Padlocks and Lockboxes for Shipping Container Security
Thursday 8 May 2014
Updated: Friday 16 January 2026
Filed in: General
Thieves and vandals target weak and exposed container locks. To keep your container and its contents safe, the right padlock and lock box is essential. Beat the burglars by finding out all you need to know to lock your shipping container securely.
Why you should use a lock box
While shipping containers are known for being highly robust and secure compared to other types of storage units, they are often sited in areas that can be secluded, off the beaten track and not well-lit - which can encourage thieves and vandals to "have a pop" after dark. Make sure they leave empty-handed by investing in a lock box and the correct padlock if you're storing goods of any value in your storage container. A lock box is a steel cover (sometimes known as a padlock cowl) that securely encases the container padlock, so it is difficult for thieves to access the lock and jemmy it off. Only the key holder can remove the padlock without the use of specialist industrial equipment. This heavy-gauge steel shroud makes it far harder to attack with bolt cutters or pry bars. It also gives weather protection, so the padlock isn't left open to the elements where it could freeze or rust over time. 
What type of padlock do you need for a shipping container?
It is essential to have the correct sized padlock for the lock box - it must fit snugly to prevent access, other than with the key, so a shutter padlock is the best design for this purpose. Its straight shackle allows the padlock to be positioned and locked inside the protective housing of the lock box, where bolt cutters and hacksaws can't reach. A straight shackle rather than the typical U-shaped shackle also means you can simply align the padlock with the loop inside the enclosed lockbox and slide the shackle closed. For tips and tricks beyond locks and keys to foil the thieves, read How To Secure Your Shipping Container.
The diagram below illustrates the padlock dimensions needed to fit the lock boxes provided by Containers Direct. You can purchase a discounted padlock to fit, direct with your container order, for £45.00 plus VAT. Manufactured in Italy, the quality of these specially designed container locks is unbeatable, and combined with a lock box, even the most determined intruders will meet their match.*
Padlock features
- Hardened steel shackle, nickel-plated
- Hardened steel rotating cylinder
- 3 keys suppled with each lock
Padlock measurements
| Specifications | A | B | C | D | E | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm | 75 | 59 | 14 | 12 | 28 | 30 |
*Please note- for some container products padlocks specs may vary
FAQs about shipping container security
- What padlock size fits a shipping container?
- Are container locks weatherproof?
- Can I fit a lock box myself?
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