40-Foot Container Dimensions, Weights and Uses

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

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)

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.

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.

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