20ft & 40ft Shipping Containers: Dimensions, Specs & Weight

What is a shipping container?

A shipping container is a reusable steel box made for transport by ship, rail, and truck. A 20ft general-purpose container is often called a 20GP. A 40ft general-purpose container is called a 40GP. The official ISO 668 standard classifies these containers and sets their main external dimensions and weight ratings (International Organization for Standardization). (ISO)

What are the standard container dimensions?

A standard 20ft container is 6.058 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.591 meters high. A standard 40ft container is 12.192 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.591 meters high. In imperial units, both standard containers are 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches high. (Bureau International des Containers)

Importers should not use only the external size when they plan cargo. The steel walls, floor, doors, and corner posts reduce the actual loading space. The internal dimensions and door opening can also vary slightly between manufacturers.

These figures describe common standard dry containers. Importers can read EFAN Logistics’ 20-foot shipping container guide for loading and pallet details. They can also check the 40-foot shipping container dimensions and weight guide for more information about volume, payload, and FCL planning. (efanddp.com)

How much does a 40ft shipping container weigh?

A standard empty 40ft dry container usually weighs about 3,700 to 3,900 kilograms. This figure equals about 8,160 to 8,600 pounds. This empty weight is called the tare weight. The exact figure depends on the floor, doors, steel frame, and container manufacturer.

A common maximum gross weight is 30,480 kilograms, or 67,200 pounds. Gross weight includes the empty container, cargo, pallets, packaging, and securing materials. For example, a 40ft container with a tare weight of 3,750 kilograms and a gross limit of 30,480 kilograms has a theoretical payload of 26,730 kilograms. (efanddp.com)

Some containers have higher approved ratings. ISO 668 allows an ISO container to have a maximum gross mass of up to 36,000 kilograms when the unit is tested and marked for that rating. Shippers should always check the CSC safety plate and the weight markings on the assigned container.

What do tare weight, payload, and gross weight mean?

Tare weight means the weight of the empty container. Payload means the cargo weight that the container can carry under its marked limit. Gross weight means the combined weight of the container and everything packed inside it.

The formula is simple:

Maximum payload = Maximum gross weight − Tare weight

The International Maritime Organization’s verified gross mass rules require a verified gross mass before a packed container is loaded onto a ship covered by SOLAS rules. The shipper can weigh the complete packed container. The shipper can also calculate the weight by adding the cargo, packaging, pallets, and securing materials to the container’s tare weight (International Maritime Organization). (国际海事组织)

Is a 20ft or 40ft container better?

A 20ft container often works better for dense cargo such as metal, stone, tiles, and machinery. Its common gross weight limit is close to the limit of a 40ft container. Therefore, heavy cargo may reach the weight limit before it fills the available space.

A 40ft container often works better for furniture, textiles, retail goods, and other bulky products. It provides about twice the internal volume of a 20ft unit. However, it does not provide twice the payload. Shippers should compare both cargo volume and total weight before booking a container.

What should shippers check before loading?

Shippers should confirm the container number, tare weight, payload, gross weight limit, internal dimensions, and door opening. They should also check local road weight limits at the origin and destination. The final safe figures must come from the markings and CSC plate on the actual container, not only from a general online chart.