40-foot Container - Dimensions, Measurements And Weight

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1. Dimension & Capacity of 40-ft Container

Metric	Exterior	Interior (usable)	Why it matters
Length	12.19 m / 40 ft	12.03 m / 39 ft 6 in	Load‐planning & dunnage
Width	2.44 m / 8 ft	2.35 m / 7 ft 9 in	Pallet optimisation
Height	2.59 m / 8 ft 6 in	2.39 m / 7 ft 10 in	Stack height checks
Usable volume	–	≈ 67 m³ (2,366 ft³)	CBM calculator inputs
Tare weight	–	≈ 3,700 kg	Net vs. gross declarations
Max gross	–	≈ 32,500 kg	Carrier / road limits

Figures based on Maersk’s 2025 equipment spec sheet and ISO 668 ratings (wikipedia)

2. How Many Pallets Fit in a 40-ft Container?

• Euro pallets (1.20 m × 0.80 m): 24‑25 when arranged tightly on the floor.
• US standard pallets 40 × 48 in: Typically 20–21 per layer.

Exact counts hinge on pallet overhang, carton height, and weight distribution. (iContainers)

Tip: For mixed SKUs, try a pallet‑wide 40‑ft box (non‑ISO but common in Europe) – it squeezes in 30 Euro pallets floor‑loaded.

3. Typical 40‑ft Cargo Profiles

Commodity	Why the 40‑ft works
Furniture & household goods	Fills cube before hitting weight limits; perfect for international movers
Electronics & retail stock	Cartonised loads maximise floor space and CBM‑rate savings
Automotive parts / machinery	Dense but not overly heavy; easy fork‑lift loading
Reefer perishables (fruits, seafood)	40‑ft high‐cube reefers offer 12 cm extra headroom & 76 m³ volume (wikipedia)

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4. Weight Limits & Safety

• Tare: ~ 3.7 t
• Carrier max gross: 32.5 t (varies slightly by line).(wikipedia)
• Typical road cap: 36 t gross for truck + container in many EU countries.

Always check both sea leg and inland rules; exceeding axle limits can trigger hefty fines or require special permits.

5. Freight Cost Drivers You’ll See on the Invoice

Cost Lever	What It Covers	When It Spikes
Base ocean freight	Port‑to‑port movement	Busy lanes or equipment shortages
BAF – Fuel Adjustment Factor	Bunker price volatility	Tariffs set quarterly; next revision 01 Jan 2025 Maersk
CAF – Currency Adjustment Factor	FX fluctuation buffer	Long USD‑linked routes
Port & Terminal Handling (THC, T3)	Crane, gate & wharf fees	Annual update e.g., Rotterdam 2025 tariff Port of Rotterdam
Special surcharges	Piracy, canal transit, congestion	Suez/Panama diversions; peak‑season PSS

6. Seasonal Volatility & Booking Windows

Period	Market Behavior	Smart Shipper Move
Jul – Nov (Peak)	Retail stocking drives capacity crunch; PSS applies	Book 4–6 weeks ahead
Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb)	Pre‑holiday factory sprint; post‑holiday lull	Ship early or wait out the spike
Golden Week (Oct)	Short, sharp Asia congestion	Secure equipment two sailings in advance

Container Volume Calculator

Container Volume Calculator

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7. FCL vs. LCL – The 40‑ft Edition

• FCL 40 ft shines once your load hits 50 m³ or > 18 t – the per‑CBM rate plunges and you control the seal.
• LCL makes sense for scattered cartons under ~ 15 m³; just budget for consolidation and devanning fees.

Use our CBM calculator; if utilisation is < 60 %, get an LCL quote too.

8. Packing Your 40‑ft Container for Success

1. ISPM‑15 pallets/crates – universal customs acceptance.
2. Shrink‑wrap + desiccants – fight sea‑borne moisture.
3. Weight balance – alternate heavy/light stacks along the length.
4. Ratchet straps & airbags – stop cargo shift on heavy seas.
5. IMDG‑compliant labelling for haz‑mat loads (see IMO IMDG Code). (UMO)

9. Why SMEs & Corporates Alike Love 40‑Footers

• Economies of scale: Lower $ / CBM than two 20‑footers.
• Versatility: Dry, high‑cube, reefer, open‑top and flat‑rack variants.
• Global compatibility: Port cranes, chassis, rail wagons built around 40‑ft footprint.

AI-Powered Freight Services at iContainers

A 40-foot container offers higher capacity, but inefficient planning can quickly reduce its advantages. iContainers applies AI models to match cargo volume, weight distribution, and routing constraints. This ensures better utilization and more predictable pricing. Discover AI-powered container optimization built for international freight operations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 40‑ft container watertight?

Yes—ISO units are Wind & Water Tight, but condensation can still form; always add desiccants.

Can I load hazardous materials?

Yes—if they meet the IMDG Code and you supply the MSDS, UN number and correct placards, plus carrier pre‑approval. (IMO)

How many Euro pallets fit exactly?

Floor‑loaded, you can usually fit 24–25 Euro pallets; pallet‑wide containers (non‑ISO) can take up to 30. (iContainers)

Content Guide

1. 1. Dimension & Capacity of 40-ft Container
2. 2. How Many Pallets Fit in a 40-ft Container?
3. 3. Typical 40‑ft Cargo Profiles
4. 4. Weight Limits & Safety
5. 5. Freight Cost Drivers You’ll See on the Invoice
6. 6. Seasonal Volatility & Booking Windows
7. 7. FCL vs. LCL – The 40‑ft Edition
8. 8. Packing Your 40‑ft Container for Success
9. 9. Why SMEs & Corporates Alike Love 40‑Footers
10. 10. AI-Powered Freight Services at iContainers

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