FAQs

Get clarity for your cold chain logistics decisions with answers to all your burning questions about refrigerated containers, cold storage, delivery and hire options across Australia.

We offer 10ft, 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers in both general purpose (GP) and high cube (HC) formats. High cube containers have almost 300mm extra internal height.

 GPHC
10ft15.49m³14.17m³
20ft28.3m³31.63m³
40ft60.25m³68.74m3

If you’re planning to store pallets, here’s what you can expect:

  • 10ft: 1 pallet or 2 stacked
  • 20ft: 4 pallets or 8 stacked
  • 40ft: 9 pallets or 18 stacked

We also supply two-pallet-wide containers designed to fit two pallets side by side:

  • 20ft pallet-wide: 8 pallets or 16 stacked
  • 40ft pallet-wide: 18 pallets or 32 stacked

You can see full specifications and measurements on the individual product pages. If you’re unsure which size suits your needs, our team can guide you through the options.

Please note: Pallet capacity based on standard 1,165mm x 1,165mm Australian CHEP pallets. All containers have a maximum payload capacity, which may reduce the number of pallets that can be safely stored.

We provide 24/7 emergency breakdown support for all refrigerated container hire customers. Emergency contact details will be provided at the time of booking.

If you’ve purchased a container, we extend the same 24/7 emergency breakdown service to you as an after-sales commitment.

In the rare event that something goes wrong, contact a Climatight representative as soon as possible. We’ll dispatch a fully qualified reefer technician to attend the unit and resolve the issue.

Every council has its own rules around shipping containers on private or commercial land. We recommend contacting your local council before committing to hire or purchase.

You’ll also need to consider:

  • Container placement and access
  • Door orientation for loading and usability
  • Overhead obstructions like power lines

Planning this well in advance of shipping container delivery helps avoid delays and ensures a smooth installation.

Yes. We buy back used containers and offer trade-ins if you want to upgrade. This extends to refrigerated containers, standard ‘dry’ containers and specialist dangerous goods or DNV containers.

Buy-back pricing is based on market value and the container’s condition. Get in touch with our team to discuss your options.

We use specialised transport depending on your site and container size, including:
  • Tilt tray trucks
  • HIAB crane trucks
  • Side loader trucks
Each method is selected based on the type of container, as well as access and space requirements at the placement location. You can learn more about shipping container delivery here.

Yes, you’re welcome to arrange your own transport.

That said, most customers choose Climatight to handle delivery. We handle container logistics every day and have a strong network of trusted transport providers. We can often secure a more cost-effective solution than going direct, and we’ll take care of all the coordination. It’s worth a conversation before you start calling around.

Yes. We arrange delivery across all of Australia, including regional and remote locations through our network of trusted transport providers. Call us on 0475 000 560 to discuss your location and confirm lead times.

Most of our containers run on three-phase power. You’ll need the following at your delivery site:
  • Voltage: 380/460V
  • Amps: 32A
  • Plug: 4 or 5-pin Wilco
  • Frequency: 50/60Hz
It’s best to place the refrigerated container within 10 metres of the power source. If your site is further away, call us before confirming your booking and we’ll help you find a solution.

Yes. If three-phase power isn’t available, a 15kVA generator is typically sufficient to run a refrigerated container.

Yes. Many of our customers run their units inside warehouses. The main requirement is adequate ventilation. Our team can assess your situation and confirm whether your setup is suitable.

We also offer self-storage for refrigerated containers. Visit our Self-Storage page to learn more about climate-controlled storage units.

As long or as short as you need. We can arrange hires for a single day through to open-ended terms, on a fixed or flexible schedule. We can even help you relocate your container during the rental period, and we may have customised containers available for hire. 

Talk to us about what works for your operation.

No. we deliver the container empty to your premises and collect it when you’re ready to return it.

You can turn it on and off whenever you need it. There’s no need to keep it running when it’s not in use. Run it when you need cold storage and switch it off when you don’t.

It depends on whether the container is loaded, how much product is inside, the temperature of the product when it goes in, and the ambient temperature outside.

As a general guide:
• If cargo is pre-frozen to -20°C, the internal air typically stabilises in 60–120 minutes.
• If product is loaded at ambient (room) temperature, reaching frozen temperatures can take several hours or longer.

Reefer containers are designed to maintain temperature, not act as blast freezers. Pre-conditioning your goods will always result in better performance.

Yes, remote monitoring is available on selected refrigerated containers in certain locations. This allows you to track temperature performance and ensure compliance without manual checks. Contact our team to find out if it’s available for your unit and site.

Yes. When used as a chiller, humidity can be controlled between 60% and 85%. If humidity control is important for your product, let us know when you enquire and we’ll confirm the setup that suits you.

All Climatight refrigerated containers meet Australian standards. They are constructed from Corten steel with lockable double swing doors and heavy-duty locks.

Every container is inspected before dispatch to confirm it’s sealed correctly and holding temperature consistently. We can also fit additional padlocks, locking systems and alarms before delivery if required.

Absolutely, we can customise dry and refrigerated containers to meet your requirements. Whether you need custom doors or access ramps on a refrigerated container, painting, electrical fit-out, ventilation, or a completely custom-built dry container, we’ll make it happen.

Learn more about customisations and shipping container accessories.

Yes. All Climatight container modifications are designed with compliance in mind. Whether it’s electrical fit-outs, custom dangerous goods storage or offshore requirements, our containers are built to align with relevant Australian standards and industry regulations.

Yes. We can paint your container in a standard colour or apply a custom design. For example, to match your company’s branding. Pricing varies based on container size and design complexity. Contact our team for a quote.

We offer flexible payment options depending on whether you’re hiring or purchasing.

For specific information on payment terms and options, contact our team directly on 0475 000 560 or at [email protected]. We’ll give you a clear picture of what’s available before you commit.

If you’re hiring a container, just get in touch and we’ll arrange collection. If you’ve purchased a container and no longer need it, contact our team to discuss your options. We may be able to take it back as second-hand stock.