IMPORTATION OF CONTAINERS
A useful guide to types and sizes
- Gorian Customs SL
Imported Containers - Shipping Containers;
A Brief History.
The idea of loading goods onto trucks for later transport by ship originated 60 years ago thanks to Malcolm McLean, a truck driver from North Carolina.
McLean improved and perfected the process, and as a result, goods were allowed to travel in containers, which could be removed from the truck chassis and loaded or unloaded directly onto the ship.
Consequently, after a decade and with the intervention of the American Navy, the standardization of container dimensions led to the establishment and development of the international standard ISO (International Standards Organization) shipping container.
Finally, manufacturers could offer an endless variety of products worldwide at low cost, loading goods in their factories and shipping them directly to stores and warehouses anywhere in the world, adapting to the needs of exporters and importers, safely and efficiently shipping all types of goods. The 20-foot and standard 40-foot containers are the most widely used container types worldwide for maritime freight transport.
The maritime container, also known as a “container” dates back to the Second World War, with the purpose of transporting war materials (Container Import).
Types of Containers and Their Measurements
It is important to know when importing containers, to take into the types and dimensions of the containers, to determine which is the most appropriate according to your type of shipment and merchandise when importing containers.
There are currently 12 different types of containers:
Standard 20 and 40 foot container
Standard 40 and 45 foot HC container
20 and 40 foot open top container
20 and 40 foot refrigerated container
20-foot ventilated container
20 and 40 foot flat rack containers
20-foot tank container
Container Specifications
STANDARD 20-FOOT CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
The standard container is hermetically sealed and has no cooling or ventilation systems.
Container Opening in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅛” HEIGHT 7′ 6 ¼”
Container opening in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.39m
Interior Dimensions in feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅝” HEIGHT 7′ 6 ¼” LENGTH 19′ 4 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.29m LENGTH 5.9m
CONTAINER WEIGHTS:
In lbs. Max. Gross Weight: 52,831 lbs. Tare: 4,914 lbs. Max. Payload: 47,899 lbs.
In kg. Max. Gross Weight: 23,956 kg. Tare: 2,229 kg. Max. Payload: 21,727 kg.
CONTAINER VOLUME:
Cargo capacity 1,172 CFT 33.2 CBM
A 20-ton container allows for the transport of 11 stacks of European pallets or 10 stacks of standard pallets.
STANDARD 40-FOOT CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
The standard container is hermetically sealed and has no cooling or ventilation systems.
Container Opening in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅛” HEIGHT 7′ 6 ¼”
Container opening in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.29m
Interior Dimensions in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅝” HEIGHT 7′ 6 ¼” LENGTH 37′ 11 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.29m LENGTH 12.01m
CONTAINER WEIGHTS:
In lbs. Max. Gross Weight: 67,199 lbs. Tare Weight: 5,220 lbs. Max. Payload: 59,039 lbs.
In kg. Max. Gross Weight: 30,481 kg. Tare Weight: 3,701 kg. Max. Payload: 26,780 kg.
CONTAINER VOLUME:
Cargo capacity 2,389.75 CFT 67.67 CBM
A 40-gauge container can transport up to 25 stacks of European pallets.
STANDARD 40-FOOT CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
The standard container is hermetically sealed and has no cooling or ventilation systems.
Container Opening in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅛” HEIGHT 7′ 6 ¼”
Container opening in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.29m
Interior Dimensions in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅝” HEIGHT 7′ 6 ¼” LENGTH 37′ 11 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.29m LENGTH 12.01m
CONTAINER WEIGHTS:
In lbs. Max. Gross Weight: 67,199 lbs. Tare Weight: 5,220 lbs. Max. Payload: 59,039 lbs.
In kg. Max. Gross Weight: 30,481 kg. Tare Weight: 3,701 kg. Max. Payload: 26,780 kg.
CONTAINER VOLUME:
Cargo capacity 2,389.75 CFT 67.67 CBM
A 40-gauge container can transport up to 25 stacks of European pallets.
STANDARD 45 FT HC CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Dimensions of a 45 HC (High Cube) container are hermetically sealed and do not have cooling or ventilation systems.
Container Opening in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅛” HEIGHT 8′ 6 ¼”
Container opening in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.56m
Interior Dimensions in Feet WIDTH 7′ 8 ⅝” HEIGHT 8′ 10 ⅛” LENGTH 44′ 4 ¾”
Interior dimensions in meters WIDTH 2.34m HEIGHT 2.69m LENGTH 13.53 m
CONTAINER WEIGHTS:
In lbs. Max. Gross Weight: 74,960 lbs. Tare: 10,910 lbs. Max. Payload: 64,050 lbs.
In kg. Max. Gross Weight: 3,4000 kg. Tare: 4,950 kg. Max. Payload: 29,050 kg.
CONTAINER VOLUME:
Cargo capacity 3,122 CFT 88.4 CBM
STANDARD 20 FOOT VENTILATED CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
It is a type of container that has a ventilation system thanks to its side openings, allowing air circulation.
Its ventilation system allows hot air to be expelled from the interior and fresh air to be brought in from the outside, ensuring that condensation of gases or moisture that could affect the load does not occur.
This makes it the most suitable container for transporting goods that require a constant temperature without abrupt changes.
One of the main products transported in this type of container is coffee, which is why it is also known as a coffee container.
The weight, maximum loads, external and internal dimensions are the same as those of a standard 20 container.
STANDARD 20-FOOT REFRIGERATED CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Refrigerated containers are also known as reefer containers or refrigerated containers. These containers have a system that allows them to maintain a temperature between -25°C and +25°C. These containers cannot cool the temperature because they do not generate cold air; they can only maintain it.
Some special refrigerated containers can maintain temperatures as low as -60ºC.
The refrigerated container has an integrated motor that allows for temperature cooling; the system must be connected to the power grid of ships, ports, or trucks for land transport.
It is essential to ensure, with the relevant freight forwarder, that the entire international transport chain, from the truck to the port facilities, guarantees the availability of the necessary equipment to maintain the refrigeration of this type of container.
Its most common use is in the transport of fresh and frozen foods, such as fish, meat, fruits, and other perishable cargo. It is also very common in the transport of medications and other shipments from the pharmaceutical industry.
The only dimension that changes between a standard 20 and a refrigerated 20 is the INTERIOR LENGTH at 17′ 11 ⅝” or 5.45m
STANDARD 40-FOOT REFRIGERATED CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Refrigerated containers are also known as reefer containers or refrigerated containers. These containers have a system that allows them to maintain a temperature between -25°C and +25°C. These containers cannot cool the temperature because they do not generate cold air; they can only maintain it.
Some special refrigerated containers can maintain temperatures as low as -60ºC.
The refrigerated container has an integrated motor that allows for temperature cooling; the system must be connected to the power grid of ships, ports, or trucks for land transport.
It is essential to ensure, with the relevant freight forwarder, that the entire international transport chain, from the truck to the port facilities, guarantees the availability of the necessary equipment to maintain the refrigeration of this type of container.
Its most common use is in the transport of fresh and frozen foods, such as fish, meat, fruits, and other perishable cargo. It is also very common in the transport of medications and other shipments from the pharmaceutical industry.
The only dimension that changes between a standard 20 and a refrigerated 20 is the INTERIOR LENGTH at 37′ 11 ¼” or 11.48 m
CONTAINER WEIGHTS:
In lbs. Max. Gross Weight: 67,053 lbs. Tare: 10,778 lbs. Max. Payload: 56,275 lbs.
In kg. Max. Gross Weight: 30,415 kg. Tare: 4,889 kg. Max. Payload: 25,526 kg.
20 FOOT FLAT RACK CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Flat rack containers are designed to provide multimodal transport options for all loads whose dimensions, package distribution, or weight prevent them from being transported in standard or dry van containers, whether 20, 40, or 40 HC feet.
They are made of metal sheets, fitted to a standard 20- or 40-foot frame. The sides fold down and they have no roof or top.
This type of container is used to transport the following goods:
Very heavy goods that must be loaded into the container using cranes or specialized equipment, such as those used in the machinery industry.
Goods with a height greater than that of a 20- or 40-foot High Cube container or with very irregular volumes, such as industrial vehicles or pipes.
Since this container has no sides or top, it presents certain challenges. The goods travel exposed to rain, wind, and other weather conditions. Therefore, the only way to ensure that the cargo remains secure or inside the container is by lashing it down.
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Interior Dimensions in Feet WIDTH 8′ 7′ HEIGHT 3 ⅞” LENGTH 19′ 9 ¾”
Interior dimensions in meters WIDTH 2,438m HEIGHT 2,233m LENGTH 5,638m
CONTAINER WEIGHT:
Weight in lbs – Max. Gross Weight 99,200 lbs, Tare Weight 6,400 lbs, Max. Payload 92,800 lbs
Weight in kg – Max. Gross Weight 45,000 kg, Tare Weight 2,900 kg, Max. Payload 42,100 kg
LOAD CAPACITY:
1,154.3 CFT 32.7 CBM
20 FOOT FLAT RACK CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Flat rack containers are designed to provide multimodal transport options for all loads whose dimensions, package distribution, or weight prevent them from being transported in standard or dry van containers, whether 20, 40, or 40 HC feet.
They are made of metal sheets, fitted to a standard 20- or 40-foot frame. The sides fold down and they have no roof or top.
This type of container is used to transport the following goods:
Very heavy goods that must be loaded into the container using cranes or specialized equipment, such as those used in the machinery industry.
Goods with a height greater than that of a 20- or 40-foot High Cube container or with very irregular volumes, such as industrial vehicles or pipes.
Since this container has no sides or top, it presents certain challenges. The goods travel exposed to rain, wind, and other weather conditions. Therefore, the only way to ensure that the cargo remains secure or inside the container is by lashing it down.
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Interior Dimensions in Feet WIDTH 8′ 7′ HEIGHT 3 ⅞” LENGTH 39′ 3 ⅞”
Interior dimensions in meters WIDTH 2.438m HEIGHT 2.233m LENGTH 11.98 m
CONTAINER WEIGHT:
Weight in lbs – Max. gross weight 98,326 lbs Tare 12,897 lbs Max. payload 85,429 lbs
Weight in kg – Max. gross weight 44,600 kg Tare 5,850 kg Max. payload 38,750 kg
LOAD CAPACITY:
1,860 CFT 52.7 CBM
20/40 FT OPEN TOP CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
The open-top container can be 20 or 40 feet and has no top. Therefore, it has the same dimensions as a standard 20- and 40-foot container.
The type of goods transported in this type of container is the same as in a flat rack container, but with more regular dimensions on the sides.
It is ideal for loads that are too heavy and need to be lifted by crane or are too tall and therefore do not fit in a 40HC container.
The open-top container has side walls and can be covered with a tarp to protect the goods while traveling.
A 20-foot open-top container allows a maximum load of approximately 28 tons.
A 40-foot open-top container can hold up to approximately 30 tons.
20 FOOT TANK CONTAINER DIMENSIONS:
Tank containers, or isotanks, are specifically designed for the transportation of liquids or gases. They are also known by their acronyms, Isotank, Tanktainer, Tank Container, and Iso Tank Container.
They allow the maritime transport of bulk cargo, including liquid foodstuffs such as oil or wine, as well as hazardous substances.
Tank containers intended for the shipment of dangerous goods must comply with a series of additional regulations.
Once an isotank container is marked for use as a hazardous cargo container, it can no longer be used for shipping other types of conventional bulk cargo.
In this container, the tank or cistern travels within a frame that allows for lashing and conforms to ISO standards. The tank is covered with an insulating material that protects it from the elements.
Isotanks are one of the most effective solutions for intermodal bulk transport. They have the advantage of being safer, more agile, environmentally friendly, and more economical than other options such as drums.
The most common tank containers are 20 or 40 feet, but other sizes also exist, such as 10 feet or 30 feet.
The information, dimensions, weights, etc., provided on this page by Gorian Customs are for informational purposes only and are approximate. We always recommend that you conduct your own due diligence regarding dimensions and load capacity or consult with a logistics company before making any decisions.
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