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)

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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 sending only what’s needed to each specific location.

By incorporating these strategies, you can make better use of each container, ultimately reducing shipping costs and improving overall efficiency.

Maximizing Cargo in Containers

 

Effective cargo management is essential for optimizing container use:

Cargo Planning and Preparation

• Evaluate and classify cargo based on size, weight, and fragility.
• Pack strategically to minimize unused space.

Optimize Space

• Stack goods efficiently, considering weight distribution and stability.
• Use racking systems designed for efficient loading.
• Utilize vertical space with appropriate stacking techniques without compromising cargo integrity.

Implement Integration and Spin-off Strategies

• Group and split cargo based on destination and accessibility.
• Consolidation: Combine multiple shipments into a single container to minimize the number of containers needed and maximize loading capacity.
• Deconsolidation: Divide a container into multiple shipments for specific destinations to reduce shipping time and costs.

 

By understanding these container specifications and employing strategic loading techniques, you can significantly enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your shipping operations. Whether you’re importing goods from China or shipping domestically, choosing the right container and properly planning your cargo can lead to substantial benefits.

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Further Reading

 

Shipping Cost From China to Singapore (Updated April 2024)

The Complete Guide of Standard Pallet

How to Choose Air Freight Forwarder

Shipping Container Specifications

How to calculate Chargeable Weight, Actual Weight and Volumetric Weight

How much is the Cost of Shipping Containers in 2024

AMAZON FBA BOX SIZE LIMIT – How to choose the right size For your Products

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