SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Types and dimensions
From standard Dry boxes to high-capacity Reefers: 21 container models to match every type of cargo.
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How To Read A Spec Sheet
Four figures are enough to compare two containers and pick the right one.
Length
The container's external length. 20-foot (≈ 6 m) and 40-foot (≈ 12 m) are the maritime standards.
Tare weight
The weight of the empty container. It adds to your cargo weight when computing the allowed gross weight.
Cubage
The usable internal volume in m³. It is the decisive figure for bulky goods.
Floor area
The available floor area, handy to estimate how many pallets fit on the floor.
Compare Sizes At A Glance
The three most requested formats, drawn to scale.
20-foot Dry
6 m · 2.59 m · 33 m³
40-foot Dry
12 m · 2.59 m · 68 m³
40-foot High Cube
12 m · 2.90 m · 76 m³
The High Cube keeps the 40-foot footprint with ~30 cm of extra height — about 8 m³ of additional volume.
Dry Containers — General Purpose
5Dry containers are the most common type in international shipping. Watertight, they suit the vast majority of packaged goods.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20' Dry Standard Container Standard volume for most international shipments; ideal for heavy and compact goods. | 6 m | 2 200 kg | 33 m³ | 14 m² | 28 250 kg |
20' Dry High Cube Container Raised 20-foot format giving extra volume without changing the footprint; suited to bulky but lightweight cargo. | 6 m | 2 340 kg | 38 m³ | 14 m² | — |
40' Dry Standard Container Universal format for shipping large volumes of dry goods on every ocean route. | 12 m | 3 720 kg | 68 m³ | 28 m² | 26 760 kg |
40' Dry High Cube Container The deep-sea workhorse: maximum volume for pallets, cartons and low-density bulky goods. | 12 m | 3 900 kg | 76 m³ | 28 m² | 26 580 kg |
45-foot High Cube Dry Container The largest dry container: maximum volume for light, bulky goods over long distances. | 13.7 m | 4 800 kg | 86 m³ | 32 m² | 27 700 kg |
20' Dry Standard Container
Standard volume for most international shipments; ideal for heavy and compact goods.
- Length
- 6 m
- Tare weight
- 2 200 kg
- Cubage
- 33 m³
- Floor area
- 14 m²
- Max payload
- 28 250 kg
20' Dry High Cube Container
Raised 20-foot format giving extra volume without changing the footprint; suited to bulky but lightweight cargo.
- Length
- 6 m
- Tare weight
- 2 340 kg
- Cubage
- 38 m³
- Floor area
- 14 m²
- Max payload
- —
40' Dry Standard Container
Universal format for shipping large volumes of dry goods on every ocean route.
- Length
- 12 m
- Tare weight
- 3 720 kg
- Cubage
- 68 m³
- Floor area
- 28 m²
- Max payload
- 26 760 kg
40' Dry High Cube Container
The deep-sea workhorse: maximum volume for pallets, cartons and low-density bulky goods.
- Length
- 12 m
- Tare weight
- 3 900 kg
- Cubage
- 76 m³
- Floor area
- 28 m²
- Max payload
- 26 580 kg
45-foot High Cube Dry Container
The largest dry container: maximum volume for light, bulky goods over long distances.
- Length
- 13.7 m
- Tare weight
- 4 800 kg
- Cubage
- 86 m³
- Floor area
- 32 m²
- Max payload
- 27 700 kg
Refrigerated Containers (Reefer)
3Designed for temperature-controlled transport (food, pharmaceuticals, flowers).
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10' Reefer High Cube Container Compact reefer for samples, test batches or niche goods shipped under controlled temperature. | 3 m | 2 200 kg | 12,2 m³ | 5,4 m² | — |
20' Reefer High Cube Container Versatile 20-foot reefer: fresh produce, frozen goods and pharmaceuticals over short and medium distances. | 6 m | 3 000 kg | 29,8 m³ | 12,4 m² | 27 470 kg |
40' Reefer High Cube Container 40' HC reefer for large temperature-controlled volumes: fruit, meat, dairy and cut flowers on intercontinental routes. | 12 m | 4 590 kg | 63,7 m³ | 26 m² | 29 300 kg |
10' Reefer High Cube Container
Compact reefer for samples, test batches or niche goods shipped under controlled temperature.
- Length
- 3 m
- Tare weight
- 2 200 kg
- Cubage
- 12,2 m³
- Floor area
- 5,4 m²
- Max payload
- —
20' Reefer High Cube Container
Versatile 20-foot reefer: fresh produce, frozen goods and pharmaceuticals over short and medium distances.
- Length
- 6 m
- Tare weight
- 3 000 kg
- Cubage
- 29,8 m³
- Floor area
- 12,4 m²
- Max payload
- 27 470 kg
40' Reefer High Cube Container
40' HC reefer for large temperature-controlled volumes: fruit, meat, dairy and cut flowers on intercontinental routes.
- Length
- 12 m
- Tare weight
- 4 590 kg
- Cubage
- 63,7 m³
- Floor area
- 26 m²
- Max payload
- 29 300 kg
Storage Containers
5Small-format containers for buffer storage, moving or job-site use.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6' Storage Container Mini container for additional storage, archiving or job-site tooling in a minimal footprint. | 1,98 m | 450 kg | 7 m³ | 4 m² |
8' Storage Container Compact format widely used for private or professional storage, partial moves and mobile workshops. | 2,43 m | 630 kg | 10 m³ | 5 m² |
9' Storage Container In between the 8- and 10-foot units: handy for medium equipment storage or a site office. | 2,93 m | 690 kg | 12 m³ | 6 m² |
10' Storage Container Go-to format for urban buffer storage, self-storage or a temporary technical room. | 2,98 m | 825 kg | 15 m³ | 9 m² |
15' Storage Container Roomy storage solution for construction sites, events or long equipment. | 4,55 m | 915 kg | 19 m³ | 12 m² |
6' Storage Container
Mini container for additional storage, archiving or job-site tooling in a minimal footprint.
- Length
- 1,98 m
- Tare weight
- 450 kg
- Cubage
- 7 m³
- Floor area
- 4 m²
8' Storage Container
Compact format widely used for private or professional storage, partial moves and mobile workshops.
- Length
- 2,43 m
- Tare weight
- 630 kg
- Cubage
- 10 m³
- Floor area
- 5 m²
9' Storage Container
In between the 8- and 10-foot units: handy for medium equipment storage or a site office.
- Length
- 2,93 m
- Tare weight
- 690 kg
- Cubage
- 12 m³
- Floor area
- 6 m²
10' Storage Container
Go-to format for urban buffer storage, self-storage or a temporary technical room.
- Length
- 2,98 m
- Tare weight
- 825 kg
- Cubage
- 15 m³
- Floor area
- 9 m²
15' Storage Container
Roomy storage solution for construction sites, events or long equipment.
- Length
- 4,55 m
- Tare weight
- 915 kg
- Cubage
- 19 m³
- Floor area
- 12 m²
Insulated Containers
2Insulated boxes without an active refrigeration unit, for low-sensitivity goods.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20' Insulated High Cube Container Insulated 20-foot box to limit thermal swings for stable products: beverages, canned goods, cosmetics. | 6 m | 3 000 kg | 29,8 m³ | 12,4 m² |
40' Insulated High Cube Container Large insulated volume without an active reefer unit for long-haul shipments needing thermal stability. | 12 m | 4 590 kg | 76 m³ | 28 m² |
20' Insulated High Cube Container
Insulated 20-foot box to limit thermal swings for stable products: beverages, canned goods, cosmetics.
- Length
- 6 m
- Tare weight
- 3 000 kg
- Cubage
- 29,8 m³
- Floor area
- 12,4 m²
40' Insulated High Cube Container
Large insulated volume without an active reefer unit for long-haul shipments needing thermal stability.
- Length
- 12 m
- Tare weight
- 4 590 kg
- Cubage
- 76 m³
- Floor area
- 28 m²
Open Top Containers
2Removable tarpaulin roof allowing crane loading of goods too tall for the doors.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20' Open Top Container Top-loaded container for over-height goods or cargo requiring crane handling: machines, coils, bulk. | 6,05 m | 2 200 kg | 33 m³ | 14 m² | 28 280 kg |
40' Open Top Container Large-format Open Top for industrial equipment, machine tools and pieces taller than standard doors. | 12,19 m | 3 920 kg | 65,9 m³ | 28 m² | 26 600 kg |
20' Open Top Container
Top-loaded container for over-height goods or cargo requiring crane handling: machines, coils, bulk.
- Length
- 6,05 m
- Tare weight
- 2 200 kg
- Cubage
- 33 m³
- Floor area
- 14 m²
- Max payload
- 28 280 kg
40' Open Top Container
Large-format Open Top for industrial equipment, machine tools and pieces taller than standard doors.
- Length
- 12,19 m
- Tare weight
- 3 920 kg
- Cubage
- 65,9 m³
- Floor area
- 28 m²
- Max payload
- 26 600 kg
Open Side Containers
2Full side opening for loading long or bulky pieces.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20' Open Side Container Full side opening for forklift loading of long pieces (pipes, sections, boards). | 6,05 m | 3 500 kg | 31 m³ | 14 m² |
40' Open Side High Cube Container 40' HC with side access: ideal for very long pieces or flat industrial loading directly from the dock. | 12,19 m | 6 200 kg | 66,07 m³ | 29,62 m² |
20' Open Side Container
Full side opening for forklift loading of long pieces (pipes, sections, boards).
- Length
- 6,05 m
- Tare weight
- 3 500 kg
- Cubage
- 31 m³
- Floor area
- 14 m²
40' Open Side High Cube Container
40' HC with side access: ideal for very long pieces or flat industrial loading directly from the dock.
- Length
- 12,19 m
- Tare weight
- 6 200 kg
- Cubage
- 66,07 m³
- Floor area
- 29,62 m²
Double Door Containers
2Doors at both ends — ideal for through-loading.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20' Double Door Container Doors at both ends for flow-through loading and unloading: handy for long pieces or tunnel use. | 6,05 m | 3 500 kg | 31 m³ | 14 m² |
40' Double Door Container 40-foot Double Door for high-volume shipments needing quick access from both ends. | 12,19 m | 3 900 kg | 66 m³ | 28 m² |
20' Double Door Container
Doors at both ends for flow-through loading and unloading: handy for long pieces or tunnel use.
- Length
- 6,05 m
- Tare weight
- 3 500 kg
- Cubage
- 31 m³
- Floor area
- 14 m²
40' Double Door Container
40-foot Double Door for high-volume shipments needing quick access from both ends.
- Length
- 12,19 m
- Tare weight
- 3 900 kg
- Cubage
- 66 m³
- Floor area
- 28 m²
Multidoor Containers
1Open Side + Double Door combination: maximum loading flexibility.
| Type | Length | Tare weight | Cubage | Floor area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
40' Open Side Multidoor Container Open Side and Double Door combined: maximum loading flexibility for industrial projects and unusual cargo. | 12 m | 3 920 kg | 65,9 m³ | 28 m² |
40' Open Side Multidoor Container
Open Side and Double Door combined: maximum loading flexibility for industrial projects and unusual cargo.
- Length
- 12 m
- Tare weight
- 3 920 kg
- Cubage
- 65,9 m³
- Floor area
- 28 m²
Indicative max payloads; they vary by manufacturer and build year.
Which Container For Which Cargo?
A quick guide to orient your choice before requesting a quote.
| Dry goods, palletised or boxed | Dry / Dry High Cube | |
| Fresh, frozen or temperature-controlled products | Refrigerated (Reefer) | |
| Load too tall to pass through the doors | Open Top | |
| Long or wide piece, side loading | Open Side | |
| Through-loading (both ends) | Double Door | |
| Buffer storage, job site or moving | Storage |
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For the split of costs and responsibilities across borders, check our guide to Incoterms® 2020.
