Guide to Lead Times for Shipping Containers

Jane on August 6, 2025

Container being delivered by HIAB lorry

Last Updated on August 6, 2025

One of the first questions we are asked is, ‘How soon can I have my container delivered?’ – and rightly so! There are several factors that will affect the timing of a shipping container delivery, including the availability of shipping containers, the weather, site access, and many more, all of which will be discussed in this article.

Container size and condition

Availability of empty shipping containers for storage varies depending on the size and whether new or used is required. For standard containers, the lead time is generally around 5-10 working days, although we require the full payment of the invoice before this. 20ft containers tend to be readily available, so these may be delivered sooner than other sizes.

If a customer requires a container in a more unusual size, such as a 10ft unit, we will give a longer lead time, as this is not a standard size and it will need to be remanufactured from a 20ft unit. This can add a further one to two weeks to the lead time. Converted shipping containers will also have a longer lead time as these are bespoke and built to order.

Supplies of second-hand containers may not be so readily available, so this can also add to the lead time; however, we will update you at the time of ordering if this is the case.

Haulier availability and access considerations

As we sub-contract our haulage, delivery time will depend on how busy the haulier is and the availability of their delivery vehicles.

Any issues with the accessibility and suitability of your site may also delay delivery. The ground must be solid, preferably concrete, with no overhanging trees or overhead cables and no drains in the area where the vehicle will be driving or offloading. If there are any potential obstacles, we will request photos, measurements and the full address, so our hauliers can look on Google Maps to assess the site. A site survey may be necessary to assess it visually prior to arranging delivery. This will incur an extra cost. Not all sites or access routes are suitable for having a container delivered.

As a general rule, we will not deliver a container over grass. Exceptions can be made to this rule in certain circumstances, but the driver will ultimately have the final decision.

A container must NOT be offloaded under high-powered cables or pylons, as there must be at least 28 metres of clearance from ground level to deem it safe to offload.

Weather conditions and traffic jams

Other delivery delays might be due to bad weather (container depots will not lift containers onto a vehicle in high winds, for health and safety reasons), traffic jams or road closures. In the Suffolk area, the Orwell Bridge has been closed periodically, so this may affect your delivery date/lead time.

Seasonal surges or disruptions can also affect delivery arrangements.

Our order process

  1. Once we have received your initial enquiry, we will send a quote to you via email, along with our frequently asked questions. These include tips about what we can and cannot do regarding deliveries and site access.
  2. You place your order, highlighting any problems you think there might be regarding your site.
  3. If we cannot allay your concerns easily with a conversation, we will ask you for photos and measurements of your site with the full address. Our haulier will then check the site and if they are happy to go ahead, we will raise your invoice and sales/hire paperwork and email this across to you. (If you have not highlighted any potential problems, we will take this as your confirmation that your site is suitable for delivery.)
  4. You will then make your full payment of the invoice.
  5. The container will be allocated, any accessories sent out for delivery, and the delivery date arranged with yourselves and the haulier.
  6. We will let you know a rough ETA the afternoon before delivery.
  7. After delivery, we will give you a call or email to see how your delivery went and if you are happy with your container.
  8. We will then ask for a review to help future customers decide that we are a reliable, efficient company to deal with.

How you can help us

There are a few things you can do to potentially speed up your delivery.

  1. Ensure your site is suitable for delivery.
  2. Remove any obstacles before the day of delivery to make access as easy as possible.
  3. Being flexible with delivery times helps no end, as traffic and depot issues can inevitably hamper fixed delivery times. Please note that we do charge extra for a time window; however, we cannot fully guarantee any specific times. Our delivery drivers will deliver between 7am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday only.
  4. Giving us plenty of notice when ordering a container really helps us to plan stocks and deliveries more easily.

How we can help you

As a company, we will not promise anything we are not able to provide for you. We give realistic time frames for standard containers, cut-down units, repaints and conversions and will always update you if any changes occur. We will always offer alternatives if delays occur that are out of our control.

So if you are looking to expand your storage areas at home or at work, look no further. We are a family-run business with a wealth of experience and knowledge about containers and can advise you on the size of container you might need, and provide you with very reasonable prices to purchase or hire. Get a quote or telephone us on 0800 121 7388.

We are always here to help and make your container purchase or hire as simple as possible.

We look forward to hearing from you for a quote, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have about containers.