Most export cargo travels in standardised containers. Choosing the right type and size affects your freight cost, how much you can ship, and whether your goods arrive in good condition. Here is a practical overview. Dimensions and limits vary slightly between container owners, so always confirm with your forwarder.
Standard Dry Containers
20ft Standard
- Approximate internal dimensions: 5.9 m long × 2.35 m wide × 2.39 m high
- Approximate internal volume: 33 CBM
- Practical loading capacity: often around 25–28 CBM, depending on cargo
- Suited to: heavy, dense cargo such as rice, salt, marble, and machinery — where weight limits are reached before volume
40ft Standard
- Approximate internal dimensions: 12.0 m long × 2.35 m wide × 2.39 m high
- Approximate internal volume: 67 CBM
- Suited to: larger volumes of general cargo
40ft High Cube
- About 30 cm taller than a standard 40ft
- Approximate internal volume: 76 CBM
- Suited to: light, bulky goods such as textiles, garments, furniture, and home goods, where volume matters more than weight
Weight Limits
Each container has a maximum gross weight, which includes the container's own tare weight. The maximum payload is roughly in the range of 25–28 tonnes for many standard containers, but road weight limits in origin and destination countries — and at inland depots — can be lower. Heavy cargo is often limited by road rules before the container's own limit. Ask your forwarder for the practical limit on your route.
Since 2016, the SOLAS convention has required a verified gross mass (VGM) to be declared for every packed export container before loading. Your forwarder will ask for it.
Specialised Containers
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Temperature-controlled containers for perishables — fresh fruit, seafood, some foods, and pharmaceuticals. They need power at terminals and onboard, and temperature settings must match the product's requirements. See exporting mangoes and fresh fruit and exporting seafood.
Open Top
No fixed roof — cargo is loaded from above by crane and covered with a tarpaulin. Suited to tall or heavy items that cannot be loaded through doors, such as large machinery or marble blocks.
Flat Rack
Containers with collapsible or fixed end walls and no side walls or roof. Suited to oversized or heavy cargo such as vehicles and industrial equipment.
Ventilated Containers
Used for some agricultural goods that need airflow, such as certain coffee or cocoa shipments.
Tank Containers
For bulk liquids, including some food-grade and chemical products.
💡 Plan cartons to fit the container
Design carton sizes to fit efficiently into pallet and container dimensions. A few centimetres can decide whether you fit 1,000 or 1,200 cartons — which changes your freight cost per unit.
How Many Cartons Fit?
It depends on carton size, stacking strength, palletisation, and weight. Your forwarder can run a load plan using your carton dimensions and weights. Load planning software or simple calculations — internal dimensions divided by carton dimensions, allowing for gaps — give a starting estimate.
Choosing the Right Container
- Heavy, dense cargo: 20ft standard
- Light, bulky cargo: 40ft high cube
- Perishables: reefer
- Oversized or top-loaded cargo: open top or flat rack
- Small volumes: LCL instead of a container — see FCL vs LCL
Container Inspection Before Loading
Before loading, check the container:
- No holes, leaks, or damaged doors and seals
- Clean, dry, and odour-free — especially important for food and textiles
- No residues from previous cargo
Reject containers that are not fit for your cargo. Photograph the empty container before loading and the sealed container afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of a 40ft high cube container?
A 40ft high cube container has an internal volume of approximately 76 cubic metres. Practical loading capacity depends on cargo shape and packing.
What is the maximum weight in a 20ft container?
Maximum payload varies by container, but is often around 25 to 28 tonnes. Road weight limits at origin and destination may be lower, so check the practical limit with your forwarder.
What is VGM in shipping?
VGM stands for verified gross mass. Under the SOLAS convention, the shipper must declare the verified gross weight of a packed container before it is loaded on a vessel.
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