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Container Finance

For financing the purchase or lease of shipping containers and storage containers.

 

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Container Finance

Container finance refers to the various financing options available for UK businesses to acquire shipping containers and storage containers without the large upfront capital expenditure.

These containers are critical assets for companies in industries like logistics, transportation, storage, import/export, and construction among others.

Container finance allows you to spread the cost of purchasing or leasing containers over an extended period through affordable monthly payments.

This preserves working capital and provides flexible financing solutions tailored to your specific equipment needs and growth plans.

Read the full guide below

  • Finance for purchasing or leaseing shipping containers and storage containers from £25,000
  • Competitive container finance options that often outperforms dealer offers
  • Tailored bespoke service
  • Flexible repayment periods
  • Business owners - Refinance existing assets to free up your company's liquid capital
  • Asset finance for containers; shipping, transportation, storage etc.

Read the full guide below

Why Our Customers Trust Us

With expert guidance, asset finance can provide an essential, versatile, and cost-effective solution.

business finance rates

Market-Leading Rates

We provide access to market-leading rates for every client, thanks to our relationships with business finance lenders across the market.

Award Winning Team

Multi-Award-Winning Team

Our team of asset finance advisers have years of experience and are qualified to the highest level. We're proud to have numerous customer service awards to our name.

independent advice

Fully Independent

As an independent brokerage, we focus on your best interests when comparing asset finance options: from costs and terms to speed of service.

To book a free, no-obligation call with an adviser to discuss your options, contact us today.

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Our Experts

Our dedicated asset finance team have deep industry knowledge and years of experience.

Jon Moffatt

Jonathan Moffatt

Head of Business Finance

Ben Francis

Ben Francis

Finance Executive

James Ellcaott

James Ellacott

Commercial Finance Broker

How We Work

1. Get a Customised Quote

Our asset finance brokers will get an understanding of your business and your requirements, look at your financial forecasts and accounts, and provide a sense-check on what product(s) will best fit your needs, as well as how much you could borrow, and what the costs and terms could look like.

2. Compare Options

When you’re happy with the proposed solution, we’ll go away and compare options across the market. We’ll often present a range of choices ranging from lowest cost to most flexible, and we’ll talk you through the pros and cons of each if it’s a close decision.

3. Submit Your Application

If you’re happy with the terms we can source, we’ll handle the paperwork and submit your application for you. We’ll handle any issues and questions that may arise from the lender, and we’ll keep chasing your application to ensure funds are released as quickly as possible.

4. Receive Funds

You receive your finance– success! We’ll always be here for any ongoing questions or support you require during your loan term. 

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Star Success Stories

Read some of our latest business finance case studies below.

Fast Asset Finance for Two Tractors at Low Rate

Capital Raised 558K
Somerset

The Scenario

An agricultural plant hire business faced an urgent need to finance two new tractors for multiple pre-booked, 20-hour workdays starting the following week.

The client had a £100,000 deposit and required £558,000 in funding, including a VAT deferral to align with HMRC refund timelines. While the tractor supplier's finance company offered terms, the client sought better options and approached Clifton Private Finance for a solution.

The Solution

Clifton Private Finance acted swiftly, presenting the client’s case to a select group of agricultural finance lenders known for their market expertise and flexibility. Leveraging our established relationship with a trusted lender, we secured an asset finance product that balanced cost-effectiveness with the urgent delivery timeline.

The chosen lender not only provided competitive terms but also ensured the tractors could be delivered on-site within the required timeframe. Additionally, we arranged for a VAT deferral, allowing the client three months to pay the VAT portion of the purchase, which aligned with the HMRC refund process.

Within a week of reaching out to us, the client had the funds to complete the purchase and deployed the tractors immediately, generating revenue from day one. This swift and tailored solution saved the client unnecessary expenses and ensured they capitalized on new business opportunities without delay.

By addressing both the financial and logistical challenges, Clifton Private Finance delivered a seamless outcome, enabling the client to maintain operations and maximize their investment's profitability.

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Growth Guarantee Scheme - Refurb Loan for Accountancy Firm Office

Capital Raised 50K
Scotland

The Scenario

A Scottish business owner sought to refurbish their office space to create a more comfortable environment for employees and clients while upgrading computer systems for smoother operations.

However, the company faced financial challenges, including limited cash flow and a middling balance sheet, which made securing funding difficult. Despite approaching multiple lenders, the client encountered rejections and high-interest loan offers. Determined to find a solution, they turned to Clifton Private Finance for guidance.

The Solution

Clifton Private Finance assessed the client’s financial situation and submitted an asset finance loan request to a range of lenders. Understanding the client’s cash flow concerns, our broker identified an opportunity to secure a Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) loan—a government-backed program offering added security for lenders and borrowers. The GGS loan ensured that if the client faced repayment difficulties, the government could step in temporarily, alleviating lender risk.

After diligent efforts, our team secured a £50,000 GGS loan with a personal guarantee at a competitive interest rate, allowing the client to proceed with their refurbishment plans. This tailored solution met the client’s funding needs, minimized delays, and provided peace of mind.

The process was smooth and efficient thanks to Clifton Private Finance's expertise and strong lender relationships. The client transformed their office into a welcoming space for staff and customers, enhancing their business operations and brand image.

If you’re a business owner seeking asset finance solutions, Clifton Private Finance is here to help, ensuring every detail is addressed to deliver outstanding results.

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Asset Finance Loan for Pharmaceutical Business

Capital Raised £13m
London

The Scenario

A large pharmaceutical corporation approached us seeking financing options for a major logistics expansion project.

They needed to purchase robotics equipment, conveyor belts, and dedicated software to enhance their operations, requiring a total of £13m in funding.

The company had already received quotes for traditional unsecured business loans through their existing relationships, but wanted to explore the possibility of more cost-effective alternatives.

The Solution

After carefully analysing the client's needs and financial situation, we advised on and secured approval for a £13 million asset finance credit line.

Key features of this solution included:

  • Secured Loan: The loan was secured against the equipment being purchased, allowing for much more favorable terms.
  • Significant Cost Savings: Because of this, we secured an interest rate 2 percentage points below the quote they had received for an unsecured loan (resulting in very significant savings on £13 million).
  • Flexible Drawdown: The credit line allows for multiple drawdowns at different times throughout the project, with each hire purchase only crystallising at the point of drawdown.
  • Interest Efficiency: The client only pays interest on the amount drawn down at each stage, rather than on the full loan amount from day one.
  • Repayment Flexibility: Repayments are also only made on the amounts drawn down, improving business cash flow management.

Even though the business could have likely funded the equipment with their existing cash, they chose to finance the project for a number of reasons:

  • By opting for asset finance, the company preserves cash for other business expenses rather than tying it up in assets.
  • The interest paid on the business loan is tax-deductible and hits the profit and loss sheet, so can ultimately be offset against their corporation tax liability.

This case demonstrates our ability to provide innovative financial solutions for large corporations, leveraging our expertise in asset finance to achieve substantial cost savings and enhanced flexibility compared to traditional lending options.

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Speak to an asset finance specialist today

Get the funding your business needs to reach its full potential. We’ll guide you through the process and take care of the heavy lifting. 

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Container Finance

A Guide

Contents

Types of Containers for Finance

UK businesses can finance several container types and sizes depending on their precise requirements and the type of business. Here's a look at some of the popular options.

Shipping/Freight Containers

  • Dry storage containers (20ft, 40ft, etc.)
  • Refrigerated containers
  • Flat rack containers
  • Open top containers
  • Tank containers for liquids/gases

Storage Containers

  • Standard dry storage (8ft, 10ft, 20ft, 40ft)
  • Refrigerated storage units
  • Portable site storage units
  • Converted portable offices

Container finance can cover the funding for new containers directly from manufacturers or the purchase of used/reconditioned units from resellers and auctions across the UK. At Clifton Private Finance, we can source lenders on your behalf - making the process simple, and stress-free. Well get you connected to one of our specialist lenders and source you the right type of container finance in a matter of days, depending on the complexity of your needs.

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Container Financing Options

Hire Purchase

A hire purchase agreement allows you to effectively rent the container(s) through fixed monthly payments over 3-5 years. At the end of the term, you automatically become the owner by making a final 'balloon' payment of the remaining value. This is a popular option for businesses wanting to own the containers ultimately.

Finance Leases

Similar to a hire purchase but with slight variations, you pay monthly rentals for an agreed term (2-7 years typically), after which you have two options:

  • Return the container(s) with nothing further to pay
  • Make a final balloon payment to purchase the container(s) at the residual value

Operating Leases

An operating lease is a rental agreement providing you with container(s) for a fixed period of 12-60 months. In the end, you simply renew for a new container or return it to the finance company with no option for purchase.

Container Refinance

If you already own containers outright, you can release cash tied up in this equipment through a refinancing agreement. The finance company will purchase the existing containers and then lease them back to you over 3-5 years.

Container Buy-Back Programs

Some financiers offer buy-back options where they commit to purchasing the container(s) back from you within a set future timeframe, such as 3 or 5 years. This gives additional flexibility.

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The Container Finance Process

Obtaining financing for containers in the UK typically follows the same rules as any other type of asset finance. There are a few crucial steps to go over, but at Clifton Private Finance we can simplify an otherwise complex. We do the heavy lifting so you don't have to. Here's a brief overview of the general steps involved in securing container finance: 

  • Requirements Assessment - Discuss your container requirements and usage plans with our expert finance consultants. We'll assess the optimal finance product and term for your circumstances.

  • Container Valuations - We arrange for inspection and independent valuations of any existing containers you may want to refinance.

  • Proposal & Quotations - Our finance experts will model different scenarios and present you with competitive quotes from leading UK container finance providers.

  • Underwriting & Approvals - Once you accept the proposal terms, the finance partner will conduct credit and background checks on your business before final approval.

  • Documentation - Complete the finance and lease documentation, including direct debit mandates and any security registrations required.

  • Delivery & Payment - The financed amount is paid out to the container supplier/seller, and the container(s) are delivered to your premises ready for immediate use.

  • Asset Management - Simply follow the monthly payment schedule. Finance partners can help facilitate container maintenance, replacements etc. if needed.

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What are the Benefits of Container Finance?

  • Preserve Working Capital Container finance allows you to obtain essential equipment without committing large capital expenditures upfront. This frees up vital cash flow for other investment and operating needs.
  • Scale Fleet Flexibility With finance options like operating leases, you can easily scale your container fleet up or down as business requirements change without being locked into permanent ownership.
  • Tax Efficiency The monthly payments made on financed container lease agreements can potentially be treated as tax-deductible operational expenditures for your business.
  • New Equipment Access Whether financing new or used containers, you can always access the latest equipment models and specifications to facilitate your operations without a long-term commitment.
  • End-of-Life Management At the end of a finance term, you can simply return containers and avoid the hassles and costs associated with disposing of or selling aged assets yourself.

Container Finance Experts - Clifton Private Finance

At Clifton Private Finance, our team of container finance specialists have over 20 years of experience in sourcing competitive financing and leasing solutions for all types of containers, and more, across the UK.

With strong partnerships across leading specialist lenders, finance houses, and container suppliers, we can tailor container finance packages to meet your precise business requirements at the most cost-effective terms available. Our expertise includes:

  • Comprehensive container financing options (hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, refinancing, buy-back agreements)
  • Access to new, used, and reconditioned containers from top manufacturers and suppliers
  • Flexible terms and payment structures to suit your cash flow
  • Tailored solutions for various container types (dry storage, refrigerated, tank, flat rack, open top, etc.)

We handle the entire process from initial consultation and needs analysis, all the way through to completing the finance documentation and container delivery. Our end-to-end service involves:

  • Detailed requirements assessment and expert guidance
  • Independent container valuations and inspection
  • Competitive quotes from our extensive lender panel
  • Streamlined underwriting and approvals process
  • Handling documentation and asset registration formalities
  • Coordinating container delivery and ongoing asset management

Whether you need a single container or an entire fleet, contact our experts today to discuss your container finance requirements. We offer a free no-obligation assessment to get started.

To find out more about our finance broker service, don't hesitate to contact us today. We offer a free and no-obligation telephone consultation at a time that suits you.

Call us today on 0203 900 4322 to discuss your requirements and explore the best container finance solution for your business.

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Frequently asked questions

You can find the most common questions asked about business loans below. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please email us at commercial@cliftonpf.co.uk

What is the meaning of asset finance?

Asset finance is a way of spreading the cost of equipment used by businesses over time, allowing companies to keep a strong, consistent cash flow whilst minimising upfront costs.

There are many asset finance products to choose from when considering asset finance, such as hire purchase, operating leases and finance leasing, so there are plenty of options to consider for your every business need.

What is the asset financing structure?

The asset financing structure is the financial arrangement organised between businesses and lenders to secure funding to acquire equipment that is directly related to the operation and growth of the business.

Asset financing typically involves several key elements, which are as follows:

Assets used as collateral:

A lender will likely secure finance against the asset itself or other assets, which can be tangible or intangible.

  • Tangible Assets: vehicles, construction equipment, real estate, or inventory.
  • Intangible Assets: intellectual property, accounts receivable, revenue streams.

Types of Asset Financing:

The following is a list of several products available to business owners as options for asset finance:

Leasing: Businesses that choose to lease do not outright own the asset and pay a monthly cost to use the equipment at a much lower cost than purchasing the equipment.

Hire Purchase (HP): A standard choice for businesses, this option allows you to eventually own the asset you’re paying for after the payment period has ended.

Asset-Based Lending (ABL): A business borrows money against an asset as collateral, and it’s commonly used to acquire working capital for operational or growth needs.

Loan-to-value (LTV): The loan-to-value ratio of assets is the calculation of a percentage which helps to determine the risk of the loan itself. A high LTV ratio typically indicates a higher interest rate for businesses as it’s far riskier to finance.

A low loan-to-value ratio is generally more comfortable for lenders, lower repayment periods and lower fees ensure that the asset can be repaid easily. If an asset depreciates over time, however, and becomes under-collateral, this means that the lender wouldn’t be able to fully recover the amount owed if the asset is repossessed.

Should there be a major decrease in collateral value, lenders might seek to acquire additional collateral from the business owner, or even increase fees and interest, impacting cash flow.

What is the difference between asset finance and a business loan?

Business loans are products designed for general use throughout businesses. They can be used for general business needs, including asset finance, which has the added benefit of the asset not necessarily being used as collateral for the loan itself.

Asset finance, however, is more specific: its use is for the acquisition of assets and is restricted to only that. Lenders will use the asset itself as collateral for improved lender comfort, being reclaimed in the event that you do not pay your asset finance.

One major distinction between asset finance and business loans is interest rate: asset finance interest is typically lower compared to unsecured business loan interest, which is notably higher.

What are the risks of asset finance?

Should you fail to repay your asset finance, you can face an impacted credit score and ultimately lose the asset in a repossession.

Depending on the asset you’re funding, there’s also a risk of depreciation - particular risk for vehicle finance.

In some cases, if a machine you’re financing is essential to the functioning of your business operations, then factors such as depreciation or loss of efficiency of the equipment can cause lender discomfort, leading to slightly higher interest rates.

Who needs equipment financing?

Equipment financing is typically used by growing businesses looking to limit the impact on cash flow from an expensive piece of equipment by spreading the cost over a period of time.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can use equipment finance to limit the loss of capital and scale up operations without a massive upfront cost to deal with. Accessing equipment finance isn’t limited to a single industry, its uses spread from healthcare with MRI scanners, to construction, manufacturing, agriculture and more.

Let us do all the hard work of finding the right product and lender for your circumstances. We secure business finance for applications of all types, and we negotiate competitive lending to meet your needs and timescales.

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Jonathan Moffatt
Head of Business Finance

Clifton PF
Clifton PF Clifton PF Clifton PF
helpdesk@cliftonpf.co.uk Book a consultation
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Clifton Private Finance
2 Portland Street
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East Tyndall Street
Cardiff
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02921 053 844

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Unit 9, Frome Business Park
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Frome
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Clifton Private Finance Limited is an Appointed Representative of Fair Investment Company Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under number 192852. We are a credit broker, not a lender. We may receive commission from the lender and this amount varies between lenders. The nature of any commission model will be confirmed to you before you proceed.

Registered Office: 2 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JH. Tel: 0117 205 4836
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