Sea Container Dimensions – What Is Worth Knowing?
When planning sea freight, one of the most common questions is: how much cargo can fit in a container? Choosing the right type of container affects not only cargo safety, but also transportation costs and the efficiency of the entire supply chain. In practice, an unsuitable container can generate unnecessary costs or limit available transport capacity.
Most Commonly Used Containers in Sea Freight
The following types of containers are most commonly used in international container shipping:
- 20’ container (20’ Dry)
- 40’ container (40’ Dry)
- 40’ High Cube container (increased height)
- Reefer containers (refrigerated containers)
They mainly differ in:
- internal dimensions,
- volume (CBM),
- maximum payload.
These parameters determine how much cargo can be loaded and how efficiently the available space can be used.
Download the Container Specifications
For your convenience, we have prepared a detailed overview of the specifications of containers used in sea freight.
Download: “Sea Container Dimensions (20’ and 40’) + Number of Pallets”
The guide includes, among other things:
- exact container dimensions,
- volume and payload capacity,
- number of pallets for different container types.
How Many Pallets Fit in a Container?
This is one of the most common questions from customers planning containerised transport.
Euro pallets (80 × 120 cm):
- 20’ container → approx. 11 Euro pallets
- 40’ container → approx. 24 Euro pallets
Industrial pallets (100 × 120 cm):
- 20’ container → approx. 10 pallets
- 40’ container → approx. 21 pallets
It is worth noting that industrial pallets, rather than Euro pallets, are relatively commonly used for imports from China and the Far East. This can affect the actual number of units that can fit inside a container.
Exact figures depend on the loading method and the characteristics of the cargo.
Which Should You Choose: 20’, 40’ or High Cube?
The choice of container depends on several key factors:
Cargo volume
For high-volume cargo, a 40’ or High Cube container may be the better choice.
Cargo weight
In some cases, the weight limit is reached before the available volume is fully utilised.
Type of transport
FCL (Full Container Load) – for larger shipments.
LCL (Less than Container Load) – for smaller shipments.
Choosing the right container is a logistics decision, not simply a matter of available space.
How Does the Container Affect Transportation Costs?
Contrary to intuition, a larger container does not always mean a higher cost. Better utilisation of a 40’ container can often result in a lower transportation cost per unit.
That is why optimising cargo space is one of the key elements of sea freight planning.
Container Shipping in Practice
At ATC Cargo, we support our clients with:
- selecting the appropriate container type,
- organising FCL and LCL shipments,
- optimising transportation costs,
- planning the entire logistics process.
Thanks to our experience in sea freight forwarding, we can tailor the solution to the specific characteristics of the cargo and the transportation route.
Artur Przybyłowski,
External Sales Manager
+ 48 797 595 532
a.przybylowski@atc-cargo.pl
