What is a Once Used or a One trip Shipping Container? Everything You Need to Know

Jane on October 15, 2024

What Is a Once Used Shipping Container?

A ‘Once used’ or ‘One trip’ container is a shipping container that has been manufactured in China and shipped with one cargo over to a particular country, in our case the UK. Both terms ‘Once used’ and ‘One trip’ mean the same.

The shipping container is shipped this way in order to keep the cost down. The shipping lines in effect borrow the container for a shipment. If a container was shipped without the cargo the cost of shipping would be added to the cost of the container and therefore making it a lot higher price.

The container is shipped in the normal shipping way and therefore the condition of the container would be the same, whether it had cargo carried or not.

Why Choose a Once Used Shipping Container?

A new once used or one trip container is a much better option as opposed to a heavily used second hand shipping container. 

Second-hand containers will have been used for around 15 years of shipping. During their lifetime they will have been in and out of container depots, on and off ships, trucks and trains. The sea air and other elements do affect the condition.

With the once used containers you get in effect a new container with the odd minor scratch or dent.

There are no shipping container factories in the UK. China offer lower labour and material rates making a new one trip container more affordable.

What Condition Are Once Used Shipping Containers In?

A new once used container will have the odd minor imperfection such as a small dent or scratch and will be clean inside. The condition is practically new. 

These minor imperfections will not affect the integrity or structure of the container and can be utilised without any issues.

Please see example photos below:

How Can Once Used Shipping Containers Be Used?

Once used containers have a wide range of uses. Their new-like qualities mean that the once used containers are perfect for the following uses:

  • Storage 
  • Office conversions
  • Garden rooms
  • Workshops
  • Small retail outlet
  • For shipping goods

Choosing the Right Once Used Container for Your Needs

Using a new once used container for any business is much better than a second-hand 15-year-old container. You get longevity from a once-used container. You should be able to use a new once used container for around 40 years, as long as it is maintained well throughout that time.  

They are straight and much easier to manipulate when converting them into another facility.

Self storage sites use once used containers as they want to keep their site looking aesthetically pleasing for their customers.

We can highly recommend a once-used container as opposed to a second-hand 15-year-old container.

Why Buy a Once Used Container From Us?

Our expertise in this field is second to none. We are committed to quality and we try to ensure all our containers are suitable for our customers requirements. We offer a great product at a fair price, offering value for money.

Contact us today to find the perfect once used container for your needs

Call us today on 0800 121 7388 for a no-obligation quotation or complete our enquiry form here.

We offer “Expertise in every container”

Storage Made Simple: The Case for Investing in a Shipping Container

Jane on September 16, 2024

Why storage matters

There is a lack of secure and flexible storage space for many industries and private people. 

The solution to this problem is buying or hiring a shipping container for storage. They are secure, robust and watertight, which means they are perfect for your storage needs.

Hiring storage containers can be a more flexible option, with a minimum of a 26-week hire, or you can purchase them and add them to your fixed asset register, giving you a tax advantage.

What makes a shipping container a sound investment?

Shipping containers for storage is a worthwhile investment. They are durable, versatile, and secure. This brings longevity, meaning a second-hand container can last around another 10-15 years and the new (one trip) containers can last around 40 years, with a little maintenance over that time.

Buying a shipping container for storage is a valuable and a cost-effective solution. There is always a re-sale value to the container, low maintenance costs and they can be converted for multiple uses. HMRC also allows you to write the container down on your fixed asset register, giving your company a tax advantage.

All in all, buying a shipping container is a good sound investment.

Hiring a container can allow you to keep your weekly rental costs to a minimum while still allowing you to utilise the storage space at a low cost.

Benefits over traditional storage options

Having a shipping container on your site means that you remove the need to move your goods from off-site, reducing the cost of fuel, van hire, access issues, and removal personnel to move your goods to the off-site storage facility.

24-7 access to your ‘on the doorstep storage container’, is a huge plus point.

A shipping container for storage on your site gives you durability, flexibility and mobility. This is your best possible option.

Customisation and Flexibility

Shipping containers for storage can be adapted to meet your needs. For example, we offer magnetic, motion sensor, battery-operated lights, padlocks for high security and absorpoles for any excess moisture inside your container. Free-standing shelving can be added to keep your store organised.

We can also offer a bespoke conversion facility. As an example, you can have a 20ft shipping container converted into half office space and half storage space. For more options please see our container conversions page.

Renting vs Buying

This will mainly depend on what budget you have available. 

By renting a container you can spread the costs out over a number of months. If you only have space available for a container on your site for a set period of time, renting would probably be your best option.

Buying a shipping container for storage, means you will have the initial outlay, but you will own the container and in business you will be able to depreciate its value over the course of time, giving you a tax advantage. You will also have the re-sale value, when you have finished with it, as long as you have maintained the container.

Case Studies

Longevity and Sustainability

Shipping containers for storage are a sustainable choice, as they are long-lasting, reusable and can be re-purposed.

Sustainability is an increasing concern. Containers are eco-friendly and durable, giving you peace of mind for the longevity of the container.

How to Get Started

We are ONLY a phone call away, so please call Jane, Clare and Matt today on 0800 121 7388.

Or complete our enquiry form here.

How is a shipping container delivered and offloaded? A step-by-step guide

Jane on September 5, 2024

How Does Shipping Container Delivery Work?

Having a shipping container delivered safely and efficiently is paramount. The delivery process is simple and straightforward for professional and experienced drivers like ours.

We have been selling and renting shipping containers with delivery to your door for over 12 years. We are proud to have found a number of experienced drivers that take care in the delivery process.  We and our drivers have the experience and professionalism to cater for your delivery needs.

Preparing your site for delivery

You will need to be sure that your site is suitable for our vehicles. The ground must be stable and there should be clear access.

Please see our checklist for safe delivery.

If you are unsure of your site being suitable for our vehicles, then please do call us and we can discuss with our transport provider to ensure we save you time and money for any wasted delivery trips.

We are here to help you, wherever we can.

What vehicles are used for delivery?

Our vehicles are called HIABs. HIAB is a brand name and means that the vehicles are fitted with a crane so that the shipping containers can be lifted off and positioned on the ground.

For a 40ft shipping container, we use a 60ft long x 10ft wide articulated vehicle fitted with a HIAB. A 20ft shipping container is delivered on an 8-wheeler 36ft or 40ft long x 10ft wide rigid (rigid means the cab of the vehicle does not break away from the trailer, like the artic) vehicle fitted with a HIAB.

The drivers we use are highly professional and bring a wealth of experience to every delivery, ensuring that the process is handled smoothly and efficiently. Their expertise reinforces the reliability of our service, giving you confidence that your shipping container will be delivered safely and on time.

How shipping containers are offloaded safely

All vehicles are fitted with stabilisers, which must be put into position before the offload.

The stabilisers or outriggers are placed approximately 10ft to the side of the vehicle. There are 4 outriggers in total (2 near the back and 2 near the front of the vehicle) 

The HIAB vehicle lifts the container off to the side of the vehicle. The shipping container corners are chained up in order to lift the container into position. Some vehicles can lift further than others. 

The site and the surrounding area must be clear of personnel and any obstructions, in order to fulfil the safety requirements. 

Our drivers use a remote control in order to move the crane into a position suitable for positioning the container.

The offload procedure is a precise movement and must be handled by a fully qualified HIAB driver. 

Our driver will offload the shipping container to your designated location. However, if this is not possible then he will land the container as close as he possibly can. Safety is paramount and we ask that you take instruction from our driver. He knows what his vehicle is capable of and he is qualified to make safe offloading decisions.

Common Challenges during delivery

There can be many challenges that present themselves at the time of delivery and offload. Some include overhead cables, bad weather, uneven ground, parked cars in the way, things that have not been considered beforehand and tight spaces (this list is not exhaustive).

Offloading underneath overhead cables is extremely dangerous, so we will NOT attempt this. Please refer to these HSE instructions.

We have encountered most challenges and we endeavour to assist with problem solving. 

You can rely on us and our driver to do our best in order to rectify any problems.

Reading our delivery checklist and highlighting any possible issues beforehand is highly recommended. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

We always agree on a mutual delivery date with a window of 7am til 6.30pm. The reason behind this is that transport schedules are planned the day before. We do try to find out the day before whether the delivery time will be in the morning or afternoon and let you know. The driver is under instruction to call you 1 hour prior to his ETA. 

There can be delays that are out of our control eg. bad weather, road accidents and previous site delays. We do try to keep you informed if we know, but of course, you can call us and we will find out more information for you.

All the while we are a phone call away to assist you with your delivery.

What to expect on Delivery Day

As we said before we try to let you know whether the delivery will be in the morning or afternoon. Our driver will also call you 1 hour prior to his delivery time.

Billie Box factors in 1 hour for delivery and offload; however, it often only takes 30 minutes, as long as there are no obstructions.

We do ask that your site is clear for access and the offload, in plenty of time before our driver arrives on site. This will avoid delays and stresses for all parties.

Billie Box always try to keep you informed at all times, giving you peace of mind.

Why our delivery service stands out

We at Billie Box pride ourselves on offering a professional and reliable shipping container sale, rental and delivery service.  

Our customer service is excellent. Don’t just listen to us; why not see our testimonials? We have been privileged to have received many Google and website testimonials from our customers who have used our services over many years. Here is one for your perusal.

For more testimonials please click on the image above.

Call us on T: 0800 121 7388 or complete our GET a Quote form today.

A Milestone of Trust: Thank You for 12 Years of Support

Jane on August 12, 2024

Celebrating 12 Years of Trust and Excellence

We here at Billie Box are celebrating 12 years of trading, offering our customers shipping container sales, hire and conversion with delivery to your door.

This milestone is time for reflection and gratitude.

We are so grateful for our customers, suppliers and staff support. Without this support we would not be here today. 

Thank you

Our Customers: The Heart of Our Success

We appreciate your business and the enduring relationships we’ve established, which foster trust and encourage ongoing collaboration. 

We’ve gathered numerous testimonials that reflect our dedication to serving our clients. We thank you for your support and hope to continue serving you over the coming years.

Customer loyalty has been central to our success and customer feedback has helped us to improve our shipping containers and services over the years.

We are committed to continuing to meet our customer needs.

Many many thanks to our great customers.

Partners in Quality: Our Suppliers

We have been trading with our suppliers for the last 12 years. Jane and her team have accumulated around 60 years of combined knowledge of the shipping container industry which included building excellent relationships with Billie Box’s suppliers. We have mutual trust with our suppliers so we can offer our customers the best possible product and service.

We thank you for our continued supplier support.

A Strong Team, A Strong Business

Clare, Jane’s sister, has been a strong member of our team. Clare handles container sales, quotations and order processing, while coordinating with our customers and suppliers with professionalism and care.

Matt, Jane’s partner, is another strong member of the team. Matt handles the credit control with meticulous attention to detail. 

Jane is the owner and is most grateful for all the hard work Clare and Matt put into making this company a successful one. Jane couldn’t have done it without them.

Billie Box is a family run business that offers a reliable and professional touch.

Thank you, Clare and Matt; your support is greatly appreciated and is invaluable.

Reflecting on Our Journey

In 2012 when Jane started Billie Box, it was small and compact, with just 1 employee. We offered just shipping container sales and rental services. 

In 2016 when things got too busy for Jane on her own, Jane brought Matt in to assist with the ever growing credit control side. The container rental fleet has increased hugely.

In 2020 when COVID-19 hit our country, the business went from strength to strength. Containers were selling off the shelves with the boom of storage requirements. This particular time was testing with slow availability of stock, but we managed to supply pretty much all our clients with their requests.

In 2021 Clare came into the business to assist with the expansion of conversion work and help with the day-to-day running of the ever flourishing Billie Box.

All the while we have supported many local charities by way of fundraising events. 

Today, we are very privileged to be able to supply many new and repeat customers with their container purchases, rentals and conversions. We are continuing to grow our container sales, rental and conversion business across England and Wales.

Looking Ahead to the Future

With over 60 years of combined container knowledge and 12 years of trading we are in the best position to be able to assist old and new customers with their container requirements.

We want to move with the times and have plans to offer many extra container accessories to ensure longevity and help expand the functionality of your container(s). Watch this space for more information.

We look forward to many more years of serving our clients in the most professional and efficient way.

Our expertise ensures customers make informed choices when purchasing or renting our products and services.

With our long term partnerships we can continue to grow and offer an even more improved product and service to our clients.

Conclusion

Thank you

We invite our customers, suppliers and staff to continue this great journey with us. 

Find out more by calling us today.

We offer:

🔵 20ft & 40ft Shipping Container for storage for hire

🔵 20ft & 40ft Shipping Container for storage for sale

🔵 10ft & 20ft Chemical Storage Containers for sale

🔵 20ft Portable Container Offices for sale

🔵 Bespoke Container Conversions

🔵 All with delivery to your door

📞 Call us on 0800 121 7388 or visit our websites:

👉 Billie Box

👉 Chemical Storage 4 Farmers

Container Lighting: A Guide to Safe and Effective Solutions

Jane on August 9, 2024

Introduction

Container lighting is a must when using your shipping container. As an owner of a shipping container, you need to be sure that your staff/employees are able to use the container safely. 

Lighting affects not only functionality but also safety and security.

Here we will guide you through important considerations when it comes to container lighting.

Understanding your Container lighting needs

There are reasons why lighting is needed with your container. 

  1. Storage facilities: You and your staff need to have good visibility. Perhaps you are looking for a specific item and it is too dark to find it in your shipping container. Chemical storage containers certainly need to be well-lit in order to pick up the correct chemical for the job. Shipping container interiors are often painted in white or light grey, so when you have the doors open you get the natural daylight. The trouble is the doors are often only 1 end of the container, which means the other end can be darker.
  2. Workspace: You may use your shipping container as an office space, snack shack or another facility. Good lighting for your staff is a health and safety requirement.

Container lighting is paramount to anything we use today.

Accidents can occur if your container is not lit properly, whether it be a storage container, chemical store, office unit, snack shack, etc.

We have the solutions to your container lighting problems.

Types of container lighting

  1. Storage: You can use a torch, but if you or your staff are carrying goods in and out, carrying a torch at the same time can be cumbersome and difficult. Fixed container lighting is probably the best way forward. We recommend a magnetic battery-powered motion sensor light. Perfect for the job.
  2. Office units: Good light again is part of the health and safety requirements. Fixed lighting would be your best option. When we convert a shipping container into an office or canteen unit we ensure that overhead strip lights are fitted, to give the maximum spread of light.
  3. Snack shack/Mobile food service unit: The same rules apply as for the office units above.
  4. Chemical storage containers: The same rules apply as for the storage units above.

Installation considerations

Our magnetic motion sensor battery-operated lights are so easy to fit. All you do is place it against the container walls and activate accordingly. SUPER EASY! No cables required.

They come in 2 sizes: 12 inches or 24 inches long.

For a 20ft container, it is recommended you have 2-3 x 12-inch lights spread out evenly.

For a 40ft container, it is recommended you have 2-4 x 12-inch lights spread out evenly.

For the lighting fitted in the offices, canteens, snack shacks, etc. our electricians fit them as part of the conversion work. These lights are hooked up to a consumer unit which runs on a 240v 32amp socket. This socket can, with the right cable, be connected to your electrical supply. All this is handled by our qualified engineers. Again, SUPER EASY!

Benefits of Professional container advice

We have over 60 years of combined container knowledge. We have encountered many container problems, which we often have the solution to. 

All our electricians are industry-qualified.

So for peace of mind, call us at Billie Box for our container lighting advice.

Conclusion

In summary here are a few things to consider when thinking about container lighting:

  1. What are you going to use your container for?
  2. Who is going to use your container?
  3. Who is responsible for the container?
  4. Is natural light enough?
  5. Do you need extra lighting?
  6. Do you meet the health and safety guidelines?

This list is not exhaustive, it is a rough guide to your container lighting solutions.

We offer:

🔵 20ft & 40ft Shipping Container for storage for hire

🔵 20ft & 40ft Shipping Container for storage for sale

🔵 10ft & 20ft Chemical storage Containers for sale

🔵 20ft Portable Container Offices for sale

🔵 Bespoke Container Conversions

🔵 All with delivery to your door

📞 Call us on 0800 121 7388 or visit our websites:

👉 Billie Box

👉 Chemical Storage 4 Farmers

Maximising Shipping Container Efficiency with Accessories: Lighting, Moisture Control, and Security

Jane on August 9, 2024

Introduction

Container accessories will make your life easier by ensuring your container’s security and functionality. To maximise the potential of your container, accessories are increasingly essential.

The main types of container accessories we will cover are:

  1. Lighting 
  2. Moisture control
  3. Security options 

Importance of container accessories

These container accessories will improve the longevity of your purchased or rented container and ensure safety is taken into account.

Proper lighting ensures that you and your staff can use the container safely. If your staff can’t see what they are doing in the container, costly mistakes can be made. Having sufficient lighting enables time efficiency and is therefore cost-saving.

A good security system will also reduce costs. Protecting our goods and container contents is what we all want and by deterring opportunists this will certainly avoid loss and replacement costs.

Moisture control will certainly protect your goods. Without a moisture control system your goods could be damaged and this may be costly to rectify. 

Lighting Solutions

Lighting is obviously a useful tool in order to keep the shipping container well lit for your staff and yourself to use the container safely.

We have a couple sizes of battery-operated motion sensor magnetic lights.

Motion sensor lights are perfect, as there are no switches to remember to turn on or off. They are also easy to install as they are magnetic, and they will fit perfectly into the corrugations of the container, in the roof or on the side panels.

Sizes available: 12 inches long or 24 inches long.

This one below is 12 inches long. Click on the image below to purchase online.

Moisture control methods

Excess moisture inside a container is an unknown quantity. It really depends on how you use your container.

If, for example, you are going to open the container doors on a weekly basis on a dry day, then often that can be enough to keep the moisture levels to a minimum.

It also depends on what you are storing in your container. For example, if you are storing wet goods, then your container is going to sweat hugely on those hot/warm days.

With second hand containers, moisture levels can be higher, as knowledge of previous cargoes are unknown to the end user and pretty much every time a container goes into a container depot, it can be steam cleaned. All containers have wooden floors. With the best will in the world, the depots do try to dry the container floor out before re-use, but this can take too long before the next loading of cargo. 

So you will find that second hand containers are more likely to sweat on hot/warm days.

We have a product called an ‘Absorpole’ which helps to reduce the moisture levels hugely. Click the below image for more information and to buy online.

Security and Locking systems

Security and locking systems are paramount to protect your goods and container. 

We weld a lockbox to the container doors prior to it leaving the depot. 

We can supply and deliver these lockboxes to your site; however, we cannot weld them on site. Of course, if you have the welding facility then we would be delighted to supply.

The lockbox acts as a housing for a padlock. It deters opportunists from accessing the area with bolt croppers. 

The padlock is fitted into the lockbox with a shoot bolt system.

Click here for online purchase of padlocks.

Please see the video below showing how it works:

For more information about our locks or to buy online, please click here.

Choosing the right container accessories for your needs

Here is a checklist to help you determine what you need for the safe and secure use of your container.

  1. Work out where the container is going to be positioned. Will it be on a secure site, or will it be in an open and easily accessible area?
  2. Who is going to be responsible for the container? 
  3. Do you need more than 3 padlock keys for your container?
  4. Who is going to be using the container on a regular basis?
  5. Do you need lighting?
  6. How often will you open and close the container?
  7. Do you need moisture control in your container?
  8. What are you storing in your container? Will there be sensitive products? What is the value of your goods?
  9. Insurance for your container and contents is highly recommended.
  10. Do you need the full package? Lighting, security and moisture control?

This list is not exhaustive, and I am sure you may well have other questions that we have not covered here.

Conclusion

It is very important to consider the container accessories that you need. We highly recommend purchasing quality products that will give you longevity and peace of mind.

The benefits of lighting, moisture control and security will put your mind at rest, knowing that they will keep your staff safe, the container and goods protected and extend the container life. 

For more information about our Container Accessories please click here.

We are here to advise you on what you might need for your container, so call us on 0800 121 7388 or GET a QUOTE today.

Can I Put a Shipping Container on My Driveway? Everything You Need to Know

Jane on July 9, 2024

So many customers ask us if they can put a shipping container on their driveway.

Shipping containers for storage are becoming more popular, in particular with the private house owner, when they are extending their house, doing a new build on their land or re-build of their home. 

Legal considerations

The local authorities may well require the homeowner to apply for planning permission. Please see our planning permission blog post for more information.

Our vehicles are not allowed to be on a national highway while offloading a container. You would need to seek permission from the local highways department beforehand. If there are overhead cables/obstructions then this can also cause problems. For more information take a look at our delivery and collection page.

shipping container delivery

Size and space required

You will need to measure your driveway in order to work out what size container you can accommodate. Please note that hedges/fences and other obstructions can cause problems.

We offer 20ft x 8ft and 40ft x 8ft containers. 

The 20ft containers will be transported on a 40ft rigid vehicle with HIAB and the 40ft will be transported on a 60ft arctic vehicle with HIAB.

There must not be any overhead cables or overhanging trees in the way. The vehicle must have good solid ground in order to park and offload the container and take the weight of the vehicle with a crane and container. 

The vehicle will offload the container to the side of the vehicle and there must be sufficient space to put the outriggers off to the side of the vehicle. 

Each vehicle has a different lifting capacity and distance.

The best way forward would be to send us a drawing with dimensions along with photos and perhaps a video of your site with access points.

Ground preparation

The shipping container must be sitting level and therefore the ground where you are hoping to place the container must be solid/not moveable. Each corner of the container must be level with the rest.

Please note, tarmac is not suitable as the container will weigh 2.25T plus your goods. On hot weather days, tarmac can move.

Find out more about how to level your container.

Accessibility and usage

It is crucial that you can use the shipping container that you have in your driveway. Ensure there will be suitable access for you to use the container with ease.

The double doors are at one 8ft end of the container and each door will be approx. 4ft wide, so it is always good to make sure you have sufficient opening space.

The doors fold back to the sides of the container and can be hooked back to avoid swinging doors whilst you are using the container.

Neighbours and community impact

Some neighbours think shipping containers are unsightly, but this is obviously subjective. If you find a neighbour is not happy with the look of the container then they could complain to the local authority’s planning department.

If you want to keep the peace then often a New (one-trip) container would be much better than a 15-year-old container.

We at Billie Box offer a sale or rent service, so you will need to work out whether you want a container on a temporary or permanent basis.

20ft shipping containers being transported
20ft shipping containers being transported

Second hand 20ft shipping container (approx. 15 years old)

20ft new Shipping container
20ft new Shipping container

New (one trip) 20ft shipping container

Insurance and security

The double doors of the container can be fitted with a lockbox which is like a shrouded area for a padlock. This lockbox is an area which cannot be accessed with bolt croppers. 

The padlocks we supply are of high quality.

Additionally, we recommend that you arrange insurance for your shipping container and it’s contents.

Conclusion

Here is a checklist, to answer the question ‘Can I put a shipping container on my driveway?’

  1. Check the size of your driveway.
  2. Check for overhead cables, overhanging trees and any obstructions.
  3. Do you need the container to be lifted from the road?
  4. Is the ground suitable for both the vehicle and the shipping container?
  5. Are your neighbours OK with this shipping container on your driveway?
  6. Check with the local planning department, to see if you need planning permission.
  7. Make sure you insure your container and contents.
  8. Decide whether you need a new or used container.
  9. Work out what size container will suit your requirements.
  10. Is the ground level?
  11. Do you want to buy or hire the shipping container?

If you have any other questions or need more advice then please contact us on 0800 121 7388.

We at Billie Box are here to help you.

Partnering for Success: Billie Box Joins the Federation of Small Business

Jane on July 4, 2024

Billie Box has recently joined the Federation of Small Business. Joining the FSB allows Billie Box to connect with numerous like-minded small businesses across the UK. The networking events offered by the FSB nationwide foster increased collaboration between businesses.

About Billie Box

Billie Box started selling and renting shipping containers with delivery to your door in August 2012. 

Our company has gone from strength to strength over the years, from zero customers to over 1400 customers, of which 30% are repeat customers, selling over 4000 containers and hiring over 200. Jane, Clare and Matt have over 60 years of combined container knowledge and experience in the container industry.

Billie Box has spent many years building trust with customers and fundraising for the local community. 

The benefits of joining the Federation of Small Business means we can collaborate with many like-minded businesses all over the UK.

Understanding the Federation of Small Business and its Importance

The benefits of being a member of the FSB:

  • Introduction to thousands of different businesses across the UK
  • Business support hub
  • Training courses for our staff
  • Powerful voice in Government to ensure small businesses are heard

This will help improve our services, open up business opportunities, enhance our business practices and reassure us that the Government is listening to our concerns.

The protection of the Federation of Small Business means we can offer an even better service to our customers.

Call us today to see what we can do for you

We offer:

🔵 20ft & 40ft Shipping Container for storage for hire

🔵 20ft & 40ft Shipping Container for storage for sale

🔵 10ft & 20ft Chemical storage Containers for sale

🔵 20ft Portable Container Offices for sale

🔵 Bespoke Container Conversions

🔵 All with delivery to your door

📞  Call us on 0800 121 7388 or visit our websites:

👉 Billie Box

👉 Chemical Storage 4 Farmers

How We’re Supporting Cancer Support Suffolk – Charity Golf Day

Jane on July 4, 2024

Cancer Support Suffolk is holding a charity golf day at Seckford Golf Club on Friday, 19th July and we at Billie Box are supporting this event by sponsoring a golf hole.

Billie Box has in the past supported Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, which is now named Cancer Support Suffolk. This is a local charity and we wish to give back to the community by supporting this event. 

The golf day is one of many events held over the course of the year. Events like this attract welcome funds to support them.

Cancer support in Suffolk

At Cancer Support Suffolk they are focused on life before, during and after cancer. They aim to educate our Suffolk community about the signs and symptoms prior to its arrival, support cancer patients during treatment through non-clinical therapies and provide a safe space in their wellbeing workshops in the latter part of treatment and beyond.

We at Billie Box want to support them wherever possible and with such a large percentage of us having experienced cancer in some way (all three of us included), it is our way of giving back and knowing we can make a difference to our local community.

Our Commitment to the Community

Here at Billie Box, we are dedicated to supporting the local community. There are many worthy charities that need our help. 

We try to build trust by giving back to our local community. We feel that by supporting our community our customers understand and put trust in our work ethics. It creates social responsibility, demonstrates our commitment and enforces our good reputation.

The Importance of Supporting Cancer Support in Suffolk

Set up in 1998, Cancer Support Suffolk is run with a passion for helping the Suffolk community. Their dedicated team includes complementary therapists, counsellors, educators, ambassadors and business brains that come together to educate and support the people of Suffolk.

Sadly, cancer probably won’t be eradicated totally in our lifetime and so for as long it is here, there will always be a need for this great charity.

If you wish to see how this charity has made a difference to people’s lives, then have a look at their website.

Conclusion

We wish the day a great success and look forward to seeing photos of the day and hearing how much has been raised for this fantastic charity.

Do Shipping Containers Require Planning Permission in the UK?

Jane on July 3, 2024

We are asked many times whether a shipping container requires planning permission. 

The answer is often no, but some councils have different rules when it comes to planning permission. 

In short, we recommend you speak to your local planning department for advice. 

What is planning permission?

It is formal permission from a local authority for the erection or alteration of buildings or a similar development. For more information, the Government has a website to find out all about planning.

When is planning permission required?

There are many factors to consider when requesting planning consent; the following (not an exhaustive list) are just some examples:

  • Areas of outstanding natural beauty
  • Conservation areas
  • Neighbours
  • Quantity of containers 
  • Sizes and types of shipping container
  • Change of use
  • Whether it benefits the community
  • How long the shipping container is required in the same position
  • Temporary or permanent
  • For private or commercial use

Exemptions and Permitted Development Rights

When you speak to your local authority, you can advise them that a shipping container is a temporary structure and can be moved at any time with specialist equipment. 

Some councils feel this is sufficient to say that planning permission is not required, but others may not. 

The local authority’s decision is final, although you can appeal if you feel there are circumstances that the council have not factored into their decision-making process.

How to apply for Planning Permission

You will need to contact your local authority, asking for the “planning department”. 

The department will advise you on whether you need planning consent or not. 

If you need planning permission the department will advise you how the application process works, e.g. what sort of documents you have to complete and return to the department for their consideration.

Planning consent may take many weeks to actually grant. Different areas of the country will take a different number of weeks. It depends on how many cases they have to deal with.

Potential challenges and how to overcome them

There can be many hurdles you will have to jump in order to get a planning permission request granted by your local authority.

We recommend you go prepared with as much detail as possible. Giving full details of your project will help with your planning consent.

Some things to think about (not an exhaustive list):

  • How it will affect the local community
  • Whether you need road closures
  • Whether it will affect the environment

If you feel there are issues with this project, then give reasonable solutions to rectify them.

If you don’t apply for planning consent beforehand, then retrospective is a possibility. However, we recommend you check with your local authority beforehand, to avoid disappointment and wasting time and money.

Case Studies

Many years ago we hired a 10ft container to a local business, on an industrial site near to a residential site. The customer spoke to the local authority to see if planning permission was required. The reply was “No, you don’t need planning permission”.

Sadly, after the container was delivered one of the residential neighbours complained to the council about said container. 

Our customer tried ‘retrospective’ planning permission. Unfortunately, as the council had received a complaint from a resident, they told the customer to remove the container. 

It’s always best to check with your local council, to avoid disappointment.

Benefits of consulting an expert

It is always best to consult an expert in the shipping container industry. We at Billie Box can guide you with requesting planning permission for your shipping container.

We have been selling and renting shipping containers for storage for over 12 years and Jane, Matt and Clare have a combined container knowledge of over 60 years.

Conclusion

We at Billie Box always feel it’s best to do your due diligence before spending large amounts of money and time on your project. 

We recommend you come to us for advice when speaking to your local authority’s planning department.

Call us at Billie Box, today, for our advice T: 0800 121 7388 or complete our ‘Get a Quote form‘ here.

Ask Clare, Jane or Matt (L-R) about planning permission for your shipping container
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