full length. Thick polyurethane insulation keeps heat out, and the stainless lining is easy to clean. The controller sets the temperature and logs readings. For more detail, see this overview of the refrigerated container.
What Fully Working Means
A fully working used 40ft reefer container has machinery that runs, cools and holds a set temperature. It is not a non-working insulated box sold for dry storage. Ask us for the machinery make and model and any recent test or pre-trip inspection (PTI) report on the unit you are buying.
What to Expect From a Used Unit
- Outside: dents, faded paint and old shipping line markings
- Lining: marks and scuffs from years of loading, but no splits
- Floor: T-bar floor intact, possibly with minor dents
- Seals: close and seal; worn seals are replaced
- Machinery: runs and cools, with age-related wear on panels
Checking a Used 40ft Reefer Container
Start the unit and let it run: it should pull the box down towards the set point steadily without alarms. Check the controller for stored fault codes. Inside, look for splits or holes in the lining, which let moisture into the insulation. Close the doors and check for light around the seals. Check the T-bar floor and clear the drains at the door end. Dents and scuffs are normal; a unit that won’t hold temperature is not, and we don’t sell those as working.
Power Requirements
A used 40ft reefer container needs three-phase power, typically 380 to 460 V at 50 or 60 Hz, through a standard reefer plug. Make sure there is a suitable supply near the container or plan for an electrician or a correctly sized generator. Running costs depend on set temperature, climate, door use and how warm goods are when loaded. Older machinery can use more power than near-new units, so shade and good loading habits matter.
Running Costs and Efficiency
How much a used 40ft reefer container costs to run depends heavily on the set temperature and climate. A chiller at +2 °C in a cool climate uses a fraction of the power of a freezer at -25 °C in a hot one. Older machinery tends to work harder than near-new units, so good habits make a bigger difference: keep the container shaded, keep the condenser coil clean, replace worn door seals promptly, load goods already at temperature and keep door openings short. A temperature alarm that alerts staff if the box drifts out of range is a sensible addition for anyone storing valuable stock.
Who Buys a Used 40ft Reefer Container?
- Farms and packhouses storing produce through harvest
- Meat, fish and dairy processors needing chilled or frozen space
- Food wholesalers and distributors with seasonal peaks
- Event caterers and festivals
- Businesses using it as a dry, insulated store when power isn’t needed
Getting the Best From It
Load goods pre-chilled or pre-frozen. 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. Keep door openings short and fit a strip curtain if they will be opened often. Placing the container in shade or under a canopy cuts the load on the machinery.
What Affects the Price?
The age and make of the refrigeration machinery has the biggest effect on the price of a used 40ft reefer container, followed by the condition of the lining and insulation, the seals and whether the box is cargo worthy. Market supply also plays a part, as shipping lines retire reefers in batches. Delivery is quoted separately and depends on distance and the truck needed for a high cube.
Used or One Trip?
For near-new machinery and lower running costs, see the one trip 40ft reefer container. For a smaller unit, the used 20ft reefer container holds about 28 m³. Our 40ft refrigerated shipping container and the full refrigerated containers for sale page show every option.
Site and Delivery
A 40ft high cube needs a long, straight truck approach, firm ground and height clearance. Prepare a level base about 12.5 m by 2.5 m, ideally shaded, with room to open the doors and clear airflow around the unit. Our shipping and delivery policy explains how delivery is quoted.
Maintenance
Keep the condenser coil clean, check and replace door seals when worn, clear the floor drains and have a refrigeration technician service the machinery at least once a year. Keep temperature logs if you store food or medicine, as many regulations require them, and most controllers store a log a technician can download.
How to Buy a Used 40ft Reefer Container
- Request a quote. 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 used 40ft reefer container a high cube?
Yes. It is 9 ft 6 in tall, the standard height for 40ft reefers, giving about 2.4 m of internal height after insulation.
What temperature can a used 40ft reefer container reach?
Typically -30 °C to +30 °C, depending on the machinery model. We confirm the range of the actual unit before you buy, so you know it suits your products, whether that is chilled produce or frozen meat and fish.
Can a used 40ft reefer container run on household power?
No. It needs a three-phase supply, typically 380 to 460 V at 50 or 60 Hz, or a correctly sized generator. Check your supply before delivery.
Can I ship goods in a used 40ft reefer container?
Only if it is cargo worthy with a valid CSC plate. Ask for that grade when you order.
Do you deliver worldwide?
Yes. Contact Prime Cargo Box for a delivered price. Tell us your location, the temperature you need and the power available on site.
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