A 40-foot container is a large steel box built to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specifications. It’s designed for the safe, efficient transport and storage of goods across long distances. Thanks to its standardized dimensions, it can be easily transferred between ships, trucks, and trains, making it a key component of global logistics.
These containers—whether standard dry or high cube—are known for their durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. As a result, they play a crucial role in streamlining international trade and are a popular choice for transporting large volumes of cargo efficiently.
40-foot container size
The dimensions of a 40-foot container are:
- Exterior Dimensions (in feet): 40’ long x 8’ wide x 8’ 6” high
- Exterior Dimensions (in meters): 12.19m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high
- Interior Dimensions (in feet): 39’ 6” long x 7’ 9” wide x 7’ 10” high
- Internal Dimensions (in meters): 12.025m long x 2.352m wide x 2.393m high
- Usable Capacity: 67.7m3
| Dimension Type | Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Height (ft) | Length (m) | Width (m) | Height (m) |
| Exterior | 40′ | 8′ | 8′ 6″ | 12.19m | 2.44m | 2.59m |
| Interior | 39′ 6″ | 7′ 9″ | 7′ 10″ | 12.025m | 2.352m | 2.393m |
Note: 1 ft = 0.3048 m
What is the weight of a 40-foot container?
- Empty weight: about 3,700 kg (3.7 t)
- Maximum load: about 26,000 kg (26 t)
- Gross weight (fully loaded): about 29,700 kg (29.7 t)
| Type of Weight for 40-foot Container | Standard 40-foot Container | 40-foot High Cube | Note |
| Empty Container Weight (kg/lb) | Approx. 3,750 kg (8,268 lb) | Approx. 4,150 kg (9,149 lb) | – |
| Maximum Gross Weight (kg/lb) | Approx. 30,480 kg (67,200 lb) | – | Includes the weight of the container itself |
| Maximum Net Weight (kg/lb) | Approx. 26,730 kg (58,932 lb) | – | – |
| Delivery Gross Weight (tons) | 22 tons | 22 tons | The total weight of the cargo must not exceed 22 tons |
| Overweight Standard (tons) | Generally allowed up to 30-32 tons | – | To avoid extra shipping costs or transportation risks; according to international shipping regulations and railway transportation standards |
How much can a 40-foot container hold?
- Cuft volume: 67 m3
- A 40-foot container is suitable for lighter or bulky goods. Depending on the density of the goods, it can generally hold around 18–22 tons.
What are the types of 40-foot containers?
| Container Type | Description | Suitable Cargo Types |
| Standard Dry Container | Used for transporting various general goods. | Textiles, electronic products, machinery, chemical products, etc. |
| High Cube Container | One foot taller than a standard container. | Larger but lighter cargo such as furniture and large equipment. |
| Refrigerated Container | Equipped with refrigeration for transporting perishable goods. | Food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc. |
| Open Top Container | The top can be opened for loading ultra-high cargo. | Machinery, equipment, construction materials, etc. |
| Flat Rack Container | No side or top walls, suitable for oversized and overweight cargo. | Vehicles, large machinery and equipment like excavators, etc. |
It’s important to recognize that the cost of a 40-foot container can vary significantly depending on its type. For example, a refrigerated 40-foot container for transporting temperature-sensitive goods is typically much more expensive than a standard dry container. This price difference is due to the specialized equipment and technology required to maintain temperature control, increasing energy consumption.
When planning shipments, businesses must consider these factors alongside the container cost to ensure they make the most cost-effective decision for their needs.
How to transport a 40-foot container
A 40-foot container is a standard piece of international shipping equipment that is typically used for ocean, land, and intermodal transportation. Here is a complete guide to shipping a 40-foot container.
1. Cargo preparation
- Cargo packaging: Pack the goods by standard packaging requirements to ensure their safety.
- Cargo manifest: Make a packing list and invoice listing the goods’ type, quantity, and specification.
- Booking space: contact the freight forwarder or logistics company to book a cabin or transportation service.
2. Container dispatching
- Container Rental or Purchase: If you don’t have your own container, you can rent one from a shipping or leasing company.
- Empty Container Transportation: Empty containers are transported from the yard to the loading place (factory or warehouse).
3. Packing
- Packing: Load the goods into the container. Pay attention to the placement of the goods and the distribution of the center of gravity to avoid the goods sliding during transportation.
- Reinforcement of goods: Use straps, air cushions, or wooden boards to reinforce the goods to prevent collision damage.
- Seal the container: after loading is completed, close the container with seals to ensure the safety of the goods.
4. Container transportation
- Land transportation: Transportation of loaded containers to ports by trucks or railroads.
- Port operation: unloading, inspection, and customs clearance of containers at the port.
- Ship loading: loading containers onto cargo ships.
5. Sea Freight
- Tracking in Transit: Use the tracking number provided by the shipping company to track the container in real-time.
- Destination Port Operations: After arriving at the destination port, complete the unloading, customs clearance, and other procedures.
6. Unpacking and delivery
- Land delivery: the container is transported from the destination port to the customer’s designated location by truck or rail.
- Unpacking: after the customer receives the container, the seal is broken, and the goods are unloaded.
- Return of the empty container: the empty container is transported back to the depot or rental company.
7. Follow-up processing
- Documentation: ensure that all documents, such as bills of lading and customs clearance, are filed.
- Customer feedback: confirm with the customer that the goods are intact.
Note:
- Goods compliance: Ensure that the goods do not violate the relevant regulations of the exporting and importing countries.
- Insurance purchase: It is recommended that freight insurance be purchased to reduce transportation risks.
- Timeliness: Select the appropriate transportation method according to the characteristics of the goods to ensure timely delivery.
40-foot container shipping cost
Container transport costs are affected by several factors, the main ones being
- Transport distance: Long-distance transport is more expensive than short-distance transport.
- Transport method: Sea Freight, rail, truck, etc. Different transport methods have different costs.
- Type of goods: For example, perishable goods or goods that require special protection will have higher transport costs.
- Container status: The cost will also increase if special handling is required (e.g., refrigerated containers).
- Port fees, insurance, customs duties: Additional costs must be considered.
To give you a clearer idea of the cost of shipping a 40-ft container, we use the example of shipping from China to the United States. The shipping cost is approximately 4,700-6,200$. If you want the latest container shipping price, please get in touch with us, and you will get the latest quotation and preferential policies.
| Shipping Option | Lead Time | Cost Range | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Shipping | 23 to 30 days | $50 to $85 per cubic meter | Smaller shipments not requiring a full container |
| FCL Shipping (40-foot container) | 23 to 30 days | $4,700 to $6,200 | Cost-effective for larger, bulk shipments |
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