These technical specifications reflect the container manufacturer's suggested maximum weight and cube and do not reflect the legal, permissible or recommended weight limitations. Loading a container to these limits may require special permits or may not be legal for transport. Please make sure to check with your account representative for legal limits in your state as well as any special requirements of the inland or ocean carrier or other agency.
The following Guide to Ocean Freight Container Specifications. The container specifications listed are virtually standardized world-wide. However, the possibility exists that individual container manufacturers and shipping lines will have container specifications which vary somewhat from those listed in this section. Be certain to inquire about precise specifications from your shipping line or forwarder when you arrange for a shipment.
All values listed in the tables are given in metric. Ft and lbs values are for easy reference only. All details listed are nominal figures. Apart from the tolerances given on internal dimensions below the tare weight can vary 2%.
External and Minimum Internal Dimensions
The following table gives the overall external dimensions as standardized in ISO and the minimum internal dimensions and door openings for General Purpose Containers as standardized in ISO.
| Length | Width | Height | ||||
| Dimensions | 20' 6,058 mm |
40' 12,192 mm |
8' 2,438 mm |
8'6" 2,438 mm |
8'6" 2,438 mm |
9'6" 2,896 mm |
| Minimum Internal Dimensions |
5,867 mm 19'3" |
11,998 mm 39' 4 3/8" |
2,330 mm 7'7 3/4" |
2,197 mm 7'2 1/2" |
2,350 mm 7'8 1/2" |
2,655 mm 8'8 1/2" |
| Minimum Door Opening Dimensions |
- | - | 2,286 mm 7'6" |
2,134 mm 7' |
2,261 mm 7'5" |
2,566 mm 8'5" |
The internal dimensions and door openings of most containers exceed the above given dimensions. However, the dimensions mentioned on the following pages are nominal figures. Because of production tolerances a difference in measurements is possible
| Tolerances | Length | Width | Height |
| 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | |
| Maximum Difference | 3/8" | 3/8" | 3/8" |
20' containers
24,000 kg (52,910 lbs) according to the latest issue of ISO 668;
30, 480 kg (67,200 lbs) valid for most 20' containers; exceeds ISO minimum standards.
40' containers
30,480 kg (67,200 lbs).
A container floor is capable of carrying a fork-lift truck with a maximum axle load of 5,460 kg (12,040 lbs), if the contact area per wheel is at least 142 cm2 (22 sq.in) (ISO 1496/I).
When stowing heavy cargo in containers other than flats or platforms due care has to be taken that concentrated loads will not exceed the strength of the bottom construction of the container.
The maximum spread load should not exceed
-for 20' containers 4 tons per running meter in length (3' 3.5")
-for 40' containers 3 tons per running meter in length.
| Inside Length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Cubic Capacity | Tare Weight | Maximum Payload | |
| 20' Standard | 19'4 5.900 m |
7'8 2.350 m |
7'10 2.393 m |
7'8" 2.342 m |
7'6" 2.280 m |
1,172 cft 33.2 cbm |
4,916 lbs 2,230 kg |
47,900 lbs 21,770 kg |
| 40' Standard | 39'5" 12.036 m |
7'8" 2.350 m |
7'10" 2.392 m |
7'8" 2.340 m |
7'6" 2.280 m |
2,390 cft 67.7 cbm |
8,160 lbs 3,700 kg |
59,040 lbs 26,780 kg |
| 40'H.C.(High Cube) | 39'5" 12.036 m |
7'8" 2.350 m |
8'10" 2.697 m |
7'8" 2.338 m |
8'5" 2.585 m |
2,694 cft 76.3 cbm |
8,750 lbs 3,970 kg |
58,450 lbs 26,510 kg |
| 20' Reefer | 17'8" 5.425 m |
7'5" 2.275 m |
7'5" 2.260 m |
7'5" 2.258 m |
7'3" 2.216 m |
1,000 cft 28.3 cbm |
7,040 lbs 3,200 kg |
45,760 lbs 20,800 kg |
| 40' H.C.Reefer | 37'11" 11.557 m |
7'6" 2.294 m |
8'2" 2.500 m |
7' 6" 2.294 m |
8'0" 2.440 m |
2,344 cft 66.6 cbm |
9,900 lbs 4,500?kg |
57,561 lbs 25,980 kg |
| 20' Open Top | 19'4" 5.894 m |
7'7" 2.311 m |
7'8" 2.354 m |
7'6" 2.286 m |
7'2" 2.184 m |
1,136 cft 32.2 cbm |
5,280 lbs 2,400 kg |
47,620 lbs 21,600 kg |
| 40'Open Top | 39'5" 12.038 m |
7'8" 2.350 m |
7'8" 2.345 m |
7'8" 2.341 m |
7'5" 2.274 m |
2,350 cft 65.5 cbm |
8,490 lbs 3,850 kg |
58,710 lbs 26,630 kg |
| 20' Flat Rack | 18'5" 5.620 m |
7'3" 2.200 m |
7'4" 2.233 m |
- - |
- - |
- - |
5,578 lbs 2,530 kg |
47,333 lbs 21,470 kg |
| 40'Flat Rack | 39'7" 12.08 |
6'10" 2.438 m |
6'5" 2.103 m |
- - |
- - |
- - |
12,081lbs 5,800 kg |
85,800 lbs 39,000 kg |
All 40' containers are fitted with a Gooseneck tunnel to enable the transport on Gooseneck chassis.
Exposed timber is treated according to Australian requirements (exceptions: 40' flats and platforms).
The following are electric plug configurations for refrigerated containers.
380/460 V plugs
200/220 V plugs
