Container Delivery Guide

Most shipping containers are delivered by a heavy goods vehicle. We use a HIAB, a lorry-mounted crane, to lift the container from the vehicle and place it nearby. The vehicle, crane, container, stabilisers, and final placement position all need to be considered before the delivery date.

Walk the route from the public road to the final placement area. Check road width, gate width, turning space, parked vehicles, tight bends, slopes, soft verges, low bridges, restricted access, security barriers, and shared yards.

Look up as well as down. Overhead power lines, telephone cables, tree branches, building eaves, lighting columns, signs, scaffolding, canopies, and CCTV poles can stop a HIAB lift or make the route unsuitable.

Also check ground hazards. Heavy vehicles and stabilisers should not be placed over weak drains, manhole covers, septic tanks, cellars, soft ground, shallow services, loose fill, or surfaces that may crack or sink. Where public roads, pavements, verges, parking restrictions, or traffic management may be involved, check requirements through gov.uk or the relevant local authority.

The container should sit on firm, level, well-drained ground. Concrete, tarmac, prepared hardstanding, compacted stone, concrete pads, sleepers, or an engineered base may be suitable depending on the container, contents, duration, and site.

Uneven support can twist the container frame. This can make the doors difficult to open, close, or lock. Standing water, wet grass, mud, poor drainage, and shaded ground can also increase corrosion and condensation risk over time.

Leave enough clearance for the container doors, loading, maintenance, lock operation, racking, future relocation, and collection if the unit is hired. Avoid placing the container so close to a wall, fence, hedge, bank, building, or parked vehicle area that it becomes hard to use safely.

HIAB space depends on the vehicle, container size, lift distance, ground, and final placement position. The lorry needs room to approach, align with the drop area, deploy stabilisers, lift the container, and leave safely.

Stabilisers are support legs extended from the vehicle to help keep it stable during lifting. They need clear side space and firm ground. If stabilisers must sit on soft ground, weak paving, drains, or uneven surfaces, the lift may not be safe.

The crane has a limited safe working reach. The closer the vehicle can park to the final position, the easier the lift usually is. Lifting over walls, fences, hedges, low structures, or landscaping may be possible in some cases, but it depends on height, reach, container weight, and site conditions. Send photos and measurements where placement is restricted.

What is HIAB container delivery?

HIAB delivery uses a lorry-mounted crane to lift the container from the vehicle and place it nearby. It is often used where the customer does not have suitable lifting equipment on site.

How much space is needed for HIAB delivery?

The space depends on the lorry, container size, stabiliser position, lift distance, and final placement. The vehicle needs safe access, overhead clearance, firm ground, side space for stabilisers, and room to leave after unloading.

Can a shipping container be delivered to a driveway?

Sometimes. The driveway must be suitable for the container and the delivery method. Check road access, turning space, surface strength, slope, underground services, overhead cables, neighbours, and door clearance before booking.

What affects shipping container delivery cost?

Main cost drivers include distance, postcode, container size, vehicle type, HIAB requirement, lift distance, route restrictions, timing, access difficulty, site readiness, and whether the container is modified, specialist, loaded, or for export.

What happens if delivery access is not suitable?

The delivery may be changed, delayed, or aborted if the vehicle cannot safely access or unload. This can create additional costs or scheduling issues, depending on the agreement, so send accurate access details before delivery.