International Container Shipping – What is the size of a Shipping Container?

International Container Shipping – What is the size of a Shipping Container?

If you are shipping multiple vehicles, moving overseas, or shipping a large amount of any cargo, it may be best to use international container shipping

A container of a smaller size fits this car, but what if you are shipping more than one vehicle?





Containerized transport is the world standard for efficient international ocean freight. Large vessels can be loaded with stacks of containers, maximizing the carrying capacity of the vessels, while also enabling easy compartmentalization of different cargo. This also makes it much less difficult to load and unload the vessel at ports by using cranes.


There are a few different types of containers. The types used most often are as follows:

20′ STANDARD
Inside Length 19′ 4” 5.89 m
Inside Width 7′ 8” 2.33 m
Inside Height 7′ 10” 2.38 m
Door Width 7′ 8” 2.33 m
Door Height 7′ 6” 2.28 m
Capacity 1,172 cubic feet 33.18 cubic meters
Tare Weight 4, 916 lbs 2, 229 kgs
Maximum Cargo 47, 999* lbs 21, 727* kgs
40′ STANDARD
Inside Length 39′ 5” 12.01 m
Inside Width 7′ 8” 2.33 m
Inside Height 7′ 10” 2.38 m
Door Width 7′ 8” 2.33 m
Door Height 7′ 6” 2.28 m
Capacity 2, 390 cubic feet 67.67 cubic meters
Tare Weight 8, 160 lbs 3, 701 kgs
Maximum Cargo 59, 040* lbs 26, 780* kgs
40′ HIGH CUBE
Inside Length 39′ 5” 12.01 m
Inside Width 7′ 8” 2.33 m
Inside Height 8′ 10” 2.69 m
Door Width 7′ 8” 2.33 m
Door Height 8′ 5” 2.56 m
Capacity 2, 694 cubic feet 76.28 cubic meters
Tare Weight 8, 750 lbs 9, 968 kgs
Maximum Cargo 58, 450* lbs 26, 512* kgs

*Legal weight and weight maximum for steamship line may be lower than this number


There are a few other types of containers (e.g. refrigerated, open-top, 45′), but the above cover the lion’s share of international container shipping.


The better idea we get of the size of what you are shipping, the better we will be able to accurately quote you. Other companies may give you what appears to be a fantastic quote, but will continue adding fees as the shipment continues. K International Transport gets it right from the start, so when you can budget accurately.


Contact us today to receive international shipping rates, we can be reached by phone at 212-267-6400, email: inquiries@kinternational.com and Skype:kinternationalny