Container sizes
Shipping container sizes: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube
Dimensions, volume and weight limits for the containers used on China–US routes, and the numbers that matter more in practice: how much actually fits, and how much you can legally truck in the US.
- 20ft
- ~33 CBM · fits 10 standard pallets
- 40ft
- ~67 CBM · fits 20–21 pallets
- 40ft high cube
- ~76 CBM · extra 30 cm height
Updated
Standard container dimensions
Figures are typical. Exact dimensions and weights vary slightly between manufacturers and container owners.
| 20ft (20GP) | 40ft (40GP) | 40ft high cube (40HQ) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.90 m | 12.03 m | 12.03 m |
| Internal width | 2.35 m | 2.35 m | 2.35 m |
| Internal height | 2.39 m | 2.39 m | 2.69 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
| Internal volume | ~33 CBM | ~67 CBM | ~76 CBM |
| Empty (tare) weight | ~2,200 kg | ~3,700 kg | ~3,900 kg |
| Max gross weight (container rating) | ~30,000 kg | ~30,000 kg | ~30,000 kg |
In feet and inches, the internal width is about 7 ft 8 in and the height about 7 ft 10 in for standard containers, or 8 ft 10 in for high cubes. Always check the door opening, which is smaller than the inside: an item that fits inside the container may not fit through the doors.
How much actually fits
You can't use the full internal volume. Cartons don't stack perfectly, pallets leave gaps, and the load needs bracing. Plan on loading:
| Container | Realistic load | Standard pallets (1.2 × 1.0 m) | US pallets (48 × 40 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft | 25–28 CBM | 10 single-stacked | 9–10 single-stacked |
| 40ft | 55–58 CBM | 20–21 single-stacked | 20 single-stacked |
| 40ft high cube | 65–68 CBM | 20–21, double-stacking easier | 20, double-stacking easier |
Floor-loading cartons without pallets fits more in, but takes longer to unload — and some receivers, including Amazon for many shipments, require pallets. Work out your own numbers with the CBM calculator.
Weight limits: the US road is the real constraint
A container may be rated for about 30 tonnes gross, but US federal law limits a truck's total weight to 80,000 lb (about 36 tonnes) on interstate highways. After the weight of the tractor, chassis and empty container, that leaves roughly 17–20 tonnes for cargo in either size, depending on the equipment and the route.
- Heavy, dense cargo — tiles, stone, metal, liquids — usually goes in 20ft containers, which run out of weight before space.
- Light, bulky cargo — furniture, textiles, plastics — suits 40ft high cubes, which run out of space first.
- Overweight containers may need a special tri-axle chassis or permits, which cost more and aren't available everywhere.
Other container types
- 45ft high cube — about 86 CBM. Available on some routes, but not every US trucker or receiver can handle one.
- Open top — for cargo too tall for the doors, loaded by crane from above and covered with a tarpaulin.
- Flat rack — for machinery and oversized items that are too wide or tall for a closed container.
- Refrigerated (reefer) — temperature-controlled, for food and other perishables.
For choosing between a full container and shared space, see FCL versus LCL.
FAQ
Container sizes: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
How many CBM fit in a 40ft container?
The internal volume is about 67 CBM, but a realistic load is 55–58 CBM. A 40ft high cube is about 76 CBM, with a realistic load of 65–68 CBM.
What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40ft high cube?
A high cube is about 30 cm (1 foot) taller inside, at about 2.69 m instead of 2.39 m. That adds around 9 CBM of space and makes double-stacking pallets easier.
How much weight can a 20ft container carry?
The container itself is rated for about 30 tonnes gross, but US road weight limits usually restrict the cargo to roughly 17–20 tonnes.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?
About 10 standard pallets, or 9–10 US 48 × 40 inch pallets, single-stacked.
Is a 40ft container twice the price of a 20ft?
Usually not. A 40ft container typically costs well under twice the freight of a 20ft, so it’s often better value once you have more than about 30 CBM of light cargo.