40ft Refrigerated Side Door Container — Used

A 40ft refrigerated container in used condition, with side door — in service and structurally sound. Chosen for temperature-controlled storage and transport. Every unit is inspected before it leaves our yard, so the grade below is what you will actually receive.

This used 40ft refrigerated shipping container has spent years doing exactly what a reefer is built for: keeping fresh produce cold in a working farm environment. It was used as a daily walk-in cooler and regularly serviced throughout its working life. The refrigeration system was replaced with a newer Thermo King unit around five years ago, giving the container a useful combination of proven service history and upgraded refrigeration equipment.

The container was unplugged in August of last year and was reported to be fully functional when disconnected. It requires three-phase electrical power for operation. A custom side access door also makes everyday use easier, particularly when the container is being used as a stationary cold room and you do not want to open the large cargo doors at the end.

40ft Refrigerated Container for Cold Storage

This reefer is particularly suited to businesses that need a substantial refrigerated space without constructing a permanent walk-in cooler. It has already been used successfully for produce storage, making it a natural fit for farms, food businesses, produce distributors, commercial kitchens and other operations that need additional cold-storage capacity.

Its previous use also gives prospective buyers useful information about the type of work the unit has been performing. Rather than being an unused container with an unknown history, this unit has a documented working history as a farm walk-in cooler and was maintained during its years of service.

Key Features

• 40ft refrigerated shipping container: Provides a large enclosed space for temperature-controlled storage.
• Thermo King refrigeration system: A newer used refrigeration unit was installed approximately five years ago.
• Custom side access door: Provides convenient everyday access without requiring the main cargo doors to be opened.
• Farm produce history: Previously operated as a walk-in cooler for produce on a working farm.
• Daily use: The unit was used regularly for approximately nine years.
• Three-phase power: The refrigeration system requires a three-phase electrical supply.
• Regular maintenance: The container and refrigeration equipment were serviced and maintained throughout their working life.
• Ready for relocation: The unit is currently on a storage lot and can be arranged for delivery to its next location.

A Practical Choice for Farm and Food Storage

For a farm or food business, refrigerated storage needs to be practical as well as reliable. Frequent access to produce through large cargo doors can be inconvenient, especially when the container is being used as a permanent walk-in cooler. The additional side door on this unit makes day-to-day access considerably easier.

The 40ft length also gives you enough room to organize pallets, crates, shelving or other storage equipment. The exact layout will depend on what you are storing and the airflow requirements of your refrigeration system, but the container provides a substantial amount of enclosed cold-storage space without requiring a purpose-built refrigerated room.

It can be considered for applications including:

• Fresh fruit and vegetable storage
• Farm produce and agricultural products
• Food and beverage storage
• Produce distribution
• Restaurant and catering supplies
• Commercial walk-in cold storage
• Seasonal refrigeration overflow
• Backup cold-storage capacity

Dimensions and Capacity

The internal dimensions are approximately 39'5" long × 7'8" wide × 7'10" high, providing around 2,390 cubic feet of internal volume. The exact internal dimensions can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and refrigeration equipment installed.

The container has the standard large cargo doors at one end, while the added side access door provides another practical entry point. If you plan to install shelving, pallet racking or other equipment, we recommend checking the available dimensions and allowing sufficient space for air circulation around stored goods.

Refrigeration System and Power Requirements

The refrigeration system is a Thermo King unit that was installed approximately five years ago. The container was used daily as a farm walk-in cooler and the refrigeration system was regularly serviced during its working life.

The unit was unplugged in August of last year and was reported to be fully functional when disconnected. It requires three-phase electrical power, so buyers should confirm that their intended installation site has a suitable electrical supply before arranging delivery.

Because refrigeration equipment is mechanical and operating requirements vary between sites, it is important to verify the available power supply, installation requirements and desired operating temperature before putting the container into service.

Used Condition

This is a used refrigerated container with a substantial service history. It has been used daily for approximately nine years as a walk-in cooler for farm produce and has been maintained throughout that period.

As with other used shipping containers, normal signs of previous use can include surface rust, dents, scratches, faded paint and previous owner markings. These cosmetic signs are expected on used equipment and should be considered when comparing the unit with a new reefer.

The container is described as wind and watertight, with an intact roof, functioning door seals and no holes through the main structure. The refrigeration system was reported to be working when the container was disconnected. Buyers should still confirm the equipment's current condition and electrical requirements before commissioning it at a new location.

Why the Side Door Matters

The custom side access door is one of the more useful features of this particular reefer. With a conventional container, accessing stored goods often means opening the large end doors. That is not always convenient when the unit is being used as a walk-in cooler at a farm, warehouse or food facility.

A dedicated side entrance allows staff to enter and retrieve goods without opening the full cargo opening. For a business making frequent trips into the cold room, that can make everyday operation much easier.

Conversion and Customization

Additional modifications can be discussed depending on how you intend to use the container. Options may include shelving, lighting, electrical work, additional access features or other practical changes.

It is usually more efficient to plan any required work before the container leaves the yard rather than arranging separate modifications after delivery. Tell us how you plan to use the refrigerated container and we can help determine what needs to be considered before dispatch.

For more options, browse our 40ft containers or explore the full container catalogue.

Standards and Inspection

If you intend to use the container for international transport, its current safety approval and certification should be confirmed before dispatch. The International Maritime Organization's information on the Convention for Safe Containers explains the international safety framework for freight containers.

Industry inspection practices are also relevant when evaluating used container equipment. The Institute of International Container Lessors provides information on container inspection and related industry standards.

If the intended use is international shipping rather than stationary cold storage, let us know before ordering so we can confirm the current plate and other requirements relevant to the intended transport.

Dimensions and capacity

Internal dimensions are approximately 39 ft 5 in × 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in (12,032 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm), giving 2,390 cu ft (67.7 m³) of usable space, with double doors at one end. These are the standard figures for a 40ft container; exact internals vary slightly by manufacturer.

Condition

This is a used container that has been in service. It is wind and watertight — no holes, working door seals, an intact roof — but it shows its history: surface rust, dents and previous owner markings are normal and do not affect how it performs.

What it is good for

This unit is commonly used for temperature-controlled storage and transport. Doors, windows, insulation, electrics and paint can all be added before it ships — it is cheaper and neater to specify a conversion while the container is still in our yard than to modify it on your site afterwards.

Browse more in 40ft Containers, or see the full container catalogue.

Standards and inspection

Containers intended for international shipping carry a valid safety approval plate under the Convention for Safe Containers, administered by the International Maritime Organization. Condition grades such as cargo-worthy follow the inspection criteria published by the Institute of International Container Lessors. If you need a unit for shipping rather than static storage, tell us and we will confirm its plate before dispatch.

Delivery

Delivery is quoted against your site access rather than published as a flat rate, because haulage for a container depends on the distance, the approach and whether a crane is needed. Most deliveries use a tilt-bed truck, which needs a clear and reasonably level run about twice the container length. We price it before you commit.