A used 20ft reefer container is a refrigerated shipping container with its own built-in cooling unit, retired from shipping service and sold with the machinery in full working order. Plug it into a suitable power supply, set the temperature, and you have a walk-in chiller or freezer wherever you need it. Prime Cargo Box sells this used 20ft reefer container fully working, wind and watertight, at a fraction of the price of a new unit.
Reefers are more complex than dry containers, so it pays to understand what you are buying. Below is how a reefer works, the specification, the power it needs and what to check before delivery.
Why Buy a Used 20ft Reefer Container?
Cold storage is expensive to build. A used 20ft reefer container gives you an insulated, temperature-controlled room with no construction work, no planning for a cold store building and no long lead time. It arrives, it is plugged in and it starts cooling.
The 20ft size suits farms, butchers, restaurants, caterers, fishmongers, florists, pharmacies and event companies that need reliable cold storage without the footprint of a 40ft. Buying used keeps the cost down while giving you the same type of machinery used on ships worldwide.
Used 20ft Reefer Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 20ft refrigerated container (20′ RF) |
| Condition | Used, refrigeration unit fully working, wind and watertight |
| External length | 20 ft (6.06 m) |
| External width | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| External height | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Internal length | Approx. 17 ft 10 in (5.45 m) |
| Internal width | Approx. 7 ft 6 in (2.28 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 7 ft 1 in to 7 ft 5 in (2.16 to 2.26 m) |
| Door opening | Approx. 7 ft 6 in wide x 7 ft 5 in high (2.29 x 2.26 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 990 cu ft (28 m³) |
| Tare weight | Approx. 6,300 to 6,800 lbs (2,860 to 3,100 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Shown on the data plate, typically 30,480 to 32,000 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 with heavy seals |
Internal sizes are smaller than a dry 20ft because of the insulation and the refrigeration unit at the front end. Machinery makes and models vary, so we confirm the unit type, temperature range and power rating of the container you are buying. Carriers publish similar figures, such as this Hapag-Lloyd 20ft reefer specification.
How a Reefer Container Works
A reefer has a refrigeration unit built into the front wall. It blows chilled or heated air under the cargo through the slotted aluminium T-bar floor, up through the load and back to the unit along the ceiling. The walls, roof, floor and doors are insulated with polyurethane foam, and the inside is lined with stainless steel or aluminium for hygiene. A controller lets you set the temperature, and the unit keeps the box there by cooling or, where needed, heating. You can read more about the design of a refrigerated container and how it is used in cold chain logistics.
What Fully Working Means
A fully working used 20ft reefer container has refrigeration machinery that runs, cools and holds a set temperature. It is not a non-working insulated box sold for dry storage. Ask us for details of the specific unit, including the machinery make and model and any recent test or pre-trip inspection (PTI) report. Testing before dispatch gives you confidence that the container will pull down to temperature when it is connected on your site.
Power Requirements for a Used 20ft Reefer Container
Container reefers run on a three-phase supply, typically 380 to 460 volts at 50 or 60 Hz, through a standard reefer plug. Before delivery, check that your site has a suitable supply close to where the container will sit, or arrange an electrician or a generator. Power consumption depends on the set temperature, the outside climate, how often the doors are opened and how warm the cargo is when loaded. Keeping the container in the shade and loading pre-chilled goods both reduce running costs.
What to Expect From a Used Reefer
- Outside: dents, faded paint and old shipping line markings
- Inside: stainless steel lining with marks and scuffs from use
- Floor: T-bar floor intact, possibly with minor dents
- Doors and seals: close fully and seal; worn seals are replaced
- Machinery: running and cooling, with age-related wear on panels
Checking a Used 20ft Reefer Container
Whether you inspect it yourself or rely on our report, the checks on a used 20ft reefer container go further than on a dry box. Start the unit and let it run: it should pull the box down towards the set point steadily, without alarms. Look at the controller for stored fault codes. Inside, check the stainless lining for splits or holes, which let moisture into the insulation and reduce efficiency. Close the doors and look for light around the seals. Finally, check the T-bar floor is intact and the drains at the door end are clear.
Small dents and scuffs on the lining are normal on a used unit. Soft or swollen panels, torn seals that can’t be replaced, or a unit that won’t hold temperature are not acceptable, and we don’t sell units with those problems as working.
Who Buys a Used 20ft Reefer Container?
- Farms storing fruit, vegetables, dairy or meat
- Butchers, fishmongers and food processors
- Restaurants, caterers and events needing extra chiller or freezer space
- Florists and plant nurseries
- Pharmacies and clinics needing controlled storage (subject to local rules)
Getting the Best From It
Load goods pre-chilled or pre-frozen; a reefer is designed to hold temperature, not to cool warm produce quickly. Keep cargo off the floor’s air channels by stacking on the T-bars and leave space at the top and doors for air to return. Don’t block the unit’s air outlets with cargo. Open the doors as briefly as possible, and consider a strip curtain inside the doors if they will be opened often.
Running Costs
What a used 20ft reefer container costs to run depends on your climate, the set temperature and how it is used. A chiller at +2 °C in a mild climate uses much less power than a freezer at -25 °C in the heat. You can reduce costs by placing the container in the shade, adding a simple roof canopy, keeping door openings short, loading pre-chilled goods and keeping the condenser coil clean. If you need exact figures, an electrician can meter the unit once it is running on your site.
Used or One Trip?
For younger machinery and a longer service life, see the one trip 20ft reefer container. For more space, there is the used 40ft reefer container, or browse our full refrigerated containers for sale range, including the 20ft refrigerated shipping container.
Site and Delivery
Prepare a firm, level base about 6.5 m by 2.5 m, ideally in the shade, with room to open the doors and clear space around the refrigeration unit for airflow. A level container keeps the doors sealing and lets condensation drain properly. Our shipping and delivery policy explains how delivery is quoted.
Maintenance
Keep the condenser coil on the unit clean, check the door seals regularly, clear the floor drains, and have the machinery serviced by a refrigeration technician about once a year. Record temperatures if you store food or medicine, as many regulations require it.
How to Buy a Used 20ft Reefer Container
- Request a quote. Quantity, location, the temperature you need and your power supply.
- Review the unit. We share the machinery make and model and condition.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Connect and test. Plug in on delivery and confirm it pulls down to temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature can a used 20ft 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 goods.
Can a used 20ft reefer container run on normal household power?
No. It needs a three-phase supply, usually 380 to 460 V, or a suitable generator.
Is a used 20ft reefer container suitable for freezing?
Yes, most units can hold frozen temperatures. Load goods already frozen for best results.
Can a used 20ft reefer container be shipped with cargo?
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.
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