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.
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 |
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 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.
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