Shipping Container Sizes

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Containers, in general, are comprised of 14-gauge corrugated steel panels throughout. They have lockable double doors on one end, except the DD container, which means “double door.” Double-door containers have door sets on both ends.

The most common sea freight container sizes are those measuring 20 or 40 feet long. Here is some shipping industry lingo... WWT means “wind and water tight.” CW means “cargo worthy.” Tare weight, sometimes called unladen weight, is the weight of an empty container.

You may run across a few other industry terms or abbreviations. GP means “general purpose,” and it’s used to designate a standard container. HC stands for “high cube,” which is a container that is 1 foot higher than the standard GP containers. Here are some popular container sizes and weights.

20-Foot Shipping Containers

Containers that are 20 feet long are available in standard and HC (High Cube)

  • 20 GP (standard) external dimensions: 20′ long x 8′ wide x 8′ 6″ high
  • Internal dimensions: 19′ 4″ long x 7′ 8″ wide x 7′ 10″ high
  • Door opening: 7′ 8″ wide x 7′ 6″ high
  • Tare Weight: 4500 lbs.

20-Foot High Cube Containers

  • 20-foot HC (High Cube) external dimension:. 20′ long x 8′ wide x 9′ 6″ high
  • Internal dimensions: 19′ 4″ long x 7′ 8″ wide x 8′ 10″ high
  • Door opening: 7′ 8″ wide X 8′ 6″ high
  • Tare Weight 4900 lbs.

40-Foot Shipping Containers

Containers in the 40-foot range come in standard and HC (High Cube) varieties.

  • 40 GP (standard) external dimensions: 40′ long x 8′ wide x 8′ 6″ high
  • Internal dimensions: 39′ 5″ long x 7′ 8″ wide x 7′ 10″ high
  • Door opening: 7′ 8″ wide x 7′ 6″ high
  • Tare Weight: 8200 lbs.

40-Foot High Cube Containers

  • 40 HC (high cube) container external dimensions: 40′ long x 8′ wide x 9′ 6″ high
  • Internal dimensions: 39′ 5″ long x 7′ 8″ wide x 8′ 10″ high
  • Door opening: 7′ 8″ wide x 8′ 6″ high
  • Tare Weight: 8700 lbs.

45-Foot Shipping Containers

Containers that measure 45 and 53 feet in length are available in the high cube variety, with a shipping container height and door height that is 1 foot taller than the standard container height.

  • 45 HC container external dimensions: 45′ long x 8′ wide x 9′ 6″ high
  • Internal dimensions: 44.5′ long x 7′ 8″ wide x 8′ 10″ high
  • Door opening: 7′ 8″ wide x 8′ 6″ high
  • Tare Weight: 10.910 lbs.

53-Foot Shipping Containers

  • 53 HC: 53′ long x 8′ 6″ wide x 9′ 6″ high
  • Internal dimensions: 52′ 5″ long x 8′ 2″ wide x 8′ 11″ high
  • Door opening: 8′ 2″ wide x 8′ 10″ high
  • Tare Weight: 12,300 lbs.
  • Important note: 53-foot containers are the only containers that you can place 48-inch pallets inside and have them side by side.
  • Unlike other containers, 53-foot containers are not utilized for international shipping.

*Container weights and measurements may vary.