Standard dry containers at a glance
Most sea freight moves in three dry container types. Values below are typical ISO figures: exact dimensions, tare and maximum payload vary by manufacturer and are printed on the container doors.
| Type | Internal L × W × H | Volume | Typical max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard (20DV) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ≈ 33 m³ | ≈ 25,000–28,000 kg |
| 40ft standard (40DV) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ≈ 67 m³ | ≈ 26,500–28,800 kg |
| 40ft high cube (40HC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | ≈ 76 m³ | ≈ 26,500–28,600 kg |
How many pallets fit?
Pallet count depends on pallet size, how the pallets are turned and whether they can be stacked. Single-tier, typical loads are:
| Container | EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | Industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft | 11 | 9–10 |
| 40ft / 40ft HC | 23–24 | 20–21 |
Volume is not the same as usable space
Cartons rarely fill a container perfectly. Leave a margin for packaging, bracing and loading: many shippers plan on roughly 25–28 m³ in a 20ft and 55–60 m³ in a 40ft. A high cube adds about 30 cm of height, useful for light, bulky goods.
Weight can be the real limit. Heavy goods such as stone, metal or liquids can reach the payload long before the container is full, and road weight limits at origin or destination may reduce what you can load.
Specialist containers
- Reefer: temperature-controlled, for food and pharma. Slightly smaller inside because of insulation.
- Open top: loaded from above by crane, for tall machinery.
- Flat rack: no sides or roof, for oversized and heavy project cargo.
- Tank container: for bulk liquids, including some dangerous goods.
Choosing the right container
Use the CBM calculator in Tools to total your volume, then compare: below roughly 13–15 m³, shared LCL (groupage) is often worth checking; above that, a full 20ft may be competitive. Ask your forwarder to confirm the load plan for heavy or irregular cargo.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic metres is a 40ft container?
About 67 m³ for a 40ft standard and 76 m³ for a 40ft high cube. Plan on less usable space once packaging and bracing are included.
How many EUR pallets fit in a 20ft container?
Typically 11 EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) on a single tier, or 9–10 industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm).
What is a TEU?
A twenty-foot equivalent unit: one 20ft container counts as 1 TEU, a 40ft as 2 TEU. It measures ship and port capacity.