Shipping Container Lock Box
A shipping container lock box is a steel box that bolts onto the cargo doors and encloses the padlock, so bolt cutters can’t get a grip on the shackle and cutting tools have a much harder time reaching it. Ours is 4″ × 6″ × 8″, made of ¼″ steel, and starts at $94 this week, before delivery. Order it with your container and it comes on the same delivery, priced into the same quote.
Illustrative image How a lock box protects your container
A padlock on its own leaves the shackle exposed to bolt cutters. The lock box surrounds the padlock on the door, so there’s nothing to grip. It bolts on, so you can fit it yourself after delivery with a drill and a socket wrench.
How secure is that? No lock box makes a container impossible to open: with power tools and enough time, steel can be cut. What it does is take away the quick attack, a pair of bolt cutters on an exposed shackle, so getting in takes power tools, time and noise.
Want the inside locking bars secured too? Add a heavy-duty container door lock.
Specs
| Size | 4″ × 6″ × 8″ (about 10 × 15 × 20 cm) |
|---|---|
| Steel thickness | ¼″ (6.35 mm) |
| Mounting | Bolt-on, no welding; about 15–20 minutes |
| Mounting height | 42″–60″ (1.07–1.52 m) from the ground |
| Fits | Swing cargo doors with locking rods (not roll-up doors) |
What’s included
- Lock box
- Grade 5 carriage bolts, washers and backing plates (they double as drilling templates)
- Installation instructions
Not included
- Padlock
- Tools: electric drill, 5/8″ drill bit, 3/4″ socket wrench, tape measure and marker
Frequently asked questions
Is a padlock included?
No. The lock box comes with its mounting hardware and instructions; you supply the padlock.
What size padlock do I need for a shipping container?
Container lock boxes are commonly sized for a heavy-duty container padlock about 75–80 mm (3–3⅛″) wide, with a shackle around ⅜″ thick; some are made for a disc (puck) lock instead. Ask each seller which padlock fits the box it offers.
Does it fit every container?
It fits the swing cargo doors with locking rods found on our containers, including the end doors of open side and double door models. It doesn’t fit roll-up doors.
Do I need to weld it?
No. It bolts on in about 15–20 minutes; you’ll need an electric drill, a 5/8″ bit and a 3/4″ socket wrench.
Does drilling the doors affect the guarantee?
Whether drilling or cutting the container to fit a lock box, vents or a roll-up door yourself affects its guarantee depends on the seller: check its quote, or ask, before you drill or cut. What to check in a quote.
How else can I lock up a container?
Pair the lock box with a lock on the inside locking bars: how to lock up a shipping container.
See all shipping container accessories or all shipping containers.