Compare shipping container sizes for sea freight.
Use this ALINNZA guide to compare 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft high cube shipping container dimensions and weights. These specifications help businesses plan sea freight, container loading, customs clearance, container delivery, and devanning.
Container dimensions, tare weight, payload, and maximum gross weight help determine whether your cargo is suitable for a 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft high cube container.
- Sea freight imports and exports.
- FCL, LCL, container delivery, and devanning.
- Checking cargo dimensions, weight, and loading access.
20ft shipping container
A 20ft container is often used for dense cargo, commercial goods, machinery parts, boxed freight, and shipments where payload is more important than total volume.
40ft shipping container
A 40ft container provides more internal volume for larger shipments, palletised cargo, furniture, retail goods, equipment, and general commercial freight.
40ft high cube container
A 40ft high cube container offers additional height, making it useful for tall, light, bulky, or high-volume cargo that needs more vertical space.
20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube container dimensions.
The figures below are a practical guide for freight planning. Exact container dimensions and weights can vary by shipping line, manufacturer, age, and equipment type, so final suitability should be checked before booking.
| Specification | 20ft container | 40ft container | 40ft high cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| External L x W x H | 6090 x 2440 x 2590mm | 12180 x 2440 x 2590mm | 12180 x 2440 x 2900mm |
| Internal L x W x H | 6010 x 2340 x 2390mm | 12110 x 2340 x 2390mm | 12110 x 2340 x 2690mm |
| Door opening W x H | 2280 x 2310mm | 2280 x 2310mm | 2280 x 2580mm |
| Tare weight | 2050 kg | 3750 kg | 3890 kg |
| Payload / net weight | 28430 kg | 26730 kg | 26590 kg |
| Maximum gross weight | 30480 kg | 30400 kg | 30480 kg |
What to consider before choosing a container.
Container selection depends on more than length. Weight, cargo value, packaging, loading method, customs documents, and final delivery access can all affect the right option.
Check cargo against internal size
Always compare cargo dimensions with internal dimensions and door opening sizes, especially for machinery, crates, out-of-gauge cargo, and tall goods.
Review tare, payload and gross weight
Tare weight is the empty container weight, payload is the cargo capacity, and maximum gross weight is the combined container and cargo limit.
Plan container delivery and devanning
Consider site access, unloading equipment, time on site, loading dock availability, and whether the container needs delivery, devanning, or onward road transport.
Questions about shipping container dimensions and weights.
These answers explain how container size and weight details are used when planning sea freight with ALINNZA.
Should I use a 20ft or 40ft container?
A 20ft container can suit heavier compact cargo, while a 40ft container offers more volume for larger shipments. The best option depends on cargo weight, dimensions, and route.
When is a 40ft high cube container useful?
A high cube container is useful when cargo needs additional height, such as tall equipment, lightweight bulky goods, furniture, retail stock, or high-volume freight.
Are these container dimensions exact?
They are guide figures. Container specifications can vary by shipping line, equipment type, and container age, so exact dimensions should be checked before loading.
What information helps ALINNZA quote container shipping?
Share cargo description, dimensions, weight, number of packages, origin, destination, Incoterms, customs needs, loading method, and delivery requirements.
Need a sea freight or container shipping quote?
Send your cargo details to ALINNZA for support with sea freight, 20ft and 40ft containers, customs clearance, warehousing, container delivery, and devanning.