Shipping Container Dimensions

View shipping container dimensions to help you work out which container is right for you.

Container Information


20′ and 40′ dry containers are manufactured from either aluminium or steel. They are suitable for most types of cargo. Aluminium containers have a slightly larger payload than steel, and steel containers have a slightly larger internal cube.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
2300 kg28180 kg33.2 m³5.9 m2.35 m2.39 m2.34 m2.28 m
5,071.5 lbs62136.9 lbs1172 cu ft19.4 m7.7 ft7.9 ft7.7 ft7.5 ft

20′ and 40′ dry containers are manufactured from either aluminium or steel. They are suitable for most types of cargo. Aluminium containers have a slightly larger payload than steel, and steel containers have a slightly larger internal cube.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload Capacity Cubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
3750 kg26750 kg67.7 m³12.03 m2.35 m2.39 m2.34 m2.28 m
8268.8 lbs52368 lbs2389 cu ft39.5 ft7.7 ft7.9 ft7.7 ft7.5 ft

Flatracks are especially suited for heavy loads or cargo that needs loading from the top or sides, such as pipes and machinery. You will find collapsible and non-collapsible containers with or without walls. They are manufactured from steel and flatrack containers come in 20′ and 40′ sizes.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal Height
2360 kg30140 kg32.7 m³5.94 m2.35 m2.35 m
5203.8 lbs66458.7 lbs1154.3 cu ft19.5 ft7.7 ft7.7 ft

Flatracks are especially suited for heavy loads or cargo that needs loading from the top or sides, such as pipes and machinery. You will find collapsible and non-collapsible containers with or without walls. They are manufactured from steel and flatrack containers come in 20′ and 40′ sizes.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal Height
5000 kg40000 kg62.2 m³12.13 m2.40 m2.14 m
11025 lbs88200 lbs2195.7 cu ft39.8 ft7.9 ft7 ft

Garments on Hanger (GOH) containers give customers the option of using a string or bar system or a combination of both. The containers allow increased flexibility, greater load internal capacity and savings on transportation and handling cost. Garmentainers are available in 20’ and 40’ sizes.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal Length Internal Width Internal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
2300 kg28180 kg33.2 m³5.9 m2.35 m2.39 m2.34 m2.28 m
5071.5 lbs62136.9 lbs1172 cu ft19.4 ft7.7 ft7.9 ft7.7 ft7.5 ft

Garments on Hanger (GOH) containers give customers the option of using a string or bar system or a combination of both. The containers allow increased flexibility, greater load internal capacity and savings on transportation and handling cost. Garmentainers are available in 20’ and 40’ sizes.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
3750 kg28750 kg67.7 m³12.03 m2.35 m2.39 m2.34 m2.28 m
8268.8 lbs63393.8 lbs2389.8 cu ft36.5 ft7.7 ft7.9 ft7.7 ft7.5 ft

With high cube containers, you gain an extra foot in height compared with dry containers. The high cube containers are ideal for light, voluminous or bulky cargo. These extra volume containers come in 40’ and 45’ sizes in steel and aluminium.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
3940 kg28560 kg76.4 m³12.03 m2.35 m2.70 m2.34 m2.58 m
8687.7 lbs62974.8 lbs2696.9 cu ft39.5 ft7.7 ft8.9 ft7.7 ft8.5 ft

With high cube containers, you gain an extra foot in height compared with dry containers. The high cube containers are ideal for light, voluminous or bulky cargo. These extra volume containers come in 40’ and 45’ sizes in steel and aluminium.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
4820 kg27860 kg86.0 m³13.56 m2.35 m2.70 m2.34 m2.28 m
10628.1 lbs61431.3 lbs3035.8 cu ft44.5 ft7.7 ft8.9 ft7.7 ft7.5 ft

Refrigerated Containers (= Reefer Containers) are used for the carriage of the goods requiring controlled temperature in transit, such as fruit, vegetables and diary products and meat. It is fitted with a refrigeration unit which is connected to the carrying ship’s electrical power supply.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
4850 kg29150 kg67 m³11.57 m2.27 m2.55 m2.29 m2.26 m
10694.3 lbs64275.8 lbs2365.1 cu ft38 ft7.4 ft8.4 ft7.5 ft7.4 ft

An open top container has an open top covered by a tarpaulin instead of a solid roof. This enables oversized (i.e. door opening) cargo such as timber and scrap metal to be loaded from the top. These containers normally have end doors to give flexibility to loading and discharging operations.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening HeightRoof Opening WidthRoof Opening Height
2350 kg28130 kg32.5 m³5.9 m2.35 m2.38 m2.34 m2.28 m2.23 m5.44 m
5181.8 lbs62026.7 lbs1147.3 cu ft19.3 ft7.7 ft7.8 ft7.7 ft7.4 ft7.3 ft17.8 ft

An open top container has an open top covered by a tarpaulin instead of a solid roof. This enables oversized (i.e. door opening) cargo such as timber and scrap metal to be loaded from the top. These containers normally have end doors to give flexibility to loading and discharging operations.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening HeightRoof Opening WidthRoof Opening Height
3850 kg26630 kg66.4 m³12.03 m2.35 m2.38 m2.34 m2.29 m2.21 m11.57 m
8489.3 lbs58719.2 lbs2343.9 cu ft39.5 ft7.7 ft7.8 ft7.7 ft7.5 ft7.3 ft38 ft

Platform containers are without sides, ends or roof. They are used for awkwardly shaped cargoes which cannot fit on or in any other type of container.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityInternal LengthInternal Width
2740 kg31260 kg6.06 m2.44 m
6041.7 lbs68928.3 lbs19.9 ft8 ft

Platform containers are without sides, ends or roof. They are used for awkwardly shaped cargoes which cannot fit on or in any other type of container.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityInternal LengthInternal Width
5700 kg39300 kg12.19 m2.44 m
12568.5 lbs86656.5 lbs40 ft8 ft

Refrigerated Containers (= Reefer Containers) are used for the carriage of the goods requiring controlled temperature in transit, such as fruit, vegetables and diary products and meat. It is fitted with a refrigeration unit which is connected to the carrying ship’s electrical power supply.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
3080 kg27400 kg28.3 m³5.44 m2.29 m2.27 m2.23 m2.10 m
6791.4 lbs60417 lbs999 cu ft17.9 ft7.5 ft7.5 ft7.3 ft6.9 ft

Refrigerated Containers (= Reefer Containers) are used for the carriage of the goods requiring controlled temperature in transit, such as fruit, vegetables and diary products and meat. It is fitted with a refrigeration unit which is connected to the carrying ship’s electrical power supply.

Specific dimensions and capacity may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container as well as the container-owner. The specifications listed below are however representative and characteristics.

TaraweightPayload CapacityCubic CapacityInternal LengthInternal WidthInternal HeightDoor Opening WidthDoor Opening Height
4800 kg27700 kg59.3 m³11.56 m2.28 m2.25 m2.29 m2.26 m
10584 lbs61078.5 lbs2093.3 cu ft37.9 ft7.5 ft7.4 ft7.5 ft7.4 ft

NOTE: The availability of containers illustrated herein may vary according to trade lanes served and are for guidance purposes only. Maximum cubic capacities have been shown however the actual final volume of cargo loaded to specific containers may vary substantially and is dependant upon the dimensions of the cargo cases or packages loaded therein. For further information as to container load planning please contact your local office, or email: [email protected]

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