It can cost you upwards of $1,200 per shipment for wasted space or overweight if you use the wrong size box, did you know that? This book can help navigate through the chaos and help streamline cost and safety.

 

Why Container Sizes Directly Impact Your Profit

International traders lose around $4.7 billion each year to container misuse, as reported by the International Freight Association! Whether you are shipping electronic products from Shenzhen or machinery from Hamburg, there are three things you need to know:

  1. Cost Efficiency: Generally, if you're shipping light cargo, shipping via 40HQ (high cabinet) or 40GP (standard cabinet) can save you about an average of 23% on freight.
  2. Compliance: Be truthful, if it is overweight, not only will it incur extra time in the port, you'll be penalized about $500 to $5,000.
  3. Cargo Safety: It is mentioned that 68% of the goods are damaged because the size of the container is not suited.

 

solar panel in shipping container

 

Standard Container Sizes Demystified (With Free Comparison Tool)

1. 20GP (20-Foot General Purpose)

  • Dimensions:5.9m x Width: 2.3m x Height: 2.3m
  • Capacity: 28 CBM | Max Payload: 21,600 kg
  • Best For:
    • 8 to 10 standard pallets (dimensions: 1.2m x 1m)
    • Colleges of small appliances, electronics, or furniture for a two-bedroom apartment

Pro Tip: For heavy products such as steel components, you must use 20GP. It is shorter, so you do not lose space vertically.

2. 40HQ (40-Foot High Cube)

  • Dimensions: 12m x Width: 2.3m x Height: 2.7m
  • Capacity: 76 cubic meters | Max payload: 26,500 kg
  • Best For:
    • 20-22 standard pallets
    • Lightweight bulk goods (e.g., clothing, foam)
    • Stackable items like plastic chairs

Cost-Saving Hack: One 40HQ takes the place of two 20GP to carry 65 m3 of freight and saves $1100.

3. 45HQ (45-Foot High Cube)

  • Dimensions: 13.5m (L) × 2.3m (W) × 2.7m (H)
  • Capacity: 86 cubic meters and Max Payload: 29,000 kg.
  • Best For:
    • Oversize pieces of machinery, maximum length: 12.8m.
    • Parts for vehicles.

Warning: 45HQ is not very common and has a 40% reduction in length compared to standard containers. If you require one, it is best to order it 3 weeks in advance.

 

 

3-Step Framework to Choose the Right Size

Step 1: Calculate Your CBM

Use this formula:

Total CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) × Number of pieces.

Example: 100 boxes of 0.5m × 0.3m × 0.6m = 100 × 0.09 CBM = 9 CBM → 20GP suffices.

Step 2: Match Cargo Type to Container

Cargo Type Ideal Container Why?
Steel rods 20FR Flat Rack Top-loading for heavy weights
Pharmaceuticals 40HQ Reefer Temperature-controlled
Luxury cars 40OT Open Top Crane loading at 45° angle

Step 3: Verify Weight Limits

Critical Rule:

Cargo Weight ≤ (Container Max Payload - Tare Weight)

Example: 40HQ with 26,500 kg payload – tare weight 3,800 kg → Max Cargo = 22,700 kg.

 

Hidden Costs of Wrong Sizes

  • Empty space: For an empty 40HQ container, empty space will cost $12.5 per cubic meter based on the Asia-Europe trade.
  • Demurrage: An additional charge of $180 per day will be incurred for demurrage if the container is overweight from the third day onward.
  • Insurance Risk: Based on the statistics recorded by Lloyd's of London, 32% of losses are due to the inappropriate use of containers.

 

Expert Tips for Complex Shipments

1. Hazardous materials

Container: If you are shipping hazardous chemicals, you will need to use a UN-certified 20GP chemical container at an added cost of $420 per shipment.

Ventilation requirements: There must be a 15cm ventilation gap in the container, avoiding contact with the container wall.

2. Fragile goods

Inflatable airbags: 40HQs can fit inflatable airbags for 94% of the capacity, while 40GPs can only be 78%. It is better for the protection of fragile merchandise.

Floor reinforcement: If you are shipping heavy and fragile items such as heavy ceramics, the floor must be reinforced with $65 worth of plywood so that the items are not crushed.

3. Oddly shaped goods

40OT Open Top: In exporting poorly shaped goods, very tall statues (4 meters high), this saves you $310 since you don't have to charter a flat rack for the shipment.