10 types

Container Dimensions

ISO container internal dimensions from 20' DC to 40' HC — volume, tare and maximum payload, plus TEU, VGM and demurrage.

In sea transport two limits decide whether your cargo fits: the container’s internal volume and the maximum weight it may carry. Usually one fills before the other — a 20' for heavy cargo, a 40' or a high-cube (HC) for light and bulky cargo.

Container Types

ISO 668 standard dimensions.

20' DC — standard dry

Length5.90 m
Width2.35 m
Height2.39 m
Volume33.2 m³
Tare≈ 2,250 kg
Max payload≈ 28,200 kg
Door opening2.34 × 2.28 m
Pallets11 Euro pallets · 10 industrial pallets

Heavy, dense cargo — marble, machinery, steel, packaged food. It is one TEU itself.

40' DC — standard dry

Length12.03 m
Width2.35 m
Height2.39 m
Volume67.7 m³
Tare≈ 3,750 kg
Max payload≈ 26,750 kg
Door opening2.34 × 2.28 m
Pallets25 Euro pallets · 21 industrial pallets

Bulky but relatively light cargo — textiles, furniture, plastics, packaging.

40' HC — high cube

Length12.03 m
Width2.35 m
Height2.70 m
Volume76.3 m³
Tare≈ 3,900 kg
Max payload≈ 26,600 kg
Door opening2.34 × 2.58 m
Pallets25 Euro pallets (double-stacked when height allows)

30 cm of extra height — the container that yields the most m³ for light, bulky cargo.

45' HC — extended high cube

Length13.55 m
Width2.35 m
Height2.70 m
Volume86.0 m³
Tare≈ 4,800 kg
Max payload≈ 27,700 kg
Pallets27 – 33 Euro pallets

Short-sea and intermodal — the container closest in volume to a semi-trailer.

20' RF — reefer

Length5.44 m
Width2.29 m
Height2.27 m
Volume28.3 m³
Tare≈ 3,000 kg
Max payload≈ 27,400 kg

Fresh produce, meat, dairy, pharmaceuticals. Insulation and the cooling unit reduce the internal volume.

40' RF HC — high-cube reefer

Length11.58 m
Width2.29 m
Height2.50 m
Volume66.2 m³
Tare≈ 4,800 kg
Max payload≈ 25,600 kg

Long-haul cold chain — citrus, frozen food, vaccines and medicines.

20' OT — open top

Length5.90 m
Width2.35 m
Height2.35 m
Volume32.5 m³
Tare≈ 2,300 kg
Max payload≈ 28,100 kg

Cargo craned in from above that will not pass through the doors — machinery, marble blocks, pipes.

40' OT — open top

Length12.03 m
Width2.35 m
Height2.35 m
Volume66.7 m³
Tare≈ 3,850 kg
Max payload≈ 26,630 kg

Long and tall out-of-gauge pieces; covered with a tarpaulin, and height excess is charged separately.

20' FR — flat rack

Length5.94 m
Width2.35 m
HeightOpen top and sides
VolumePlatform — no volume limit
Tare≈ 2,750 kg
Max payload≈ 30,100 kg

Heavy out-of-gauge pieces — generators, boats, construction machinery, transformers.

40' FR — flat rack

Length12.13 m
Width2.40 m
HeightOpen top and sides
VolumePlatform — no volume limit
Tare≈ 5,000 kg
Max payload≈ 40,000 kg

Very long and very heavy project cargo; two flat racks can also be used side by side.

What You Should Know

The four rules of the container.

What is a TEU?

TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) means one 20-foot container and is the unit of ship capacity. A 40-foot container counts as 2 TEU. Freight quotes are usually given per container, not per TEU.

VGM — verified gross mass

Under SOLAS the shipper must declare the verified gross mass of the loaded container (cargo + tare) before it is loaded on the ship. A container without a VGM declaration is not taken on board.

Who sets the maximum payload?

The container’s own gross weight limit sets a ceiling, but in practice the destination country’s axle and total weight limits bite earlier. Ask about that limit when planning the port-to-door leg.

Demurrage and storage

Once the container’s free time at the port runs out, demurrage starts; when the container stays out of the line’s control, detention runs. Free time is stated in the line’s quote — always ask for it.

Have container cargo? Find a vessel · Are you a container company? Find cargo

Other sections of the reference

28 land crossingsBorder Crossings26 spec sheetsVehicle and Trailer Types11 termsIncoterms 202027 documentsTransport Documents37 termsLogistics Glossary