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Sea containers intended for intercontinental use have external nominal dimensions of:
Length
9.8125 feet (2.991m) as 10 feet;
19.875 feet (6.058m) as 20 feet;
29.9375 feet (9.125m) as 30 feet; and
40 feet (12.192m)
Width
8 feet (2.438m)
Height
8.5 feet (2.591m) and
9.5 feet (2.896m) |
All above dimensions have permissible tolerances.
The 20 feet (20') and 40 feet (40') containers are very popular in ocean freight. The 8.5 feet (8.5') high container---8 feet 6 inches (8' 6") high container---is often referred to as standard container.
The demand for the high cube container---hicube---is increasing. The popular high cube container has a normal height of 9.5 feet (9.5' or 9' 6").
There are half height containers (4.25' or 4' 3" high) designed for heavy loads such as steel rods and ingots, which absorb the weight limit in half the normal space.
The most widely used type of container is the general purpose (dry cargo) container having a nominal length and height of 20' x 8.5', 40' x 8.5', and 40' x 9.5'. Referring to the Dimension of General Purpose Containers below, the dimensions shown in the table are not fixed, that is, the external and internal dimensions may vary among containers of the same length and height.
The container capacity is the total cube a container can accommodate. The term cube often refers to the cubic measurement of cargo. The capacity (i.e., the internal volume) is determined by multiplying the internal dimensions, that is, the product of internal length, width and height. The capacity may vary among containers of the same length and height. |
Rating, Tare Mass and Payload of Containers
Rating is the maximum gross mass (or weight), that is, the maximum permissible weight of a container plus its contents. The rating of a 20' dry cargo container is 24,000 kgs. (52,900 lbs.), and a 40', including the high cube container, is 30,480 kgs. (67,200 lbs.).
Tare Mass---tare weight or tare---is the mass (or weight) of empty container, including all fittings and appliances used in a particular type of container in its normal operating condition. The tare mass of containers may vary due to the different construction techniques and materials used in the container. A 20' x 8.5' dry cargo container may weigh 1,800 kgs. to 2,400 kgs., a 40' x 8.5' may weigh 2,800 kgs. to 4,000 kgs, and a 40' x 9.5' may weigh 3,900 kgs. to 4,200 kgs. Some dry cargo containers may fall outside the indicated weight range. The reefer weighs more than a dry cargo container of the same size.
Payload is the maximum permitted mass (or weight) of payload, including the dunnage and cargo securement arrangements that are not associated with the container in its normal operating condition. Therefore, Payload = Rating - Tare Mass. If the tare mass of a 20' dry cargo container is 2,400 kgs. and a 40' is 3,900 kgs., the payload of 20' is 21,600 kgs. (i.e., 24,000 kgs. minus 2,400 kgs.) and 40' is 26,580 kgs. (i.e., 30,480 kgs. minus 3,900 kgs.). However, the exporter may be prohibited to have that much payload in areas where there are legal limitations to the overall load of a vehicle.
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The Marking and Identification of Containers
The rating, tare mass and payload of a container is marked on its wall, usually on the end (rear) door in the case of an end-loading dry cargo container. Each container has an identification code or container number---a combination of the 4-letter characters that identify the owner (the operator of container) and the 7-numeric characters that identify the container. The container number can be found on the outer and inner side walls. The container number is entered on the bill of lading to facilitate the identification and tracking of the container and the cargo. |
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Air freight container dimensions
Main Deck Pallet
(Equivalent to IATA Type 2)
External Displacement:
606 cu ft/17.16 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
15,000 lb/6,804 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 96" x 96"
317cm x 244cm x 244cm |
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LD-7
(Equivalent to IATA Type 5)
External Displacement:
379.9 cu ft/10 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
10,200 lb/4,627 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 88" x 63"
317 cm x 223 cm x 160 cm |
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P9A Lower Deck Pallet
(Equivalent to IATA Type 6)
External Displacement:
242 cu ft/6.9 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
7,000 lb/3,175 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 60" x 63"
317 cm x 152 cm x 160 cm |
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LD-11
(Equivalent to IATA Type 6)
Internal Capacity:
242 cu ft/6.9 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
7,000 lbs/3,176 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 60" x 64"
317 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm |
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LD-8
(Equivalent to IATA Type 6A)
Internal Capacity:
243 cu ft/6.9 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
5,400 lb/2,450 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
96" x 60" x 64"
228 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm |
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LD-4
(Equivalent to IATA Type 7A)
Internal Capacity:
174 cu ft/5 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
5,400 lb/2,450 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
96" x 60" x 64"
228 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm |
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LD-3
(Equivalent to IATA Type 8)
Internal Capacity:
150 cu ft/4 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
3,500 lb/1,588 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
61" x 60" x 64"
154 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm |
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LD-2
(Equivalent to IATA Type 8D)
Internal Capacity:
120 cu ft/3 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight:
2,700 lb/1,225 kg
Maximum External Dimensions:
(L x W x H) Contoured
47" x 60" x 64"
119 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm |
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