When arranging overseas sea freight, selecting the correct container is crucial for optimizing your shipment. The standard units for international transport catering to different cargo needs are 20ft and 40ft containers. These general-purpose “Dry Storage Containers” are ideal for a wide range of goods, from boxes and barrels to vehicles and heavy equipment. If you have enough cargo to fill a whole container, an FCL (Full Container Load) shipment is the most efficient option. Understanding these containers’ specifications, weight limits, and capacity will help you make informed decisions and optimize your supply chain.
HongOcean’s Guide to Container Types and Sizes

These two standard shipping containers make up what is commonly known as general-purpose container as these are among the most versatile of the shipping containers able to hold anything from boxes, barrels, pallets, vehicles and even machinery equipment. Before we get to the conclusion of which size of the container is best, we need to look at the size and the types of containers provided by HongOcean.

It is helpful if you are a business person planning to ship some merchandise, then it will be advantageous to arrange a Full Container Load (FCL). is a term often used among the freight forwarders to refer to a state where you pack a particular container with your consignment. Some of the most popular types of containers include; 20ft, 40ft, six foot high cube as well as 40ft high cube. In the same context, HongOcean suggests that one should find the right format of a container depending on the volume and type of products. If your items are bulky or have an awkward size, for example, it is advisable to seek the advice of your supplier or your freight forwarder when selecting a suitable MEISA container.
Why Choose HongOcean for Your Container Shipping Needs?

HongOcean holds the belief that we should provide our customers with the most affordable quotes regarding new and scrap shipping containers for sale. With a facility of 20ft and 40ft units, HongOcean makes it easy for you to find great solutions that suit your unique needs as a client. Now, let’s begin the comparison between the two most rollers used to transport products and merchandise today- 20ft and 40ft shipping containers, and assist you in making the right choice when you are in need of a shipping container.
20ft vs. 40ft Containers: Capacity, Size, and Appearance

20 feet Container Dimensions
- Length: 19’4″ / 5.89m.
- Width: 7’9″ / 2.35m.
- Height: 7’10” / 2.39m.
- Tare weight: 4,894 lbs / 2,220 kg.
- Payload capacity: 48,171 lbs / 21,850 kg.
- Cubic capacity: 1,170 ft³ / 33.2 m³.

40 feet Container Dimensions
- Length: 39’6″ / 12.03m.
- Width: 7’9″ / 2.35m.
- Height: 7’10” / 2.39m.
- Tare weight: 8,245 lbs / 3,740 kg.
- Payload capacity: 58,996 lbs / 26,760 kg.
- Cubic capacity: 2,391 ft³ / 67.7 m³.
What are the different container types?
There are several kinds of shipping containers depending on the specific demand for the cargo to be transported. Here are some of the most common container types available:
1. Standard Dry Containers (20ft and 40ft)

These are the most widespread ones for which the overload factor is defined – general purpose or dry vans. These are built with a view to transporting perishable goods and can be involved in moving the most general or nearly all products that are non-perishable in nature such as electronic goods, clothes, furniture etc.
2. High Cube Containers

High Cube containers are just like normal ones but are actually a foot taller internal width than those, generally they come in 9.6 ft height. They are suitable for your moving process especially when you want to store larger or heavier items that demand more room.
3. Refrigerated Containers (Reefers)
Reefers are specially engineered containers whose temperature has to be regulated so that certain goods such as food products, chemicals and drugs do not spoil while in transit.
4. Open-Top Containers
Unlike the rigid intermediate bulk containers, these ones do not have a rigid top to their structure and hence loads can be dumped on the top. They are normally applied to move bulky or very massive consignments including relative equipment or large segmentation that cannot get through general container doors.
5. Flat Rack Containers
Flat rack containers are containers with no roof and have folding sides, recommended to convey heavy machines, vehicles, boats and construction equipment. They provide ease of loading and unloading from the side or even from the top.
6. Tank Containers

Tank containers are intended for transportation of such substances as liquids, gases or chemicals. It is usually constructed of stainless steel for the frame and may be insulated or pressurized to keep the character of the liquid in transit.
7. Ventilated Containers
Such packaging has air holes and is usually used to transport goods that need air circulation such as coffee or cocoa.
8. Insulated or Thermal Containers
Previously, cooled and insulated containers did not require any mechanical refrigeration to keep the temperature constant. These are used for the produce that requires temperature regulation which is not too low with regard to the freezing point.
9. Half-Height Containers
These containers are actually half the height of the standard container and they are ideal for heavy & dense loads such as minerals, ores or any other raw material. The shorter structures also makes each vehicle easier to load and off load.
10. Side-Opening Containers
Side-opening containers come with doors on the side of the container to allow the loading of wider or odd shaped goods that cannot otherwise fit inside through a standard end opening container.
All these kinds of containers meet their particular uses and customs to decide on the type of some container would depend on the type, weight, size, and if there are aspects that need to be loaded and transported.
Comparing 20ft and 40ft Container Dimensions with HongOcean
To make an informed decision, it’s essential to compare the specific dimensions of these containers to external dimensions:
Dimension | 20ft Container | 40ft Container | |
Length | 5.9 m (19.4ft) | 12.03 m (39.5ft) | |
Width | 2.35 m (7.8ft) | 2.4 m (7.9ft) | |
Height | 2.39 m (7.9ft) | 2.39 m (7.9ft) | |
Weight | 2300 kg (5071.5 lbs) | 3750 kg (8268.8 lbs) | |
Payload Capacity | 25000 kg (55126.9 lbs) | 27600 kg (61200 lbs) | |
Cubic Capacity | 33.2 m² (1172 cu ft) | 67.7 m² (2389 cu ft) |
These figures will then help businesses make better decisions when it comes to their requirements. If you need a more extensive container with greater volume carrying capability, a 40ft container is just what you need. Nevertheless, if space or cost is an issue, a 20ft container will be perhaps more suitable.
HongOcean’s Affordable Shipping Container Solutions
Whether you are looking for a long twenty feet container or a slightly longer forty feet container, both HongOcean Solutions meet your need by offering adjustable prices. If you’ve made up your mind to buy one, HongOcean have a great list of new and used containers to ensure you obtain high-quality shipping containers.

With the capacities and dimensions well understood it is now time to focus on the prices offered by HongOcean. For more information please get in touch with us through our contact page to get you started with the different container solutions ideal for your business.
Get Personalized Container Pricing with HongOcean

The management of HongOcean identified the problem of defining exact costs of containers as critical. That is why we urge you to contact our team if you are facing a similar or any other problem. If you’re interested in the specific expense on 20ft and 40ft containers depending on your preferred location, we provide a free consultation that will take up to 15 minutes of your time. With this understanding of our business around the globe, HongOcean is alwaylocate for your own and the best deal, where you are from a deficit area or in a surplus area.
HongOcean’s Guide: How to Choose Between 20ft and 40ft Container Sizes

Choosing between a 20ft or eight foot container or 40ft container is not a decision which can be based purely on space availability. There are three key factors to consider if you want to make a cost-efficient and transportation-savvy choice: It acts as a factor for determining frequent options such as price, storage and loading capacity plus the volume to weight ratio.
1. Price
Most people believe that a 20ft contain is almost half the cost of a 40ft contain but this is incorrect. This is because a 20ft container is relatively cheaper running about 75% that of a 40ft container. Hence when it is necessary to transport a large volume of goods, then using a 40 ft container is cheaper than the 20 ft container. In fact, if you need more than one 40 foot container each, it might be cheaper to use 40ft containers. For specific details on how you can save on your shipping needs you are advised to contact HongOcean for a quote.
2. Storage and Loading
In general it has more space for loading and storage, the larger the container it is. For shipments involving how many pallets used, it is often more efficient to load them in two rows: One that runs along the length of the container and the other that runs along the width of the container. In the organization’s HongOcean Company the recommendation is made that pallets should be used and be stacked if at all possible. In between choosing a 20ft or a 40ft container, what has to be evaluated is space for storage and loading on the container, in order to maximize filling of the container.
3. Volume vs. Weight
Every shipping container depending on its size: 20ft or 40ft has certain parameters; its volume to weight ration internal dimensions and weight distribution. If you are shipping heavy and large density things such as machinery, metals or cement then it would be best to go for a 20ft container instead. Since they are compact it would not take a very huge load to reach the weight limit before the 20ft container is full.
On the other hand, 40ft of containers are suitable for the consignments which length is more significant than width and height such as furniture or steel pipes. Although a forty feet container cannot transport twice the load maximum gross weight of the twenty feet container, it can carry over twice the space, which makes it suitable for lighter yet oversize products.
Benefits of Using High Cube Containers with HongOcean

High Cube containers possess many benefits, and HongOcean makes sure you enjoy all those benefits you may require in your shipping business or activities. Here’s why choosing High Cube containers through HongOcean can make a difference:
1. Increased Capacity with HongOcean’s High Cube Containers
With most being an extra foot tall, one of the best features that HongOcean has to offer in its High Cube containers is the extra height. They are 9.6 feet high, while the standard ones are 8.6 feet high, only difference which means that the former can offer more storage volume which is suitable for larger loads. This additional room enables a company to transport more goods in one container, which consequently will increase the efficiency of transport particularly of products that need more space but not necessarily more mass.
2. Perfect for Taller Cargo with HongOcean
HongOcean’s High Cube containers are ideal for businesses that often handle large goods because of the following; This extra width internal length is more adequate to receive increased height items like machinery, stacked pallets, or big furniture pieces that cannot be sent through normal containers. Still, if you are in doubt on whether you need a High Cube container for your shipments, HongOcean is here to give professional advice.
3. Cost Efficiency via HongOcean
Nonetheless, a particular transportation technique such on the highway does not alter even when HongOcean deals in the High Cube containers. This enables the business shipment of more products in double the capacity of same container without high costs required for transportation. For bulky yet small volume products, HongOcean guarantees its clients that High Cube container means cost saving per transportation.
4. Improved Air Circulation for Sensitive Cargo
Specifically, the additional height provided by HongOcean’s High Cube containers will help create better airflow around the items you are shipping. It is most advantageous for moving such products as textiles or paper or any other products that need to be ventilated. HongOcean pays a lot of attention to the condition your cargo will be in when it will be delivered, to minimize the chances of your goods getting spoiled through condensation.
5. Versatility with HongOcean’s High Cube Containers
High Cube of HongOcean’s shipping containers is not only restricted to transportation but also for other purposes. Due to their added exterior dimensions, these models are particularly suitable for conversion to a container, for example, an office mobile unit, storage or living accommodation. HongOcean presents many choices and thus these containers make for a good, cheap investment.
6. Efficient Stacking for Maximum Utilization
Below, at HongOcean, shipping versatility is harnessed through guaranteeing that High Cube containers can be restacked on top of standard containers during the sea journey. With this kind it makes it possible to maximize the utilization of the deck space in large shipments while offering cargo protection and proper delivery.
7. Better for Lightweight, Bulky Cargo with HongOcean
For the cargo that is light in weight but occupies a lot of volume such as electronics, textiles etc High Cube containers can be of great use to you since increased height does not necessarily increase the weight in the containers as is maximal in HongOcean’s High Cube container. This guarantees low cost of transportation while at the same time not compromising for large volumes oversized cargo. HongOcean assists you to select the most efficient solution for utilizing the maximum shipping volume at minimum possible cost.
To sum up, High Cube containers through HongOcean makes perfect sense for your business, offering the extra volume, efficiency, and flexibility your production needs today. The cargo you intend to move by sea is thus efficiently, securely and in the best ways that suits HongOcean.
Still Deciding Between a 20ft and 40ft Container? Let HongOcean Help
At HongOcean we know and appreciate that the buying of how many shipping containers is not always an easy decision. For example if you have to choose a container of between twenty feet and forty feet, whether based on cost or space we are here to help you to make the right decision. Come and see us today for great rates and our knowledgeable staff that will detail product shipping to the best of their abilities.
Conclusion
When they choose between a 20ft and a 40ft container, cost and required container volume of a shipment should be considered. Described above container type, a 40ft container is somehow more costly than others but it provides more space and volume if your shipment is volume-sensitive rather than weight-sensitive. On the other hand the 20FT+ container size is used where mostly the material does not require massive space but is heavy or dense in nature but should not exceed the permitted weight for international shipping.
All in all, your decision should be based on the type of cargo, the ratio of total volume, to weight, and, finally, your money bag. At HongOcean you can find a great choice of both 20 ft and 40 ft containers and get professional help to choose a solution that is both efficient and cheap. With help of consultation with HongOcean’s professionals, one can make the right choice concerning the necessary container to use for successful shipping.
You may also be interested in the following: