Essential FAQ
The answers to check first
The most useful questions before requesting a quote.
What types of containers do you offer?
We offer Dry, Reefer, Open Side, Open Top, Hard Top, Flat Rack, Insulated, Offshore and Fitted-out containers. Available in 10, 20 and 40 ft, new or used.
How do I get a quote?
Fill out our online quote form or contact us by phone at +33 9 78 45 18 90. You will receive a detailed quote within 24h.
Do you deliver throughout France?
Yes, we deliver throughout mainland France by crane truck. Delivery is made directly to your site, with no handling required on your part.
What is the delivery lead time?
The delivery time is generally 1 to 3 weeks after quote validation. It depends on the type of container, stock, delivery address and project constraints. This lead time is given for information purposes and confirmed in the quote.
Do you offer rental?
Yes, we offer short and long-term rental solutions. Contact our team for terms and conditions.
Can a container be customized?
Yes, RAL paint, additional doors, windows, insulation, electrification. Contact us for a custom quote.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the main payment methods, including bank transfer and credit card. PayPal is not offered and interest-free payment in 3 installments is not available.
I can't find the container I'm looking for, what should I do?
Send us your requirements via the quote form. Some availability changes quickly and our team can suggest a close alternative.
Price, quote and delivery
Container price, quote and delivery
Understand pricing, lead times and transport before ordering.
How much does a shipping container cost?
The price depends on the format, condition, options and transport. As a guide, a used 20 ft container starts from 1 000 €. The quote confirms the delivered price based on your address and the requested model.
What delivery time should I expect?
For most projects, allow for delivery within 1 to 3 weeks after quote validation. The lead time depends on the type of container, options, available stock, delivery address and access constraints. It is given for information purposes and confirmed in the quote.
Does the price include transport?
The quote specifies the price of the container, transport, access constraints and any handling equipment needed. This is essential because the delivered cost varies depending on distance, truck type, placement area and site constraints.
What is the lead time for a fitted-out container?
The lead time depends on the complexity of the fitting-out, the availability of the base unit and technical approvals. A simple delivery can stay within a range of 1 to 3 weeks, while a custom project may require more time. The schedule is always given for information purposes in the quote.
What delivery time can I expect for a Specific container?
The lead time depends on the specific container family, stock and project constraints. Available formats can be delivered within 1 to 3 weeks, while niche segments or special options may require more time. The lead time is given for information purposes and confirmed in the quote.
Installation and permits
Placement, access, safety and procedures
The points to check before placing a container on site.
Do I need a permit to install a container?
It depends on the duration, the surface area, the intended use and the Local Urban Plan. A temporary job-site placement is often simpler. A permanent installation may require a prior declaration of works or a building permit. The best approach is to check with the town hall before placing the container.
Do I need a concrete slab to place a container on a farm or in a quarry?
No, a slab is not required at all. The container just needs to rest on a flat, hard surface. In a field or a gravel pit, concrete blocks or large wooden chocks under the four corners are more than enough.
How much floor space is needed for a 20 ft container?
The container itself measures 6,06 m × 2,44 m. Allow about 15 meters of clearance in length for the maneuvering of the semi-trailer truck delivering it. Ideally, leave 1 meter of clearance all around the container to make access and movement easier.
Can a container be placed directly on a job-site plot?
Yes. A shipping container can be placed on any flat, stable ground. On soft ground, we recommend using sleepers or bearers to spread the load. No foundation is needed for a temporary installation.
Do I need to notify the town hall to install a container on a job site?
For an installation of less than 3 months on private property, no formalities are required. Beyond 3 months, a prior declaration of works is generally necessary. On public roads, a road occupancy permit from the local council is mandatory. We can help you with these administrative procedures.
How do I get a forklift or a pallet truck into the container?
A container's wooden floor is raised about 16 centimeters. To solve this, we supply very sturdy metal access ramps. Your handling staff can then drive straight inside.
Can the container be placed at exactly the same height as my loading dock?
Yes, this is entirely possible. The container can remain on its delivery trailer. It is backed up against your dock. We can also install it more permanently on specific concrete blocks.
How do I secure a container against theft on a job site?
Optimal protection combines several layers: a welded steel lock box on the doors, a hardened padlock, a standalone alarm with siren and motion detector, and, if possible, a surveillance camera. For very high-value tools, opt for ground anchoring with chains or concrete blocks.
Choosing the right container
Comparing container types
The differences between formats, openings, uses and configurations.
How do I choose between a 20 ft and a 40 ft container?
The choice depends on the weight/volume ratio of your goods. For heavy, dense products (machinery, minerals, liquids), choose the 20 ft: you reach the weight limit before filling the volume. For light, bulky products (textiles, furniture, appliances), the 40 ft optimizes space and reduces the cost per m³.
First-trip or Used: what's the difference?
First-trip = new unit, original paint, 28 mm marine wood floor. Used = unit with 8-12 years of service, acceptable aged paint, inspected seals. Savings of 30 to 50%.
Reefer or Insulated: what's the difference?
The Reefer has an integrated active cooling unit: it regulates its temperature (-25 to +25°C) continuously, connected to mains power or a generator. The Insulated container has no cooling unit; it retains a stable temperature through insulation, for short periods (intra-EU transport, buffer storage).
Open Top or Hard Top: what's the difference?
The Open Top has a roof made of reinforced polyester tarpaulin stretched over removable bows, quick disassembly in 30 minutes, lower purchase cost, adequate watertightness in moderate rain. The Hard Top has a roof made of galvanized steel panels removable by crane, Wind & Water Tight sealing equivalent to a Dry container, higher security, but a cost 20 to 30% higher and heavier disassembly.
Flat Rack or Platform: what's the difference?
The Flat Rack keeps its two end walls fixed to the chassis, they lash the load lengthwise and absorb the stacking forces. The piece must fit between the end walls (5,72 m on the 20', 12,19 m on the 40'). The Platform is a bare deck with no end walls or sides, 0,6 m outer height, the piece can overhang in length and width, but requires more logistics coordination and an oversized-load transport permit.
Double Door or Tridoor: what's the difference?
The Double Door has two 270° hinged door sets at both ends, a classic two-way tunnel. The Tridoor 20 PV adds a third side door for fast multi-flow sorting via direct access to the middle of the unit. Tridoor available in First-trip 20 ft only, made to order (4-8 weeks).
Pallet Wide or standard Dry?
Pallet Wide if palletized volume exceeds 50 units/year, regular European flows on EU pallets, light and bulky goods. Standard Dry for occasional needs, dense non-palletized loads, or exports outside Europe with a different pallet format. Always check the recipient's pallet format.
Which specific container for my goods?
The choice depends on the opening mode (roof for vertical OOG, Out Of Gauge, meaning outside the standard ISO envelope, side for cross-docking, double door for FIFO), the nature of the goods (bulk, ADR tank, ICPE retention tray, platform for concentrated load) or the dimension (Pallet Wide for 3 EU pallets front-on, Half-Height for dense loads).
What is a BULK container?
Container dedicated to intermodal transport of dry bulk materials (grain, pellets, powders, sand). Three roof hatches for gravity loading, discharge hopper or full tilting, dust-proof sealed interior lining. Standard 20 ft ISO frame.
What types of fit-out do you offer?
Site Bungalow (office, changing room, break room), Sanitary (toilets, showers, sinks), Snack (kitchen, mobile food service), Workshop (workshop, storage). All configurations are custom-built to your specifications.
Besoin d'une vue d'ensemble avant de choisir ?
Cold and temperature
Reefer, insulated containers and the cold chain
Useful questions for temperature-sensitive products.
What temperature range does a Reefer cover?
A Standard Reefer covers -25 °C to +25 °C. Super Freezer variants reach down to -70 °C for ultra-cold products: biological samples, vaccines or sensitive frozen goods.
Can containers be used as a freezer room?
Yes, absolutely. Our standard refrigerated containers can go down to -25°C. They reach down to -40°C for specific models (super freezer). They are perfect for storing pallets of frozen goods.
How do I clean the inside of a refrigerated container?
The inside of a Reefer container is made of stainless steel. The floor is shaped as an aluminum rail. You can wash it very easily with a high-pressure hose. Dirty water drains away quickly through drainage holes located in the corners.
Do I need a special socket to plug in a refrigerated container?
Yes. The powerful cooling unit motor requires an industrial power supply. It plugs into a 380V three-phase socket (32 Amps). This setup is very common in agri-food plants.
Can a Reefer container maintain +2°C to +8°C in all seasons?
Yes. Our containers' cooling units are sized to operate between -30°C and +50°C of outside temperature. They hold the set point to within ±0,5°C regardless of the season. Certified loggers generate continuous reports for your qualification file.
Questions by sector
Construction, industry, offshore, pharma, winemaking and other trades
Use cases that truly depend on the trade or the site.
Can a container be installed directly on an airport tarmac?
Yes. Our containers are self-contained and extremely heavy. This allows them to withstand the powerful jet blast from aircraft engines. They can be placed near runways to make line maintenance easier. Approval from the airport authorities is of course required.
Does the container really protect against dust from harvests or mining?
Yes. Dry shipping containers are designed to withstand the worst ocean storms. Their double doors are fitted with heavy rubber seals. Once closed, the box is completely watertight and dust-tight, even against very fine dust.
How do I secure military equipment inside a container?
We fit our military containers with steel lock boxes welded directly onto the structure, making forced entry impossible without heavy equipment. Armored doors and standalone alarm systems (solar or battery-powered) complete the setup for maximum security in the field.
Can containers be airdropped?
Lightweight aluminum containers can be parachuted in certain special configurations. Standard steel containers, on the other hand, are too heavy for this type of operation. For aerial drops, we recommend contacting our teams to study the solutions suited to your mission.
What is an SOC container and why buy one?
An SOC (Shipper Owned Container) is a container that you own, as opposed to a COC (Carrier Owned Container) leased from the shipping line. Owning your own container avoids demurrage fees (penalties for exceeding the return deadline to the shipping line), which can reach several hundred euros per day. This is particularly advantageous if you export regularly to distant destinations.
Can a standard container enter a controlled area?
Bringing any equipment into a controlled area is subject to the operator's approval. A container must be clean, documented and compliant with the site's Prevention Plan. We provide all the necessary documents (technical data sheets, material certificates) to make this process easier.
How do I manage a container that has been contaminated?
A contaminated container is subject to the operator's radioactive waste management procedures. Depending on the level of contamination, it may be decontaminated on site or directed to a waste stream in accordance with the applicable radiation protection rules.
Can a standard (non-DNV) container be used on an offshore platform?
No. Using a container without DNV certification for offshore lifting operations constitutes a serious violation of safety regulations. In the event of an accident, the criminal liability of the operator and the service provider is engaged. Any serious platform will systematically refuse containers without valid certification.
What should I do if the retention tray fails during chemical product storage?
Our retention trays are sized to 110% of the volume of the largest container stored, in accordance with regulations. In the event of a failure, absorbents suited to hydrocarbons should be available nearby. An accidental spill management plan is recommended for all oil sites.
Can lithium batteries be stored in a standard container?
No, storing lithium batteries in a standard container is not recommended. These batteries present specific thermal runaway risks. A fitted-out container is required, with temperature sensors, forced ventilation and approved fire-rated doors. Contact us for a suitable solution.
What signage should be displayed on a hazardous waste container?
Containers storing hazardous waste must display the approved ADR pictograms corresponding to the types of risk (toxic, flammable, corrosive, etc.). The waste's UN number and the name of the site manager must also be visible. We can apply this regulatory signage upon order.
Can a Reefer container be installed in an AOC area without impacting certification?
Installing a container has no direct impact on your AOC certification, as it concerns winemaking practices and the production area, not storage infrastructure. We nonetheless recommend informing your appellation's Defense and Management Body (ODG) to avoid any misunderstanding during an inspection, and checking local planning regulations if the container is visible from the public road.
Questions by location
Prices, lead times and constraints by city
Local answers are consolidated here to avoid repetition.
Which cities do you deliver containers to?
National Conteneur delivers throughout mainland France and to the main port, industrial, logistics and job-site areas. The local pages detail the constraints by city: Antwerp, Bordeaux, Brest, Caen, Dunkirk, La Rochelle, Le Havre, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Perpignan, Rennes, Strasbourg and Toulouse.
Do prices vary by city?
Yes. The model and condition of the container weigh the most in the price, but the delivery distance and the placement equipment needed can make the final price vary. This is why the quote must always be calculated with the delivery address.
Are lead times the same in all regions?
No. Lead times vary depending on depots, ports, logistics routes, the type of container and access constraints. For most projects, delivery is planned within 1 to 3 weeks. This lead time remains indicative and is confirmed in the quote.
Do planning rules differ between municipalities?
Yes. The rules depend on the Local Urban Plan, the installation duration, the surface area and the use. The same installation may be simple on a temporary job site and require a formality on private land or if visible from public space.
What formats are available locally?
The most requested standard formats are the 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft High Cube. Reefer, open top, flat rack, fitted-out or specific models depend more on stock and may require dedicated sourcing.
Can I request a used container in my city?
Yes, depending on available stock. The quote specifies the condition offered: first-trip, inspected used, or last-trip. For fixed storage, used is often the most sensible choice.