Guide to the Differences Between 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft HC Containers
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Guide to the Differences Between 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft HC Containers
Sea freight containers are standardized mainly in three sizes: 20-foot, 40-foot, and 40-foot high cube containers. Understanding these sizes helps you make informed decisions based on your shipping needs.
This guide provides a detailed look at the dimensions, types, weights, and capacities of the 20ft Container, 40ft Container, and 40ft HC Containers.
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Specifications and Dimensions of Shipping Containers
Container Type
External Dimensions (L x W x H)
Internal Dimensions (L x W x H)
Tare Weight (lbs)
Maximum Payload (lbs)
Cubic Capacity (CBM)
20ft General Container
20 ft x 8 ft x 8.6 ft
19 ft 4 in x 7 ft 9 in x 7 ft 10 in
4,850
52,000
33
20ft Open Top Container
20 ft x 8 ft x 8.6 ft
19.4 ft x 7.7 ft x Variable
4,900
62,300
32.7
20ft Flat Rack Container
20 ft x 8 ft x 7.9 ft
18.6 ft x 7.7 ft x 7.7 ft
5,070
67,200
32.7
20ft Refrigerated Container
20 ft x 8 ft x 8.6 ft
17.4 ft x 7.7 ft x 7.5 ft
6,790
62,350
28.3
40ft General Container
40 ft x 8 ft x 8.6 ft
39 ft 5.5 in x 7 ft 8 in x 7 ft 9.5 in
8,200
58,920
67.7
40ft Open Top Container
40 ft x 8 ft x 8.6 ft
39 ft 5.5 in x 7 ft 8 in x 7 ft 8 in
8,400
58,800
66.7
40ft Flat Rack Container
40 ft x 8 ft x 7 ft
39 ft x 7.7 ft x 7 ft
11,025
88,200
62.2
40ft Refrigerated Container
40 ft x 8 ft x 8.6 ft
37.7 ft x 7.7 ft x 7.6 ft
9,744
65,212
67.6
40ft HC Container
40 ft x 8 ft x 9.6 ft
39 ft 5 in x 7 ft 8 in x 8 ft 10 in
8,598
65,212
76.2
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What are the dimensions and weight of a 20ft container?
A 20ft shipping container is widely used in global trade for transporting dry cargo such as machinery, textiles, medical equipment, electronics, and other non-perishable goods. Below are the standard dimensions and weight specifications for a 20-foot General Purpose (GP) container:
Specification
Measurement
External Length
20 feet (6.06 meters)
External Width
8 feet (2.44 meters)
External Height
8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
Internal Length
19 feet 4 inches (5.60 meters)
Internal Width
7 feet 9 inches (2.35 meters)
Internal Height
7 feet 10 inches (2.39 meters)
Tare Weight
4,850 lbs (2,200 kg)
Maximum Payload
48,000 to 52,000 lbs (21,770 to 24,000 kg)
Cubic Capacity
1,172 cubic feet (33 CBM)
This table provides a clear overview of the 20ft container specifications, making it easy to understand its capacity and dimensions for shipping dry cargo.
What Is the Weight Capacity of a 20ft Shipping Container?
The load-bearing capacity of a 20-foot shipping container varies based on its type and design. Here are the general weight guidelines:
Payload Capacity: The amount of cargo a 20ft container can carry typically ranges from 26,000 to 28,000 kilograms (approximately 57,320 to 61,730 pounds).
Tare Weight: The weight of an empty 20-foot container is usually around 2,200 to 2,400 kilograms (about 4,850 to 5,291 pounds).
Gross Weight: The combined weight of the container and its maximum cargo load is typically between 28,000 and 30,000 kilograms (approximately 61,730 to 66,139 pounds).
These figures provide a general understanding of the weight capacity for a standard 20ft container, though actual specifications can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and container type.
20ft Container Size and Capacity
Here’s a breakdown of the various types of 20ft containers, including General Purpose, Open Top, Flat Rack, and Refrigerated Containers:
Container Type
External Dimensions
Internal Dimensions
Tare Weight
Maximum Payload
Cubic Capacity
20ft General Purpose
20 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
19 ft 4 in (L) x 7 ft 9 in (W) x 7 ft 10 in (H)
4,850 lbs
48,000 – 52,000 lbs
1,172 cubic feet
20ft Open Top
20 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
19 ft 4 in (L) x 7 ft 7 in (W) x variable height
N/A
62,300 lbs
1,155 cubic feet
20ft Flat Rack
20 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 7 ft 9 in (H)
No side walls or roof
N/A
67,200 lbs
1,154 cubic feet
20ft Refrigerated
20 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
17 ft 4 in (L) x 7 ft 7 in (W) x 7 ft 5 in (H)
N/A
62,350 lbs
1,000 cubic feet
Details of Each Container Type:
20ft General Purpose Container: Typically used for dry cargo such as machinery, textiles, and electronics. It offers a substantial cubic capacity and payload to accommodate a variety of goods.
20ft Open Top Container: Ideal for items that need to be loaded from the top by a crane or other equipment. It is covered with a removable tarp for weather protection.
20ft Flat Rack Container: Designed for oversized cargo, these containers have no side walls or roof, facilitating easier loading and unloading of bulky items.
20ft Refrigerated Container: Used for perishable goods that require temperature control during transportation.
This table and breakdown give a clear overview of the size and capacity specifications for the different types of 20ft containers, making it easy to choose the right container based on cargo and transportation needs.
What Are the Dimensions and Weight of a 40ft Shipping Container?
A 40ft container is typically used for transporting large volumes of goods. Below are the standard dimensions and weight specifications for a 40-foot General Purpose (GP) container:
External Dimensions:
Length: 40 feet (12.19 meters)
Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
Internal Dimensions:
Length: 39 feet 5.5 inches (12.03 meters)
Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.35 meters)
Height: 7 feet 9.5 inches (2.38 meters)
Tare Weight:
Approximately 8,200 lbs (3,720 kg)
Maximum Payload:
58,920 lbs (26,760 kg)
Cubic Capacity:
2,389 cubic feet (67.7 CBM)
What Is the Weight Capacity of a 40ft Shipping Container?
The weight capacity of a 40ft shipping container depends on whether it’s a standard or high-cube container. Below are the details:
Container Type
Maximum Payload
Gross Weight
Tare Weight
40ft Standard
26,860 kg
30,480 kg
3,620 kg
40ft High Cube
26,660 kg
30,480 kg
3,820 kg
Maximum Payload: Refers to the amount of cargo that can be loaded into the container.
Gross Weight: The combined weight of the container and its maximum cargo.
Tare Weight: The weight of the empty container.
This table provides a clear comparison between the 40ft standard and 40ft high-cube containers, highlighting their cargo-carrying capacity and tare weights.
40ft Container Size and Capacity
40-foot containers come in various types, including General Purpose, Open Top, Flat Rack, and Refrigerated models. Below is a breakdown of the size and capacity for each type.
Container Type
External Dimensions
Internal Dimensions
Maximum Payload
Cubic Capacity
40ft General Purpose
40 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
39 ft 5.5 in (L) x 7 ft 8 in (W) x 7 ft 9.5 in (H)
58,920 lbs
2,389 cubic feet
40ft Open Top
40 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
Similar to General Purpose
58,800 lbs
2,360 cubic feet
40ft Flat Rack
40 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
Open sides and top
88,200 lbs
2,195.7 cubic feet
40ft Refrigerated
40 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 8 ft 6 in (H)
Insulated with temperature control
65,212 lbs
2,388 cubic feet
40ft High Cube Containers: Size and Capacity
The 40ft High Cube (HC) container is taller by one foot compared to standard containers, making it ideal for larger or taller cargo.
Container Type
External Dimensions
Maximum Payload
Cubic Capacity
40ft High Cube
40 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 9 ft 6 in (H)
65,212 lbs
2,694 cubic feet
This table provides a clear and concise overview of the dimensions and capacity for each type of 40ft container, including the high cube variant.
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What Are High Cube Containers Used For?
High Cube (HC) containers are designed to accommodate larger or taller cargo, providing greater capacity. They are ideal for industrial equipment, oversized crates, or bulky furniture.
Pallet Capacity in HC Containers
Europallets (48 in x 30 in): Approximately 23-25 pallets can fit in a 40ft HC container.
US Pallets (48″ x 40″): Approximately 20-21 pallets can be accommodated, ensuring they do not extend beyond the container sides.
How Many Pallets Can A Container Hold?
A 20-foot container typically carries about 11 Europallets or 10-11 US standard pallets.
A 40-foot container can hold 23-24 Europallets or 20-21 US standard pallets, depending on the arrangement and efficiency of loading.
How to Make Containers Carry More Cargo
Maximizing the cargo capacity of shipping containers is crucial for cost-efficiency and effective logistics. Here are some key strategies to help your containers carry more cargo:
Cargo Planning and Preparation
Evaluate and Classify Cargo: Assess items based on size, weight, and fragility to determine the best packing methods.
Pack Efficiently: Place smaller items into larger containers to minimize unused space and reduce the total number of containers needed.
Optimize Space with Stacking and Racking Systems
Efficient Stacking: Stack goods by considering weight distribution and stability to avoid shifting during transit.
Use Racking Systems: Utilize pallets, racks, or custom racking systems for efficient container loading, helping you make the best use of available space.
Vertical Space Utilization: Implement stacking techniques to maximize vertical space without compromising the integrity of the cargo.
Implement Integration and Spin-Off Strategies
Consolidation: Combine multiple shipments from different sources into a single container. This minimizes the number of containers required and maximizes the loading capacity.
Unpacking (Deconsolidation): Split cargo based on its destination. This reduces shipping time and delivery costs by sendin
