What Fits In A 40-Foot Shipping Container? - IContainers

We Respect Your PrivacyWe use cookies to operate this website, improve usability, deliver better user experience, and improve our marketing. Your privacy is important to us and we never collect any personal data.View Cookie policyAccept all cookiesManage preferencesIcontainers white LogoServicesSERVICESOcean Freight FCLFor shipping 20ft or 40ft containers by oceanOcean Freight LCLFor shipping pallets, boxes or loose cargo by oceanAir FreightFor shipping boxes or loose cargo by air Air ExpressInternational parcel & courier shipmentsSERVICESInternational MovingFor individuals relocating internationallyLTL FreightFor domestic shipping services by roadCustoms Clearance and Delivery Solutions for US ImportsADDITIONAL SERVICESCustoms Clearance & DutiesCheck our customs clearance servicesCargo InsuranceCheck our cargo insurance servicesSolutionsSOLUTIONSImport / Export BusinessesFor businesses shipping commercial cargo International RelocationsFor individuals relocating overseas or for relocation businesses.Moving Companies Learn about our solution for moving companiesSOLUTIONSFreight AgentsFor freight forwarders/agents who are part of networks like WCA, Parnity, etc.Customs BrokersCheck our solution for customs brokersAI-Driven Shipping IntelligenceAutomating quoting, pricing, sales, and customer interactions for smooth shipments.Top Trade LanesTrade LanesUS to AustraliaUS to UKChina to USUS to SpainIndia to USView AllShip ContainerUnited StatesChinaIndiaAustraliaUnited KingdomView AllAir FreightChinaIndiaSpainAustraliaUnited KingdomView AllInternational MoveIndiaAustraliaSpainArgentinaUnited KingdomView AllResourcesResourcesGlobal Freight GuideTrade lanes, export, import, and other guide articlesFreight ResourcesCalculators, e-books, shipping documents, etcBlogCheck out our blog articlesResourcesHelp CenterA collection of articles that help you organize your shipments.Document ListAll shipping documents you need to know aboutIncotermsLearn about Incoterms to choose the right oneToolsCalculatorsCheck out our list of shipping calculatorsFreight Cost CalculatorGet the cost for your freight instantly onlineOcean Freight CalculatorCalculate your FCL or LCL shipment's costAir Freight CalculatorGet your air or parcel shipment's costToolsTransit Time CalculatorGet your shipments transit time instantly onlineCubic Meter CalculatorCheck the volume of your goods for a more accurate quoteInternational Container CostCalculate your 20, 40, or 40 high cube container shipment's costAbout usenLanguageEnglishEspañolDeutschNederlandsContact UsLogin/RegisterLogin/RegisterWhat Fits in a 40-Foot Shipping Container?International MovingsUpdated on 04 Oct 20233 min readGET STARTED HEREWhat do you need a quote for?Importing/Exporting Commercial CargoFor business shipping commercial cargo or for freight forwarders.International Relocations/MovingsFor individuals relocating to a new country or for relocation businesses.Sending Parcels & CouriersFor businesses or individuals looking to ship small parcels or documents by air.If you are here only for research purposes, click hereHome / Help center / International Movings / What Fits in a 40-Foot Shipping Container?

What fits in a 40-foot shipping container?

The first step of every international move by ocean freight involves deciding on what type of shipping container you need to transport all your household goods to your destination country.

Besides the 20-foot container, the 40-foot container is another popular option for an overseas move due to its size and the amount of furniture it can hold. Here’s are the dimensions of a 40-foot container and what household goods you can fit in it.

40-foot container dimensions

• In feet: 39’ 6” long x 7’ 9” wide x 7’ 10” high

• In meters: 12.025m long x 2.352m wide x 2.393m high

• Usable Capacity: 67.7m3

It has 285 sq ft (26.47m2) of floor space and 2,120 cubic ft (60m3) of volume. Depending on the type of pallet you use, it can hold 22 standard pallets or 27 Euro pallets without stacking.

How to estimate the volume of your 40-foot container shipment

As a general rule, the household goods of a two- to three-bedroom apartment with a living room, dining room, den, and kitchen can fit into a 40-foot container.

Here’s an illustration of what fits into a 40-foot container using a typical 100m2 apartment as an example:

Make sure to use bubble wrap and moving boxes for proper packing to fit all of your belongings into a 40-foot container.

How to pack furniture into a 40-foot container

Loading a container for an overseas move may be rather tedious. Here are some simple tips that may help you properly pack furniture for international shipping:

• Take apart anything that can be re-assembled at your new home and carefully pack them in boxes
• Be generous with bubble wrap to protect your items
• Stack boxes on top of one another
• Place lighter items above heavier items

Shipping vehicles in a 40-foot container

If you’re transporting your vehicle along with your belongings, FCL shipping will be required to reduce the risk of damaging other shipments with LCL shipping.

Most cars can fit a 40-foot container with space left to fill the household goods of a one- to two-bedroom apartment. Make sure to read up on loading a car into a container before you begin doing it to avoid damages.

Every country has different regulations on cars entering its borders. Certain countries may even completely ban you from bringing your car into your destination country. Do your research by checking with the customs authorities of your destination country to avoid problems.

Cost to ship a 40-foot container

The cost of shipping a 40-foot container will vary depending on a number of factors including the nature of the items you are sending and the destination country. You may find the best prices for shipping a 40-foot container on our platform by entering the size and number of boxes and furnishings you will be taking with you. If the volume of your shipment exceeds the capacity of a 20-foot container, you will automatically be charged for a 40-foot FCL container.

Due to consolidating fees, taxes, and customs paperwork, LCL shipping in a 40-foot container will be more expensive than sending a half full 40-foot FCL.

Content Guide

1. 1. What fits in a 40-foot shipping container?
2. 2. 40-foot container dimensions
3. 3. How to estimate the volume of your 40-foot container shipment
4. 4. How to pack furniture into a 40-foot container
5. 5. Shipping vehicles in a 40-foot container
6. 6. Cost to ship a 40-foot container

Related Articles

International Movings

Door-to-door and door-to-port move

International Movings

How to quote and book your international move with iContainers

International Movings

What Fits in a 20-Foot Shipping Container?

View allOther Resources Ocean FreightUnited StatesChinaIndiaSpainNetherlandsDominican RepublicPeruChileEcuadorCanadaJapanMexicoArgentinaColombiaShip ContainerUnited StatesIndiaAustraliaMexicoDominican RepublicUnited KingdomSpainColombiaArab EmiratesChinaTaiwanPeruChileEcuadorOcean Freight TypesLCL ShippingFCL ShippingContainer Types20 ft Container40 ft ContainerImportImport furniture from ChinaImport plastics and derivativesImport from ShanghaiImport to United StatesImport from TurkeyImport Car PartsExportExport to GermanyExport to PeruExport to SpainExport to FranceExport WineExport Textiles IndiaIncotermsCIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight)CFR (Cost & Freight)DAP (Delivery at Place)CIP (Carriage & Insurance Paid to)CPT (Carriage Paid to)FOB (Free on Board)FCA (Free Carrier)DAT (Delivered at Terminal)DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)EXW (Ex-Works)FAS (Free Alongside Ship)DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded)Ocean FreightUnited StatesChinaIndiaSpainNetherlandsDominican RepublicPeruChileEcuadorCanadaJapanMexicoArgentinaColombiaShip ContainerUnited StatesIndiaAustraliaMexicoDominican RepublicUnited KingdomSpainColombiaArab EmiratesChinaTaiwanPeruChileEcuadorOcean Freight TypesLCL ShippingFCL ShippingContainer Types20 ft Container40 ft ContainerImportImport furniture from ChinaImport plastics and derivativesImport from ShanghaiImport to United StatesImport from TurkeyImport Car PartsExportExport to GermanyExport to PeruExport to SpainExport to FranceExport WineExport Textiles IndiaIncotermsCIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight)CFR (Cost & Freight)DAP (Delivery at Place)CIP (Carriage & Insurance Paid to)CPT (Carriage Paid to)FOB (Free on Board)FCA (Free Carrier)DAT (Delivered at Terminal)DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)EXW (Ex-Works)FAS (Free Alongside Ship)DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded)Icontainers color Logo

iContainers is a digital freight forwarder based in Barcelona that assists thousands of companies and families around the globe in moving their merchandise internationally.

Our online freight quoting platform has the latest technology in the sector and simplifies ocean freight, quoting and managing your bookings from the same user area.

We work side by side with Shipa Freight to fully cover the demands of our customers.

ResourcesAI-Powered Freight ServicesInternational MovingsOcean Freight CalculatorOcean FreightAir FreightAir ExpressFreight ResourcesCubic Meter CalculatorIncotermsBlogSitemapGeneralAbout UsTrackingYour AccountCareersPrivacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsAll Rights Reserved. © 2026 iContainers