FAQ – Industrial Containers SA
Frequently Asked Questions on Shipping Containers
Delivery is booked at the time of order and the container tends to be delivered on a HIAB (a lorry with a crane on the back) which will lift the container to the ground where required. Sometimes a container will be delivered on an articulate trailer without a crane and the receiver will need to arrange for the container to be lifted to the ground, e.g. with a forklift truck. This should be clarified at the time of order.
Yes. We deliver to all provinces in South Africa, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Mbombela, Polokwane, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Johannesburg, . We also deliver to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Eswatini, Lesotho, Windhoek, Gaborone, Harare, Maputo, Mbabane, and Maseru.
Shipping containers are categorised as temporary relocatable buildings and for many applications they do not need planning permission. However, if they are to be placed in a sensitive area or are to be in location long-term then planning permission may be required. Planning authorities always say that it is best to enquire if permission is required.
Delivery of shipping containers are 3-5 working days from confirmation of order subject to availability. Delivery of container conversions are 3-5 working days from completion of manufacture.
When ordering a shipping container, we will ask if there are any restrictions on site that may hinder the delivery of the container. For example if there are any obstructions regarding access of the HIAB, and if there are any overhead cables. The location of the site for the container, delivery cannot be over grass, unless it is agreed prior. In special cases we can arrange for the haulier to do a site visit (subject to cost), you can also send us some photos of the access that we can forward onto the haulier to check over.
Yes, you can arrange to collect your shipping container. When enquiring specify that you are able to collect, and we will arrange with the depot for you to collect the container.
Yes, we have a wealth of experience in modifying containers for many uses including offices, mess-cabins, control rooms, offshore use, stores and many bespoke applications. We can readily supply containers with basic modifications – such as unusual sizes, windows fitted, partitions, personnel doors etc. nationally. More unusual or bespoke modifications are carried out across our various container conversion depots throughout South Africa
We can provide you with a competitive price evaluation for containers that have been converted and that you would like to sell. We would require photos of the unit, both internally and externally, to see what condition the conversion is in.
With container conversions, we manufacture to your specification. We can cut down containers to your required size and can also build bespoke containers sizes.
We cannot put a definitive timescale on container conversions as all conversions are different. We can provide a timescale after our container conversion team have seen what the project entails. We will check stock availability and manufacturing time to provide you with a manufactured date for your project.
Any metal surface that is exposed to temperature variations will inevitably suffer from condensation but there are ways to mitigate against this. Empirical evidence shows that he corrugated construction of modern containers (compared with flat roofs of the early containers) helps prevent condensation and no doubt the paint used also helps. The roof of a new container is slightly bowed to give an upward arc so that external water does not lie on the roof. Where water lies on the roof of a container it lowers the temperature of the metal and causes condensation on the opposite side of the steel. Condensation is more likely to occur on used containers that have roof dents where water gathers. Condensation is more likely to occur when a container is sat on cold, damp ground such as exposed soil or a flooded area; the cold from the earth permeates the container above and reduces the temperature thus causing condensation. All air has moisture in it and it is this that condenses when the temperature drops so reducing the amount of moisture in the air inside a container will prevent condensation; this can be done by ensuring items are only placed in a container on a dry day if possible; a container can be vented on a dry day by opening the doors to allow damp air to circulate out of the container and be reduced by dryer air. Also, an item called Absorpole can be placed inside a container to absorb moisture from the air over a period of time.
Shipping containers require relatively little maintenance. A new shipping container going straight into a secure storage use will require hardly any maintenance at all and this is why we recommend buying a new one. The steel work will barely deteriorate because the steel is of high quality and the paint work is excellent; you can realistically expect a 50-year life of a new container used for storage. The door hinges and locking bars may require oiling every couple of years but that takes only ten minutes. The door seals will deteriorate but they will last at least ten years depending on conditions and probably over twice as long as that. Used containers require the same attention to the doors and also there may be small dents or corroded areas that may need repainting from time to time and possibly even a patch welded on. Painting a shipping container to maintain appearance is quite straight forward but does not need to be done often.
Yes, very. Shipping containers are made for transporting goods across the oceans – often on decks of ships. They have heavy duty rubber door seals which keep out the elements. Used shipping containers sold into the storage and the re-use market can have damaged door seals or damage to the steel roof or sides but most companies selling used containers will ensure that they are inspected and repaired before they are delivered or released. There are low-grade containers around which have usually been sold and used before and then sold on again. These containers will often be at least 15 to 20 years old and whilst some of this age can be in very good condition there is a risk that there may be corrosion or damage to doors, sides, roof etc. It is a case of ‘let the buyer beware’ and ‘you get what you pay for’. There is a strong market for new and used shipping containers so expect to pay a fair market price for a good wind and watertight container.
It is best to site a container on a dry level surface such as concrete, tarmac or paving but this is not always possible. It follows that a damp, soft and uneven surface is the worst type of surface. It is most important that the surface is level so that the doors open and close correctly. The weight of a shipping container is borne through its corners and therefore spacers such as paving stones or timbers can be placed under the corners to level the container even on very uneven ground where different numbers of paving stones or timbers can be used for each corner. Shipping containers are very versatile and are of very strong construction and will sit satisfactorily even on non-ideal surfaces such as grass for many years.
Shipping containers can be painted externally and internally, if you require a particular colour we can respray to the needed RAL code, ask our sales team for a quote to respray your container.
Container 101 – Basic Container Questions
There are a number of ways of quoting a shipping container weight. The Tare Weight is the weight of a container without contents and the Gross Weight is the weight of the container including the maximum weight of contents (Gross Weight = Tare Weight + weight of contents). Typical Tare Weights (weight empty) are 20ft – 2.5 tonnes, 30ft – 3.0 tonnes, 40ft – 4.0 tonnes (approx.). Typical Gross Weights (weight empty + contents) are 20ft – 30,480kg, 40ft – 30,480kg.
Shipping containers are invariably made of steel – high quality Corten steel – and have a hardwood floor. However, there are variations including aluminium ones.
Shipping containers are the big steel boxes that sit on the back of lorries, trains and ships and are used for importing and exporting goods. They are well designed, built to last a long time and offer an alternative use for short-term and long-term storage and they are very secure. They can also be converted for a wide variety of uses including offices, cabins, mess-rooms, control rooms, sports changing rooms etc. etc. Standard shipping containers are usually 8ft wide by 8ft 6ins high by 20ft or 40ft long (though there are variations). ‘Steel’ containers (as opposed to ‘shipping’ containers) can also be different sizes such as 10ft, 12ft or 30ft and are often formed by cutting down a shipping container to suit. There are 20ft steel containers around that are not suitable for shipping and are generally of a lower quality. Shipping containers meet a specific design and build standard which means they can be used for shipping. They are also known as ISO (International Standards Organisation) containers.
Shipping containers are invariably made of steel – high quality Corten steel – and have a hardwood floor. However, there are variations, for example aluminium containers.
Shipping containers – especially more recent ones which are of high manufactured quality – are very robust and well over-specified for use as storage. Storage is unlikely to submit a shipping container to the rigours of sea transport with cargo. A new shipping container put directly into storage use could be expected to last up to 50 years. Obviously, this depends on many factors such as the type of use they are put to or if the original structure or paint work has been disturbed as a result of modifications. A used container will last less time because it will already have had a life at sea and in transport but they will still give very good service and there is no reason why a good standard used container cannot last 20 years. Life expectancy of a used container will depend mainly on the condition of the doors and the roof.
Originally a shipping container was designed to ship goods across the world which is still one of the major uses today. However, over time this has evolved and containers are being used for various applications and industries including self storage for personal and business use, on-site storage for the construction sector and many others. Containers are also becoming a recognised option in the retail, catering and hospitality sectors to be converted into offices, retail units and pop up catering stalls. Bespoke shipping containers can be converted for a wide variety of uses, and our container conversion team can help you.
Shipping containers can be stacked using a piece of equipment called twist locks. To stack, 1 twist lock will need to be installed in each corner cast and then the next container lowered on top and once in place, the twist lock is then securely locked.
Shipping containers are made secure by fitting a lock to the doors. There are a number of ways to do this; the simplest is to put a padlock through the customs tag hole in the right hand door handle. This is fine if all you require is a preventative measure to stop anyone wandering in or accessing easily but a lock fitted this way is easily knocked off with a sharp blow of a hammer which breaks the weld of the tab that the lock fits through. For better security it is best to fit a steel hasp (also known as a locking box) across the join in the two doors at about chest height. A hasp is basically a steel shroud that covers a lock and makes it difficult to tamper with. A universal locking box will accommodate most types of padlock but it is also possible to fit a specific locking box to fit some locks only. Typical makes and types of lock used are No.16 Mul T Lock and a CISA bolt lock. These aren’t cheap but they are the best for the job and are very secure. With one of these types of lock fitted a container can only be broken into with heavy duty equipment such as burning or grinding gear and then it will take time and make a lot of noise.
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Container Sales Questions
Yes, we do. When we quote a buy-back price we consider transport costs and the amount of time the container will be in storage with us before re-sale. There are occasions when we are unable to buy-back due to location, i.e. it may be too far for it to be viable to take the container back to one of our depots.
We work hard to understand your needs and supply you with the container you are looking for. Some people want a basic container at a low price for short-term or a specific use and others require a container to last them for many years. We have many years’ experience in sourcing and delivering containers to meet our customers’ requirements. We can also design a container for an application which could be industrial or domestic. In addition, we give good customer service (that’s what feedback tells us) and we are flexible on payment terms when we can be and we respond to after sales issues that may arise.
We sell standard shipping container sizes, but if you need a more bespoke size we can cut down to the required size. We can cut down new ‘one trip’ shipping containers and used containers, when we cut down, we fit either a new blank end to the rear or a new set of double doors to the front.
When purchasing multiple shipping containers, we will provide a competitive quotation for the units. Our prices are competitive throughout the container industry, you will save some cost with the delivery of the containers as we will deliver 2 containers at a time, also if you are able to offload on site, we can deliver the shipping container on a flatbed lorry, please specify this at the enquiry stage.
When buying a container from us we do offer a guarantee, with used shipping containers we offer a 1-year wind and watertight guarantee and on new ‘one trip’ shipping containers we offer a 2-year wind and watertight guarantee. Also, please get in touch if you are experiencing any issues.
Once you have confirmed your container order with our sales team, we will raise a proforma invoice that will be sent to the contact provided, this will include our bank details for a BACS payment. We can also take payment over the phone/whatsapp as well as you can place an order on the container you want and pay directly via EFT or with a debit card.
Questions on our Container Hire
We have a 4-week minimum hire period; we charge for a month upfront plus a delivery charge which will depend on the delivery location.
We have hire containers throughout the South Africa. However, they are subject to availability across our South African depots
Yes, you can hire more than one shipping container from us. If you require multiple hire containers, we can provide a hire quote suited to your requirements.
We do hire shipping containers on a long-term basis. We also will provide you with a cost to purchase a shipping container as depending on the length of time you are looking to hire, the cost to purchase may outweigh the hire cost. We will also offer a buy back for when you no longer need the container, we will provide a competitive price evaluation at the current market value of the container.
We have three sizes in our container hire fleet – 10ft shipping containers, 20ft shipping containers and 40ft shipping containers.