Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications:
Shipping containers are built to very specific dimensional standards. This helps ensure that they can be stacked on top of, and below, any other shipping container in the world safely. This uniformity ensures maximum use of cargo ships. Standard shipping containers are 8′ wide (2.44m), and are measured in TEU’s (twenty-foot equivalent units). Ocean cargo containers are held to a rigid standard to avoid issues during shipping. Each intermodal shipping container, sometimes called “conex” containers, must stack perfectly on a cargo ship, in addition to locking into chassis trailers safely and securely stack on rail cars. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets the standards for shipping container dimensions (via ISO 668).
 |
10′ Container |
20′ Container |
40′ Container |
40′ High Cube |
45′ High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Door
WIDTH
HEIGHT |
7′ 8.125″ 7′ 5.75″ |
7′ 8.125″ 7′ 5.75″ |
7′ 8.125″ 7′ 5.75″ |
7′ 6.00″ 8′ 5.00″ |
7′ 6.00″ 8′ 5.00″ |
|
External
LENGTH
WIDTH HEIGHT |
9′ 10.50″ 8′ 0.00″ 8’6.00″ |
19′ 10.50″ 8′ 0.00″ 8’6.00″ |
40′ 0.00″ 8′ 0.00″ 8’6.00″ |
40′ 0.00″ 8′ 0.00″ 9’6.00″ |
45′ 0.00″ 8′ 0.00″ 9’6.00″ |
|
Internal
LENGTH
WIDTH HEIGHT |
8′ 8.81″ 7′ 8.59″ 7′ 9.89″ |
18′ 8.81″ 7′ 8.59″ 7′ 9.89″ |
39′ 8.81″ 7′ 8.59″ 7′ 9.89″ |
39′ 4.00″ 7′ 7.00″ 8′ 9.00″ |
44′ 4.00″ 7′ 7.00″ 8′ 9.00″ |
|
Capacity
CUBIC VOLUME
EMPTY WEIGHT LOAD CAPACITY |
536.3 ft3 2,870 lbs 24,910 lbs |
1,169 ft3 4,850 lbs 61,289 lbs |
2,385 ft3 8,380 lbs 57,759 lbs |
2,660 ft3 8,598 lbs 58,598 lbs |
3,040 ft3 10,580 lbs 55,559 lbs |
Additional Shipping Container Information
Information listed on intermodal shipping container doors is standardized, allowing it to be handled at any port worldwide. Data includes manufacturer information on the CSC plate, the size & capacity information, and container identification number. It is standardized on a shipping container. Shipping containers are held to a very specific set of specifications and dimensions to ensure the same equipment can safely handle the containers anywhere in the world.
Safe Handling Instructions
Sticker or plates are used to identify such things as:
- High Cube containers
- Hazardous cargo
- Other such labels
High Cube shipping containers have yellow decals at the top of the frame on each end. This makes the extended height more noticeable. High Cube containers have an outside height of 9’6″ or 2.9m. This is one foot taller than a standard shipping container, which is 8’6″, or roughly 2.6m, tall).
CSC Plate
The Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) Plate includes information on the date and location of manufacture, as well as other specifications. You can learn more about the Convention for Safe Containers on the International Maritime Organization’s website. You will want to purchase a CSC survey if you need to use your shipping container for export.
Locking Rods & Handles
Locking rods are bolted to the exterior of the shipping container cargo doors and frame. These rods seal the door tightly when twisted, closed, and clasped. Broken or bent locking rods can prevent a door from sealing properly. We guarantee doors will seal on every shipping container we sell, but it’s always a good idea to grease the hinges and make sure the door frame is square. We inspect every seal on doors we work on to make sure your contents arrive safely to their destination.
Container Identification Number
Every shipping container has a unique identification number. The first three letters represent the container owner, registered with the Bureau International des Containers “BIC”), and those are followed by a “U” for dry containers, and then six more numerical digits for the unit number. The 7th number is a “check digit” used by calculating the value of each letter and number in the ID. Check your check digit with BIC.
Size and Capacity Specifications
Shipping containers should not be loaded heavier than the weight specifications listed on the door and CSC plate, t ensure safe handling, and stacking on ships. Local shipping weight regulations may be much lower than the maximum payload of the container, so please take that into consideration. For instance, many shipping containers can handle over 25,000 kg of cargo, but loading them that heavy would exceed weight regulations on most Canadian roads.
Rubber Door Gasket
A rubber gasket fully surrounds each of the shipping container cargo doors. The gasket allows the steel doors to be shut tightly to prevent weather getting into the container. It also helps keep cargo from spilling out if the freight shifts or pallets fail during transport. Good gaskets are essential to a cargo container being wind/water tight. Cargo door gaskets are covered by our 1-year warranty.
Dry Dock Logistics Experts at International Shipping
Dry Dock Logistics is trusted throughout the globe to handle packing, unloading, moving, selling, and renting shipping containers. If you have any questions about shipping containers, we are available to help you. Please contact Dry Dock Logistics for all your shipping container needs.