20ft Standard Dry Container
The backbone of ocean freight - one TEU of enclosed dry cargo space.
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The 20ft general purpose container is the most widely used box in ocean freight and the unit the TEU is measured in. Fully closed and weatherproof, it works best for dense, heavy palletised loads that reach a weight limit long before they run out of room.
- Palletised goods
- Heavy / dense cargo
- Machinery
- Bagged commodities
- Capacity
- 33.2 m³
- Max payload
- 28,250 kg
- Tare weight
- 2,230 kg
- Max gross
- 30,480 kg
Dimensions
| Measurement | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| External | 6.06 m 19' 11" | 2.44 m 8' 0" | 2.59 m 8' 6" |
| Internal | 5.90 m 19' 4" | 2.35 m 7' 9" | 2.39 m 7' 10" |
| Door opening | — | 2.34 m 7' 8" | 2.28 m 7' 6" |
Capacity and weight
- Cubic capacity
- 33.2 m³ 1172 ft³
- Tare (empty) weight
- 2,230 kg 4,916 lb
- Maximum payload
- 28,250 kg 62,281 lb
- Maximum gross weight
- 30,480 kg 67,197 lb
Figures follow the commonly published ISO standards, given in metric with imperial equivalents for reference. Exact dimensions differ marginally between manufacturers and production series.
Related container types
Already shipping in a 20ft Standard Dry Container? Track it by container number, bill of lading or booking reference.
Track a container20ft Standard Dry Container FAQ
Externally a 20ft Standard Dry Container measures 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m (19' 11" × 8' 0" × 8' 6"); the usable space inside is 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m, and the rear door opens 2.34 m wide by 2.28 m high.
Cubic capacity is roughly 33.2 m³. Empty (tare) weight is 2,230 kg, the payload tops out at 28,250 kg and the maximum gross weight is 30,480 kg.
The 20ft general purpose container is the most widely used box in ocean freight and the unit the TEU is measured in. Fully closed and weatherproof, it works best for dense, heavy palletised loads that reach a weight limit long before they run out of room. Typical loads are palletised goods, heavy / dense cargo, machinery and bagged commodities.
Use the container number, bill of lading or booking reference in a container tracking service. The carrier is identified from the number itself, and you get live status, ETA and the full port-call history, whatever the container type.