An indicative capacity table helps shortlist equipment, but loading may fail on door clearance, pallet configuration or permissible weight. Measure the finished cargo and check with the operator before booking.
Useful planning sizes
Common dry containers include 20-foot standard, 40-foot standard and 40-foot high-cube. Indicative internal dimensions are approximately 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m for a 20-foot standard; 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m for a 40-foot standard; and 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m for a 40-foot high-cube.
Nominal volume is not usable volume
Door openings, corner structures, cargo shape, securing equipment and handling clearances reduce usable space. A calculated cube fit does not guarantee that pieces can be loaded through the door or secured safely.
Check weight before volume
Maximum gross and payload vary by individual container, road restrictions, chassis and local rules. The exact container safety approval plate and transport plan govern what can actually be loaded.
Special equipment
Refrigerated, open-top, flat-rack and tank equipment address specific product requirements but have distinct loading limits and market availability. Quote with exact package measurements and operating conditions.
Primary references
Rules, carrier terms and local procedures can change. Check the applicable primary guidance for your shipment.
Actual dimensions differ by equipment
A pallet layout that works in a notional 40-foot rectangle may fail at the door frame or exceed payload limits. Obtain the nominated container type from the carrier, check floor loading and leave room for restraint, not merely an optimistic CBM total.
This is an illustrative planning example, not a current quotation, legal instruction or promise of transport capacity. Confirm shipment-specific requirements with the responsible carrier, broker or regulator.