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Home > Freight 101 Library > Shipping Container Dimensions: Container, Pallet and Box Sizes
Lost in the mess of TEUs, LD1s, and pallets? Get definitions and dimensions for freight containers, pallets, and boxes right here.
Table of Contents
- Ocean Container Sizes
- 20ft Container Capacity
- 40ft Container Dimensions
- Other Ocean Container Sizes
- Air Freight Container Types
- Pallet Sizes
- Other Shipping Containers
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Lost in the mess of TEUs, LD1s, and pallets?
Navigating the intricacies of the logistics and shipping world can often feel like you’re lost in a sea of acronyms and dimensions. Terms like TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), LD1s, and pallets can sound like a foreign language to the uninitiated. Let’s break down these definitions and dimensions to demystify the world of freight containers, pallets, and boxes.
TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units): TEUs are a standard measurement for container capacity in the shipping industry. They represent the volume of a standard 20-foot-long shipping container. These containers are commonly used to transport goods globally, and their size is a critical factor in determining shipping costs and capacity.
LD1s: LD1s, or “Lower Deck Containers 1,” are specialized containers designed for air cargo. They are designed to fit snugly in the lower deck of wide-body aircraft, optimizing the use of space. LD1s come in different dimensions and are essential for efficiently transporting goods via air freight.
Pallets: Pallets are a fundamental component of shipping and logistics. They are wooden or plastic platforms on which goods are stacked and secured. Pallets come in various sizes, with the most common being the standard 48×40 inches. They not only facilitate the efficient loading and unloading of cargo but also play a crucial role in warehouse storage and transportation.
Understanding these terms and dimensions is key to effectively planning your shipments and managing your logistics operations. If you’re ready to take the next step and get a quote for your upcoming shipment, our handy estimator tool is here to help. It streamlines the process, allowing you to input your cargo details, select container types or pallet sizes, and receive an accurate estimate for your shipping costs. With this estimator, you can make informed decisions and ensure your goods reach their destination on time and within budget. Say goodbye to the confusion and uncertainty—take control of your logistics with our user-friendly tool and embark on a smoother shipping journey.
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Ocean Container Sizes
Ocean containers come in a variety of sizes, from the standard to the more specialized.
20ft Container Capacity
Also known as a TEU (20-foot equivalent unit), a 20ft container is the smallest shipping container.
| Mode | Container | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Containers | Full 20′ container (TEU FCL) | Standard twenty-foot container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee. |
| Ocean Containers | 20′ flat rack | Twenty-foot open-topped and open-sided unit that fits into an existing below-deck container and is used for oversized cargo and wheeled or tracked vehicles. |
| Ocean Containers | 20′ refrigerated | Twenty-foot refrigerated shipping container for transporting perishables having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system. |
| Ocean Containers | 20′ non operative reefer (NOR) | Twenty-foot refrigerated shipping container having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system that is non operative. |
| Ocean Containers | 20′ ISO tank container | Twenty-foot container or tanktainer that is an intermodal container for the transport of liquids gases and powders as bulk cargo. |
| Ocean Containers | 20′ open top | Twenty-foot container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded from the top. |
How Many Pallets & Boxes Fit In A 20 Foot Container?
The average number of pallets that fit in a standard 20ft container is 10.
A standardpalletcan fit 60boxes, so if a container fits 10 pallets of 60 boxes on average, the number of boxes in a 20ft container is 600.
40ft Container Dimensions
Also known as an FEU (40-foot equivalent unit), a 40ft container is the equivalent of two TEUs.
| Mode | Container | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Containers | Full 40′ container (FEU FCL) | Standard forty-foot container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee. |
| Ocean Containers | Full 40’HC container (FCL) | Hi-cube forty-foot container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee. |
| Ocean Containers | 40′ flat rack | Forty-foot open-topped and open-sided unit that fits into an existing below-deck container and is used for oversized cargo and wheeled or tracked vehicles. |
| Ocean Containers | 40′ refrigerated | Forty-foot refrigerated shipping container for transporting perishables having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system. |
| Ocean Containers | 40’HC refrigerated | Hi-cube forty-foot refrigerated container that is used for transporting perishables having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system. |
| Ocean Containers | 40′ non operative reefer (NOR) | Forty-foot refrigerated shipping container having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system that is non operative. |
| Ocean Containers | 40’HC non operative reefer (NOR) | Hi-cube forty-foot refrigerated shipping container having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system that is non operative. |
| Ocean Containers | 40′ ISO tank container | Forty-foot container or tanktainer that is an intermodal container for the transport of liquids gases and powders as bulk cargo. |
| Ocean Containers | 40′ open top | Forty-foot container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded from the top. |
| Ocean Containers | 40’HC open top | Hi-cube forty-foot container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded from the top. |
How Many Pallets & Boxes Fit In A 40 Foot Container?
The average number of pallets that fit in a standard 40ft container is 20.
A standard pallet can fit 60 boxes, so if a container fits 20 pallets of 60 boxes on average, the number of boxes in a 40ft container is 1200.
Other Ocean Container Sizes
| Mode | Container | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Containers | Full 45’HC container (FCL) | Hi-cube forty five-foot container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee. |
| Ocean Containers | Drum | (Barrels) Cylindrical container used for shipping liquids and powders and is often certified for shipment of dangerous goods. |
| Ocean Containers | Ro ro | Roll-on/roll-off ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles and trucks. |
| Ocean Containers | Container48 | Forty eight-foot hi-cube container. |
| Ocean Containers | Container53 | Fifty three-foot hi-cube container. |
Air Freight Container Types
Air containers come in standard sizes that make air freight more efficient and secure.
| Mode | Container | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Air Shipping | LD1 | 92″ wide contoured half width container used for a wide-body aircraft. |
| Air Shipping | LD2 | 61.5″ wide contoured half width container used for a wide-body aircraft.” |
| Air Shipping | LD3 | 79″ wide contoured half width container used for a wide-body aircraft. Dimension are according to IATA. |
| Air Shipping | LD7 | 88″/96″ wide contoured full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. |
| Air Shipping | LD6 | 160″ wide contoured full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. (equivalent to 2 LD3s) |
| Air Shipping | LD8 | 125″ wide contoured full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. (equivalent to 2 LD2s) |
| Air Shipping | LD11 | 125″ wide full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. (same as LD6 but without contours; rectangular) |
Pallet Sizes
Portable platform on which goods can be moved, stacked, and stored. See the pallet sizes for containers available below.
| Mode | Container | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pallets | EUR1/ISO1 pallet (80×120cm) | Standard pallet with the dimensions 80 X 120 cm. |
| Pallets | EUR2/ISO2 pallet (120×100cm) | Standard pallet with the dimensions 100 X 120 cm. |
| Pallets | 48″x40″ pallet | 48″ Long x 40″ Wide wood pallet is the most common size stringer pallet. |
Other Shipping Containers
| Mode | Container | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Box | Container with a flat base and sides typically square or rectangular and having a lid. |
| Other | Envelope | Flat paper container with a sealable flap used to enclose a letter or document. |
| Other | Break bulk | System of transporting cargo as separate pieces rather than in containers. |
| Other | Roll | Container that can be carried by trucks and can be pushed to ground level by help of a hook and level arm with the container possibly sliding on roller wheels. |
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