Used refrigerated shipping containers for sale are used reefer or cold-storage units sold for temperature-controlled storage. In practical terms, buyers use them when they need a container that can help keep goods chilled, frozen, or otherwise temperature-managed, rather than a standard dry shipping container.
The label varies by seller: you may see refrigerated, reefer, cold storage, chiller, freezer, or insulated containers. Those terms overlap, but they are not always identical. Before you buy, focus on the actual function of the unit, the size, the refrigeration system, the condition, and the delivery requirements.
This guide explains what to look for, what used refrigerated containers typically cost, which sizes are common, and how to think about buying one near Brooklyn, New York City, Upstate New York, or New Jersey.
Used refrigerated shipping containers for sale: what to know before you buy
If you are looking at used refrigerated shipping containers for sale, the first thing to understand is that you are not shopping for a generic dry container. You are shopping for a specialist unit designed around temperature control. That means the refrigeration equipment, the insulation, the doors, and the overall condition matter more than they do in an ordinary storage container purchase.
Suppliers that sell used containers often describe these units as refrigerated containers, used refrigerated containers, refrigerated shipping containers, cold storage containers, or reefer containers. Some dealers also carry container yards and maintenance services for refrigerated equipment, which can matter if you need pre-trip inspection, pre-cooling, genset mounting, or basic upkeep.
A useful starting point is to ask four questions:
- Does the unit still have a working refrigeration system, or is it being sold as-is?
- Is the container certified, inspected, or individually photographed?
- What size do you actually need for storage volume and site access?
- What will delivery and placement cost on top of the container price?
For buyers who want a broad used-container supplier reference, companies such as IPL Port, CGI Container Sales, and ConGlobal’s container yard services show how the market typically presents these units: as inspected, condition-graded, and available in multiple configurations, with refrigerated support services where needed.
How much used refrigerated containers cost
Used refrigerated containers usually cost far more than the bargain pricing people sometimes see for general dry shipping containers. If you are searching for shipping containers under $1,000, that price level is generally associated with other container types or very rough dry units, not with usable refrigerated containers.
Based on current listing examples in the supplied research, you can expect pricing to vary widely by size, condition, and whether the refrigeration equipment is certified or ready to use. Example market listings include:
- around $2,300 for a 40ft refrigerated unit
- $3,750 for a 27ft to 45ft chiller/freezer example
- $9,999 for a certified 20ft refrigerated shipping container
These are examples from current listings, not universal prices. They are useful because they show the real spread in the market. A container that is certified, cleaner, more recently serviced, or more immediately usable will usually command a higher price than a unit sold in rougher condition or needing more work.
Several factors can move the price up or down:
- Length — 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, and larger units price differently.
- Temperature capability — freezer, chiller, refrigerated, or insulated units are not priced the same way.
- Condition — cosmetic condition, structural condition, and system condition all matter.
- Certification or inspection — certified units usually sell differently from unverified ones.
- Delivery — transport can materially change your total spend.
If you are comparing a used refrigerated unit to a general container listing, do not assume the cheaper dry-container price tells you what a reefer should cost. Refrigeration equipment is the major difference.
Common sizes and types of used reefer containers
The market includes more than just the familiar 20ft and 40ft container formats. The supplied research shows buyer interest in several specific sizes and labels, which is useful because size and temperature function often matter as much as price.
| Common size or type | Typical buyer use | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft refrigerated container | Small-volume storage, tight sites, limited access | Whether the compact footprint still meets your storage needs and delivery access |
| 20ft freezer or refrigerated unit | Smaller commercial storage, food or product holding, flexible siting | Temperature range, door condition, and whether the unit is certified or inspected |
| 27ft to 45ft chiller/freezer unit | Mid-range cold storage and mixed-volume needs | Working refrigeration system, insulation condition, and delivery space |
| 40ft refrigerated unit | Larger storage needs and common commercial use | Refrigeration status, structure, and access for delivery equipment |
| 53ft insulated reefer | Higher-capacity storage or site-specific logistics | Site length, placement room, and whether the insulation and cooling suit the intended use |
The key choice is not just size. It is the combination of size and temperature requirement. A freezer unit is not the same thing as a chiller, and an insulated container is not automatically the same thing as a fully operational refrigerated unit.
If your site is tight, a 10ft or 20ft unit may be the right practical answer. If you need more capacity and have room for delivery, a 40ft or 53ft unit may make more sense. If you are unsure, work backwards from the goods you need to store, the temperature range required, and the access available for delivery and placement.
What to inspect before buying a used refrigerated container
Yes, you can buy a container for storage, and used refrigerated units are especially relevant when temperature control matters. But the inspection matters just as much as the listing title.
Strong buying signals in the supplied sources include wind and water tightness, secure locking doors, forklift pockets, honest condition representation, individual inspection and photography, and transparent pricing. Those are useful because they tell you what a seller is paying attention to before the sale.
Before buying, check the following:
- General condition — look for major dents, corrosion, repairs, and signs of abuse.
- Weather-tightness — confirm the unit is wind and water tight if that matters for your use.
- Doors and seals — doors should close properly and lock securely.
- Forklift pockets — these affect handling and placement.
- Refrigeration system status — do not assume it is fully operational.
- Certification or inspection — ask whether the seller has inspected the unit and what that inspection covered.
- Photos and documentation — individual photographs and clear condition notes reduce surprises.
It is also wise to ask whether the seller has maintained or serviced the refrigeration equipment. In the live sources, refrigerated container support services include pre-trip inspections, pre-cooling, genset mounting, and repair capability, which is a useful reminder that a reefer is more than a steel box. The mechanical side matters.
If you want a broader background on container construction and durability, see our guide on shipping container wall thickness. If handling and delivery are part of your planning, you may also find how much a 20ft shipping container weighs useful.
Where to find used refrigerated shipping containers near Brooklyn, NYC, Upstate NY, and NJ
Local search intent is strong for this topic because delivery radius and available inventory can affect the total cost as much as the asking price. If you are searching for used refrigerated shipping containers for sale near Brooklyn or near New York, NY, the practical question is not only “who has stock?” but also “who can deliver it to my site at a workable cost?”
The supplied sources show two broad supplier patterns. Some sellers focus on New York and the Northeast. Others advertise delivery across the lower 48 states or even all 50 states. That distinction matters because a local dealer may help with shorter delivery distances, while a national supplier may offer wider inventory or a better fit for a very specific size and condition.
When you are comparing listings in Brooklyn, NYC, Upstate New York, or New Jersey, use this checklist:
- Ask whether the seller serves your exact area or only a broader region.
- Confirm whether delivery is included or quoted separately.
- Check whether the seller can place the unit where you need it.
- Compare local inventory against national inventory, especially for uncommon sizes.
- Do not assume “near me” means the cheapest total price; delivery and handling may outweigh the list price.
If you are comparing nearby sourcing options with larger regional inventory, it can help to think like a freight buyer, not just a retail shopper. Delivery distance, site access, and equipment handling can materially change the total landed cost. For that reason, our guide on shipping a 20-foot container can be a useful companion read when you are estimating transport-related expenses.
Whether you are searching for shipping containers for sale in NYC, shipping containers for sale in NJ, or shipping containers for sale Upstate NY, treat the location as a logistics filter rather than a different product category. You are still buying the same type of equipment; you are just changing the delivery and sourcing problem.
Do you need a concrete slab or pad for a shipping container?
A concrete slab is not automatically required, but the supplied evidence does not support a universal rule. The safe way to think about it is as a site-preparation question, not as a one-size-fits-all requirement.
In practice, the main factors are whether the ground is level, whether the support is stable, whether delivery access is possible, and what you plan to use the container for. A refrigerated container may need more careful placement than a simple dry storage box because you may care about insulation, airflow, and long-term equipment performance.
Before you decide on a slab, think about these points:
- Will the site support the container evenly?
- Can the delivery truck and lifting equipment access the location?
- Will the container be used temporarily or as a long-term installation?
- Does the intended use involve temperature-sensitive goods?
- Are there local permit or site rules that apply to your property?
If you are unsure, ask the seller or installer what ground preparation they recommend for the specific unit you are buying. Because the current evidence does not establish engineering or code rules, it would be misleading to say every container must sit on a concrete slab.
Is it cheaper to build a shed or buy a shipping container?
There is no universal winner here. The better answer depends on what you need the structure to do.
A used refrigerated shipping container can be economical if you need a durable enclosed unit with temperature control, especially when you compare it with building something from scratch. But the total cost is not just the sticker price. Delivery, placement, site prep, and any refrigeration servicing can change the economics significantly.
A shed may be cheaper in some cases if you only need basic dry storage and do not need temperature control. A shipping container may be the better buy if you want a robust steel structure, quicker deployment, and a unit already built for storage. If you need refrigeration or insulated cold storage, the balance can shift again, because a shed would need to be adapted or equipped for that purpose.
A practical way to compare them is by use case:
- Choose a shed if you need simple storage and a custom look or layout.
- Choose a shipping container if you want a ready-made steel enclosure.
- Choose a refrigerated container if your storage needs include temperature control.
So the answer to “is it cheaper to build a shed or buy a shipping container?” is: sometimes one, sometimes the other. The better comparison is the total delivered and installed cost for your specific site and storage requirement. The sources here support a qualified comparison, not a universal price verdict.
Where can I buy second-hand shipping containers?
Second-hand shipping containers are sold through container dealers, container yards, surplus marketplaces, and equipment sellers that specialise in new and used units. The important point is to specify exactly what you want. A broad search for second-hand shipping containers can return dry boxes, high cubes, open-side units, or refrigerated units, so you need to say that you want a reefer or cold-storage container if that is your goal.
When shopping, look for sellers that provide:
- clear condition descriptions
- photos of the exact unit or a clearly identified inventory example
- transparent pricing
- delivery options
- inspection or certification details
Some suppliers in the supplied research market themselves on quality checks, individual inspection, and broad inventory. Others emphasise refrigerated maintenance capability or delivery coverage. Those are useful signals, but you still need to verify the condition of the specific unit you plan to buy.
If your purchase may involve import or cross-border movement rather than a purely local delivery, it is worth reviewing how customs clearance works before you finalise the logistics. Not every container purchase requires customs processing, but when it does, timing and paperwork can affect the delivery plan.
Buying tips that help you avoid expensive mistakes
Used refrigerated containers are useful equipment, but they are not impulse purchases. The best outcomes usually come from careful specification rather than chasing the lowest price.
- Define the temperature need first. Chiller, freezer, refrigerated, and insulated units are not interchangeable.
- Choose the right size for the site. A 40ft unit may be ideal on paper, but not if the delivery access is too tight.
- Confirm the refrigeration status. Do not assume a used reefer is fully operational.
- Ask for inspection details. Certification, photos, and condition notes matter.
- Budget for delivery. The total cost is often more than the list price.
- Check the ground and access. Delivery and placement often create the real bottleneck.
- Compare sellers by total value. A slightly higher price can be better if the unit is cleaner, better documented, or easier to deliver.
For most buyers, the smartest approach is to compare a few units of the right size, then weigh condition, system status, and delivery cost together. That gives you a far better picture than focusing on headline price alone.