Our delivery guidelines are designed to ensure a smooth, safe, and hassle-free delivery of your shipping container. Please take a few minutes to read the information below before your scheduled delivery. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team.
Delivery Site Requirements
Both the delivery location where your container will be placed and the area where the delivery truck parks during unloading must be on firm, level ground. A slight incline of no more than 5 degrees is acceptable.
If the HIAB truck is required to travel or unload on uneven or sloping terrain, there is a risk of damage to the equipment. For safety reasons, our driver may refuse to complete the delivery if the site is deemed unsafe.
Suitable Road Surfaces
The ideal delivery surfaces are:
- Concrete
- Asphalt
- Paved roads
We are happy to deliver to rural properties; however, the delivery route must, at a minimum, be accessible via a maintained two-lane road.
The following surfaces are generally unsuitable for delivery:
- Loose dirt
- Deep sand
- Muddy or flooded areas
- Soft grass or unstable ground
- Uneven terrain
Before delivery, please inspect the site and remove any obstacles such as rocks, tree stumps, construction materials, or other debris that could interfere with the delivery or damage our equipment.
Weight Distribution
To ensure your container remains level and operates correctly, its weight should rest evenly on all four steel corner castings.
Uneven support may cause the container to twist slightly, which can make the doors difficult to open and close.
If necessary, you may use:
- Concrete pavers
- Hardwood blocks
- Railroad sleepers (railway ties)
Please ensure all supports are level before the container is placed.
Height and Width Clearance
A minimum clearance of 14 feet (4.3 metres) in both height and width is generally required for delivery.
During unloading, the HIAB truck lifts the container before positioning it. Although the container itself is approximately 8.5 feet high, additional lifting clearance is required.
Please ensure there are no obstructions such as:
- Low-hanging tree branches
- Gates
- Power lines
- Roof eaves
- Arches
- Fences
- Other overhead obstacles
Limited visibility can create safety risks during delivery. We recommend having two people available on-site to assist the driver by watching for obstacles while the container is being positioned.
Forklift Delivery Option
If access to your property is too restricted for a HIAB truck, please let us know before your delivery date.
Our delivery team can arrange a forklift-assisted delivery, allowing the container to be moved safely into tighter spaces or difficult locations.
Please note: Forklift-assisted deliveries incur an additional delivery charge.
Minimum Space Requirements
To safely unload your container, our trucks require adequate straight-line clearance.
- 10FT Container: Minimum 40 feet (12 metres) of straight-line access
- 20FT Container: Minimum 60 feet (18 metres) of straight-line access
- 40FT Container: Minimum 100 feet (30 metres) of straight-line access
If your site does not provide the required clearance, please request a forklift-assisted delivery when placing your order.
Need Assistance?
If you are unsure whether your site is suitable for delivery, simply contact SH Containers Limited® before placing your order. Our experienced team will be happy to assess your access requirements and recommend the safest and most cost-effective delivery solution.