Refund & Return Policy

We would rather you had the right unit than a refund. This page sets out exactly what happens if something goes wrong, what it costs you, and what it does not. Please read it before you order — particularly the section on what cannot be returned.

The short version

• Before dispatch: cancel any order for a full refund, no charge.
• Damaged, faulty or not what you ordered: we put it right at our cost. Tell us within 48 hours of delivery.
• Changed your mind: stock units can be returned within 30 days of delivery. We charge no restocking fee — you pay only the return freight, and we quote it in writing before you commit.
• Custom-built and modified units cannot be returned once production has started.
• Refunds are paid within 5–10 business days of the unit arriving back and passing inspection.

Cancelling before your unit ships

You can cancel any order for a full refund, with no fee of any kind, at any time before the unit is dispatched. Email us with your order number and we will confirm the cancellation and refund in writing.

The one exception is custom-built and modified units: once production has started on a unit built to your specification, it can no longer be cancelled. We will always tell you when production is about to begin so you have a clear last chance to change your mind.

If your unit arrives damaged, faulty, or is not what you ordered

This is on us, and you will not be out of pocket. We will repair, replace or refund the unit, and we cover the return freight in full.

1. Inspect the container before the driver leaves. This is the single most useful thing you can do. Walk the unit, check the roof line, door seals and floor.
2. Note any damage at the point of delivery before signing the delivery off.
3. Contact us in writing within 48 hours of delivery, with photographs showing the problem.

We ask for 48 hours because after that we can no longer reliably tell transit damage apart from damage that happened on site. Claims made later may not be accepted, so please do not leave it.

The same applies if the unit that arrives is the wrong size, wrong grade, or materially different from its description on the product page.

Returning a stock unit within 30 days

If you have simply changed your mind, you may return a stock unit within 30 days of delivery, provided:

• it is in the same condition as delivered, with no new damage;
• it has not been modified, cut, painted, drilled or fitted out;
• it has not been used to store goods that leave residue, odour or contamination;
• you can provide your order number as proof of purchase.

What a change-of-mind return costs you

Returning a shipping container is not like returning a parcel — a truck has to come back for it. One charge applies, and it is deducted from your refund:

• Return freight. Charged at cost, because the unit has to be collected by tilt-bed trailer.

We do not charge a restocking fee. Re-inspection and returning the unit to stock are on us.

You will never be surprised by the figure. When you request a return we confirm the return freight amount to you in writing, before you commit to anything. You can then decide whether to go ahead. Nothing is collected and nothing is charged until you have accepted the quoted amount.

This charge does not apply when the return is our fault — see the section above.

What cannot be returned

• Custom-built and modified units. Anything built, converted or fitted out to your specification. Because these are made for you, they cannot be returned to stock. Confirm the specification with us in writing before ordering.
• “As-Is” grade units, for condition. As-Is containers are sold in their current state and may have damage, which is why they are priced the way they are. You cannot return an As-Is unit because of a fault that its grade already accounts for. You can still return it if it is materially different from what was described, or if the wrong unit was delivered.
• Damage caused after delivery, including from siting on unsuitable ground, modification, overloading or misuse.
• Normal characteristics of used stock — surface rust, dents, patch paint and cosmetic marks on Cargo-Worthy, Wind & Watertight and As-Is units. See container grades for what each grade means before you buy.

How to start a return

1. Email support@atlascontainersupply.com within 30 days of delivery. Include your order number, what you would like to do, and photographs if the unit is damaged or incorrect.
2. We reply with a written return authorisation. For change-of-mind returns this states the exact return freight amount.
3. Once you accept, we arrange collection by tilt-bed trailer. Keep the site accessible in the same way it was for delivery — firm ground, a clear straight approach, and someone present.
4. The unit is inspected when it arrives back with us.
5. Your refund is issued.

Please do not arrange your own transport or send a unit back without an authorisation — we cannot process a return we are not expecting.

How and when you are refunded

Approved refunds are issued within 5–10 business days after the returned unit has been received and inspected.

Refunds are returned by the same route the payment came in. Orders paid by bank transfer are refunded by bank transfer (ACH) to the originating account — we will confirm the account details with you before sending it. Because delivery is free, there is no delivery charge to refund; return freight is handled as set out above.

Problems after 30 days

The 30-day window covers change of mind. If a structural problem appears later, contact us anyway — what is covered is set out in our warranty policy, and we would rather hear about it than not.

Questions before you order

If you are unsure whether a unit suits your site, ask first. Email support@atlascontainersupply.com or read the buyers guide, which covers condition grades, access requirements and site prep. A five-minute question beats a return.

Atlas Container Supply, 20 Pear Circle, Greenbrier, AR 72058, USA. This policy forms part of our terms of sale. Last updated 11 August 2026.