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Container Specification

Standard shipping container dimensions

The 20 ft standard shipping container and the 40 ft standard shipping container are two of the most widely used containers in the world to transport ocean freight goods.

The standard shipping containers differ from other types of containers in that they are completely airtight. These hermetically sealed shipping containers are not equipped with cooling nor ventilation systems like the refrigerated and ventilated containers.

The 20 ft standard shipping container can hold up to 10 standard pallets or 11 Euro pallets across its floor base.

The standard shipping containers are also known as dry shipping containers or dry vans.

20 ft standard shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code22gp
Container ApllicationsThe 20ft standard shipping container is for gene purpose cargo
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"7' 6 1/4"
Door opening in meters2.34m2.29m
Interior dimensions in feet 7' 8 5/8"7' 6 1/419 4 1/4
Interior dimensions in meter2.34m2.29m5.9m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs52,831 lbs4,914 lbs47,899 lbs
Weight in kg23,956 kg2,229 kg21,727 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity1,172 CFT33.3 CBM

40 ft standard shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code42gp
Container ApllicationsThe 40ft standard shipping container is for gene purpose cargo
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"7' 6 1/4"
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in meters2.34 m2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 8 5/8"7' 10 1/4"37' 11 1/4"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.352 m2.395 m12.01 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs67,199 lbs5,220 lbs59,039 lbs
Weight in kg30,481 kg3,701 kg26,780 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity2,389.75 CFT67.67 CBM

40 ft high cube standard shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code40 HQ or 40 HC
Container ApllicationsThe 40 ft high cube shipping container is larger than the 40 ft standard shipping container
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"8' 6 1/4"
Door opening in meters2.34 m2.56 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 8 5/8"8' 10 1/8"39' 5 5/8"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.352 m2.69 m12.01 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs67,196 lbs8,747 lbs58,448 lbs
Weight in kg30,480 kg3,968 kg26,512 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity2,694 CFT76.3 CBM

45 ft high cube standard shipping container dimensions

Container Reference CodeL5GO
Container ApllicationsThe 45 ft high cube shipping container is for general purpose cargo.
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 9 1/2"8' 5 3/4"
Door opening in meters2.37 m2.58 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 11"8' 10"44' 4 3/4"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.41 m2.69 m13.53 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs74,960 lbs10,910 lbs64,050 lbs
Weight in kg34,000 kg4,950 kg29,050 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity3,122 CFT88.4 CBM

Ventilated shipping container dimensions

The 20 ft ventilated container is a shipping container that offers a ventilation system due to its lateral openings that permit air flow and circulation.

These characteristics make it suitable for the transportation of goods that require constant temperature and conditions.

Thanks to its ventilation system, the 20 ft ventilated container is able to expel hot air and allow fresh air to enter, thus preventing condensation and humidity changes that may damage the cargo.

One of the main products transported in the ventilated container is coffee, which is why it may also sometimes also be known as the “coffee container”.

20 ft ventilated shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code22VH
Container ApllicationsThe 20 ft ventilated shipping is for cargo that requires ventilation typically used to transport green coffee beans or similar cargo
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"7' 6 1/4"
Door opening in meters2.34 m2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 8 5/8"7' 10 1/4"19' 4 1/4"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.352 m2.395 m5.9 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs52,897 lbs5,297 lbs47,899 lbs
Weight in kg32,500 kg2,394 kg21,727 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity1,172 CFT33.2 CBM

Refrigerated shipping container dimensions

Refrigerated shipping containers, also known as reefer containers, are equipped with a system that helps to maintain an internal temperature of between -25° and + 25°. Contrary to popular belief, these refrigerated containers do not regulate temperatures, they can only maintain them.

There are certain types of refrigerated containers that are capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -60°.

Although refrigerated containers have integrated systems that help with maintaining the internal temperature, the container must be connected to an external power source such as the vessel’s generator or the port’s power supply.

When booking a reefer container, it is important to make sure that necessary equipment is available throughout the entire international transport chain (from pick up to drop off) to help power the container and maintain its international temperature.

Reefer containers are most commonly used to transport fresh and frozen foods such as fish, meat, fruits, and other perishable items. It is also regularly used to transport medicines and pharmaceutical products.

20 ft refrigerated shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code22RT
Container ApllicationsThe 20 ft refrigrated shipping container is for cargo that requires temperature control
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"7' 6 1/4"
Door opening in meters2.34 m2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 6"7' 4 7/8"17' 11 5/8"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.28 m2.33 m5.45 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs67,200 lbs6,970 lbs60,230 lbs
Weight in kg30,480 kg3,160 kg27,320 kg

40 ft refrigerated shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code42RT
Container ApllicationsThe 40 ft refrigerated shipping container is for cargo that requires temperature control or perishaple cargo
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 5 3/8"6' 11 7/8"
Door opening in meters2.26 m2.13 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 5 3/8"7' 1 7/8"37' 11 1/4"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.26 m2.18 m11.48 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs67,053 lbs10,778 lbs56,275 lbs
Weight in kg30,415 kg4,889 kg25,526 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity2039.7 CFT57.76 CBM

Flat rack shipping container dimensions

Flat rack shipping containers are designed to transport merchandise whose overall measurements and/or weight prevent them from fitting into a standard container.

These containers are made of metal plates that fit a standard structure of 20 or 40 feet. Its sides are collapsible and it does not have a roof or top. This makes it easy for top- or side-loading. Such features make flat rack containers suitable for transporting.

  • Heavy or over-sized cargo such as construction equipment, building supplies or heavy machinery. These cargoes usually need to be loaded onto the flat rack with a crane or other special equipment.
  • Goods with a height higher than that of a 20 or 40 ft high cube container or irregularly shaped goods such as industrial vehicles or pipes.

Because the flat rack container has no side or top to protect the cargo, extra care must be taken to prevent damage by weather conditions such as heavy rain or strong winds. Lashing the cargo will help secure the cargo and make sure it stays in its place.

When booking a flat rack shipping container, make sure to clearly indicate lifting points for your over- or odd-sized cargo to avoid damages —especially for heavy machinery. Remember to also specify any special handling instructions to your freight forwarder.

20 ft flat rack shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code22pc
Container ApllicationsThe 20 ft flat rack shipping container is for unusually heavy loads, over sized cargo,construction equipment building supplies or heavy mechaniney
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Interior dimensions in feet8'7' 3 7/8"19' 9 3/4"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.438 m2.233 m5.638 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs99,200 lbs6,400 lbs92,800 lbs
Weight in kg45,000 kg2.900 kg42,100 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity1,154.3 CFT32.7 CBM

40 ft flat rack shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code42 PC
Container ApllicationsThe 40 ft flat rack shipping container is for over-sized cargo, heavy machinery, construction equipment or supplies
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feetNA
Door opening in metersNA
Interior dimensions in feet7' 4"7' 5 1/3"39' 3 7/8"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.23 m2.27 m11.98 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs98,326 lbs12,897 lbs85,429 lbs
Weight in kg44.600 kg5,850 kg38,750 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity1,860 CFT52.7 CBM

Open top shipping container dimensions

Open top containers, be it 20 ft or 40 ft, fall within the category of standard containers, despite not having a roof.

The type of goods typically transported in open top containers is essentially the same as those being transported in flat rack containers, but with more irregular heights.

Some examples include goods that are too heavy for manual handling and must be lifted and loaded with a crane, or top-protruding merchandise that cannot fit into a 40 ft high cube standard container.

Unlike the flat rack, which also has no roof, open top containers have walls to protect the goods. A tarpaulin will be needed to cover the top to protect the merchandise.

Note that the opening of an open top shipping container through which you load your cargo is slightly smaller than the container’s interior. This is similar to the door of a regular container and it’s for structural integrity purposes. In other words, there is less room to work with for maneuvering when loading your cargo through the top of an open top shipping container.

A 20 ft open top container has a maximum load of approximately 28 metric tons, while the 40 ft open top container can hold up to 30 metric tons.

Due to low demand for open top containers, some carriers may find it difficult to secure cargo requiring open top containers to be able to send the containers back to the origin. As such, carriers may implement an extra cost to transport open top containers, which can vary according to the destination.

When booking an open top shipping container, make sure lifting points for your over- or odd-sized cargo are well-indicated to avoid damages and specify handling instructions to your freight forwarder.

20 ft open top shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code22U1
Container ApllicationsThe 20 ft open top shipping container is for over height cargo and top loading
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"7' 6 1/4
Door opening in meters2.34 m2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 8 5/8"7' 10 1/4"19' 4 1/4"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.352 m2.395 m5.9 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs52,897 lbs5,297 lbs47,619 lbs
Weight in kg23,994 kg2,394 kg21,600 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity1,172 CFT33.2 CBM

40 ft open top shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code42OT
Container ApllicationsThe 40 ft open top shipping container is for excessively long or high cargo
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Door opening in feet7' 8 1/8"7' 6 1/4
Door opening in meters2.34 m2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet7' 8 5/8"7' 10 1/4"39' 5 5/8"
Interior dimensions in meters 2.352 m2.395 m12.01 m
Container WeightMax GrossTareMax payload
Weight in lbs67,196 lbs8,487 lbs58,709 lbs
Weight in kg30,480 kg3,850 kg26,630 kg
Container VolumeIn CFTIn CBM
Load capacity2,389.75 CFT66.67 CBM

ISO tank shipping container dimensions

ISO tank or ISO containers are containers specially designed to transport liquids or gases. They can hold bulk cargoes ranging from perishable liquids such as oil or wine to hazardous substances.

Additional requirements will need to be fulfilled when shipping hazardous substances in ISO tanks. And once an ISO tank has been tagged to ship hazardous substances, it can no longer be used to ship food, and vice versa.

The ISO tank is supported on a structure that can be adjusted according to its dimensions. It’s also lined with an insulating material that protects it from the cargo it’s transporting.

ISO tanks offer one of the most effective intermodal transportation methods for bulk cargo. They are safer, offer more flexibility, are more environmentally friendly, and relatively cheaper than other options such as OTR tank trucks.

The most commonly used ISO tanks measure 20 or 40 ft there are also 10 and 30 ft long ISO tanks. They’re also widely known as ISO containers or tank containers.

20 ft ISO tank shipping container dimensions

Container Reference Code22TO
Container ApllicationsThe 40 ft open top shipping container is for over top loading for excessively long or high cargo
Container Dimensions:Width Height Length
Exterior dimensions in feet8"8' 6"20"
Exterior dimensions in meters2.43 m2.59 m6.09 m
Container volumeIn U.S GallonsIn Litres
Load Capacity6,450 gl26,001 lt