What Are The Shipping Container Dimensions?

The idea of moving oversized vehicles or construction equipment may seem daunting at first. By researching your options and finding a reliable removals company to guide you, the process will become much more manageable and stress-free.

Are you planning a large move of equipment?

Perhaps your next removal requires heavy-duty handling and stable transit conditions?

Do you have the proper apparatus to load your timber, scrap metal, or excavator?

Perhaps the regular-sized 20ft shipping container dimensions don’t provide enough space for your equipment. To start planning your move and get things underway, you need to make sure you have the right sized shipping container for your equipment.

In this blog, we are going to outline the different dimensions of shipping containers and types that can better support your moving and other project needs.

What Is The Standard Size Of A Shipping Container?

Shipping containers come with different designs that serve specific functions. However, the standard sizes that most people invest in are regular dry van containers that carry general freight.

The dimensions of a standard shipping container range from 8 ft (2.44m) in width to 8’6 ft (2.59m) height. This size container is excellent for storing equipment and everyday storage. However, there is a second option, which is a high-cube container.

High-cube containers are around 8 ft (2.44m) in width and offer a dimension height of 9’6 ft (2.743m). Similar to that of a regular container, the high-cube containers are advantageous when transporting voluminous items with items size at about 2.7m high.

Other designs available for transportation and storage options are refrigerated containers which are excellent for frozen cargo and other “special containers” which are standard for shipping specific items which we will discuss briefly in the next section.

What Shipping Container Dimensions Do I Need To Consider?

International Organisation for Standardization, also referred to as ISO, works hard to ensure the consistent safety and standards of shipping containers. Therefore the shipping container dimensions are chosen explicitly for worldwide consistency and use of the shipping containers.

Having specific standards set for shipping containers create safety for employees in the workplace and cargo that is being shipped and distributed. International Organisation for Standardisation focuses on specifications around quality, safety, health management, and environmental standards.

Here Are 11 Options For Your Container Dimensions:

1. 20 Foot Shipping Container Dimensions

The 20 ft shipping container has ideal dimensions for transporting dry goods and cargo. Although the transportation of liquid in this container is not suitable. The 20 ft container is perfect for bulk carriers of household items and other dry necessities.

To give you a better idea, a 20 ft shipping container can hold up to 200 full-size mattresses to 40 flat-screen TVs. When shipping cargo items, keep in mind tolerance to heat and cold are essential, which will require further container modifications.

20 ft (5.8674m) container dimensions usually are 8 ft. long (2.44m) and 8’6 ft. high (2.59m).

2. 40 Foot Shipping Container Dimensions

The 40 ft shipping container is an excellent option if you are looking for double the space of storage. This size of the container is suitable for when moving homes and household items such as furniture.

To paint a clearer picture, moving a full-size three-bedroom apartment in a 40 ft. container is generally enough. For businesses, you can expect to fit two standard sizes pick up trucks, which is also plenty of space for moving offices, construction supplies, and bulky equipment.

When taking 40 ft. shipping container dimensions this is the kind of numbers you will find: 8 ft. wide (2.44m) and 8’6 ft high (2.59m), length in meters: 12.01m.

3. 20 Foot Flat Rack Container

If you are moving cargo that is oversized than the standard 20 and 40-foot container, then this is an appropriate option for you. A flat rack container is sufficient for businesses transporting construction equipment and heavier loads.

A flat rack container is helpful if you need to transport heavy equipment such as construction vehicles and machines. The dimensions we are looking at for a flat rack container are 8 ft (2.438m) wide and 7 ft (2.333m) high, with a length just under 20 ft (5.638m) in length.

4. 40 Foot Flat Rack Container

Do you have oversized equipment and cargo to relocate? A 40-foot flat rack is large enough to transport heavy vehicles and oversized equipment to your desired destination.

Both flat rack containers are specialised to move cargo that needs to be top-loaded or loaded on the sides due to abnormal and unusual dimensions. These types of containers only have walls on the short ends, leaving them open on the top and the sides.

The 40-foot flat rack container is 39’3 ⅞ ft (11.981m) long with the side walls being 7’4 ft (2.213m) wide and 7’5 ½ ft (2.27m) high.

5. 20 Foot Open Top Container

When you are moving items that exceed the height limits of a hi-cube container having an open-top shipping container is a suitable option to transport and move your precious cargo. Although these containers do have end doors- using a crane or crab to unload and load is a viable option for particular equipment needs.

These containers can transport scrap metal, timber, and in some cases used as rubbish bins during construction and renovations at your business or home.

When transporting items that exceed height limits, these are the perfect containers to transport and store your goods. Dimensions being 7’8 ⅝ ft. (2.352m) wide and 7/10 ¼ ft (2.395m) high with a length of 19’4 ¼ ft (5.9m).

6. 40 Foot Open Top Container

This one is a no brainer.

Having cargo that is longer than 20 feet that exceed the height limits of 7’10 ¼ ft (2.395m), the 40-foot container would be the go for you.

Although both the 20 and 40 ft open top containers carry the same height, the 40-foot container is suitable for toploading and transporting items such as massive timber and scrap metal.

In some cases, you can use a tarpaulin as a roof for your open-top container to protect your cargo in wet conditions.

A 40-foot open top container has similar dimensions to that of a 20-foot container aside from the length being 39’5 ⅝ ft (12.01m) long.

7. 20 Foot Refrigerated Container

As a business, it can become costly to let food spoil during the transportation process.

However, refrigerated options for a container are now available to you to help ensure that your meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables stay safe during transit and adequately refrigerated.

Refrigerated shipping containers, also known as ‘Reefer containers’, come truly airtight with thicker doors and better seals. You can also expect your refrigerated container have thicker floors and no vents. The temperature control ranges from -65 degrees celsius to 40 degrees Celcius.

Refrigerated containers have similar dimensions to the 20-foot containers with a few inches and feet difference due to insulation.

Dimensions: 7’6 ft (2.28m) width 7’4 ½ ft. (2.33m) height and 17’11 ⅝ ft. (5.45m) length

8. 40 Foot Refrigerated Container

Again, similar to that of a 20-foot container, this option is ideal for transporting perishable food items and having complete temperature control.

Another word used for refrigerated containers is “Reefers”, and the dimension sizes are a few feet smaller in height and width compared to the 20 ft reefer; with the length, of course, being the significant addition of space.

The dimensions are as follows: 7’5 ⅜ ft (2.26m) width, 7’1 ⅞ ft (2.18m) height, and 37’11 ¼ ft. (11.48m) length.

9. 20 Foot Ventilated Container

This is another excellent and mandatory option when transporting goods that require proper ventilation, and you need to keep the quality of your goods. An example of foods that need ventilation is grains and coffee.

The number one damage of cargo is due to “sweating” when transporting from hot to cold weather climates. Therefore, having proper ventilation is crucial.

The dimensions of a ventilated 20-foot container are 7’8 ⅝ ft (2.352m) wide, 7’10 ¼ ft. (2.395m) high, with a length of 19’4 ¼ ft (5.9m).

10. 40 Foot High Cube Container

If you are simply looking for a storage space more extensive than your general-purpose 20-40 ft dry container, the 40-foot high cube container could be the go-to to gain some extra height space.

The 40-foot high cube shipping container dimensions are 7’6 ft (2.352m) width, 8’10 ⅛ (2.69m) height, and 39’5 ⅝ (12.01m) length.

11. 20 Foot Isotank Container

You see these containers often carrying fuel, toxic chemicals, and liquids. Iso tank containers are both available and safe to ship as cargo, transport on a truck, or transit by train.

This is an international made model to fit the requirements of ISO.

The Isotank shipping container dimensions are similar to the 20 ft container except the volume is 26,001L. Dimensions are as follows 8’ ft (2.43m) width, 8’6 ft (2.59m) height, with the length being 20’ ft (6.09m).

Shipping Container Size

If you own a large commercial business, with large-scale transport requirements, you can have peace of mind that there are plenty of shipping container options. Shipping container sizes ranging from 10ft to 40 ft can be combined or stacked on top of each other to provide you with convenient spaces from all things mining to construction.

The information we provided you with earlier about shipping container dimensions is based on international measurements. That information gives you a clear picture of what kind of contents you can store and transport inside the container.

Ensure that you have a clear idea of where and how you would like your shipping container placed and delivered. You can call a shipping container supplier company to talk about external measurements.

Things that are vital to consider for a smooth delivery and placement are as follows:

• How much door space do you have? Is the main point of entry through the side doors?
• Will you need to move and change the placement of your container on your construction site? Will you have enough room?

It is crucial to think about potential factors in the area that could potentially restrict your container from being moved, opened, and delivered.

When shopping around for containers here are the exact points of reference when taking external measurements:

1. Length: Measuring the longest side from the farthest points on the container.
2. Width: Measuring from the container door end at the furthest points.
3. Height: Measuring at the frame of the container, top to bottom.

Having the precise measurements ahead of time will save you time to ensure that you mapped out your move and have a seamless strategy in place when having your container prepared, delivered, and picked up.

Have You Decided On Your Container Type?

Now you have a clear idea of the appropriate container dimensions for your next move. It might feel like a weight has been lifted – turns out there are options to have your heavy-duty machines lifted, transported, and delivered, after all!

Make your storage and moving plans easier by hiring a reputable and honourable company that can help support you in working out the gritty details such as delivery, pick up, measurements, and other helpful tips regarding all things shipping containers.

Contact our friendly staff today if you have further questions or you are simply ready to have a shipping container delivered tomorrow!