Container Types and Sizes: How to Choose the Right One
Approximate internal dimensions, volumes and payloads of 20' and 40' standard, high cube, reefer, open top and flat rack containers, plus practical tips for choosing.
When importing goods in bulk from the Far East, one of the first questions is usually: "Which container will this load fit into?" Choosing the right container directly affects freight cost, how well the goods are protected during the voyage and how smoothly operations run after arrival. In this article we summarise the container types most commonly used in sea freight, their approximate dimensions and what to consider when choosing.
Standard (Dry) Containers
Most goods that do not need temperature control, known as dry cargo, travel in standard containers. Electronics, textiles, household goods, packaged products and spare parts all fall into this group.
- 20' standard container: Suitable for heavy loads with a small volume. With dense goods such as ceramics, metal parts or machine components, you may reach the weight limit before the volume limit.
- 40' standard container: Offers roughly twice the volume of a 20' container, but not twice the payload. For light, bulky goods, the freight cost per unit is usually more favourable.
- 40' high cube (HC): Same footprint as a standard 40' but about 30 cm taller. It gives extra volume for furniture, cartons and other light, bulky cargo.
Special-Purpose Containers
- Reefer (refrigerated) container: Used for food, certain chemicals and sensitive products that need temperature-controlled transport. Because of the insulation and cooling unit, its internal volume is somewhat smaller than a standard container.
- Open top container: The roof is covered with a tarpaulin. It is chosen for cargo that must be loaded from above by crane or that is taller than a normal door opening.
- Flat rack container: Has no side walls or roof, only a floor and collapsible end walls. It is used for construction machinery, large machine bodies or out-of-gauge cargo.
Approximate Dimensions Table
The values below are approximate and for general reference only. Actual dimensions and permitted maximum payload vary by container manufacturer, age and carrier.
| Container type | Internal L×W×H (m) | Volume (m³) | Typical max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' standard | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | approx. 33 | approx. 25-28 t |
| 40' standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | approx. 67 | approx. 26-27 t |
| 40' high cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | approx. 76 | approx. 26-27 t |
| 40' reefer (HC) | 11.58 × 2.29 × 2.50 | approx. 67 | approx. 27-29 t |
| 20' open top | 5.89 × 2.35 × 2.35 | approx. 32 | approx. 28 t |
| 40' flat rack | 11.80 × 2.20 × 1.95 | - | approx. 39-40 t |
An important note: even if a container's technical capacity is high, road weight limits in the destination country may reduce how much can actually be loaded. For door-to-door delivery, inland transport must also be taken into account.
How to Choose the Right Container
- Calculate volume and weight together. Total carton volume and gross weight show which limit you will hit first.
- Remember that cartons never fill a container perfectly. Because of gaps, pallets and stacking limits, typically only about 80-90% of the theoretical volume is usable.
- Consider how sensitive the goods are. Temperature-sensitive products may need a reefer; cargo that does not fit dimensionally may need an open top or flat rack.
- If your load does not fill a container, consider less-than-container-load (LCL) shipping. For small orders, booking a full container is not always economical.
- For light and bulky goods, a 40' high cube is often the more efficient choice per cubic metre.
Conclusion
Choosing a container is not just a question of "big or small"; the nature of the goods, their weight, packaging and delivery point all need to be considered together. At TurnOn Global we plan the suitable container type based on your cargo's dimensions and weight, and manage the process from production to your door on your behalf. If you would like to know which option suits your shipment, feel free to write to us via WhatsApp or the contact form.
