Internal and External Container Dimensions

Shipping Container Dimensions

Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications

Shipping containers are held to precise dimensional standards to guarantee their safe stacking on top of or below any other container worldwide. These standard containers typically measure 8 feet in width (2.44 meters) and are quantified using TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Rigorous standards govern ocean cargo containers to ensure seamless shipping processes. Every intermodal shipping container, also known as "conex" containers, must not only stack flawlessly on cargo ships but also securely lock into chassis trailers and safely stack on rail cars. For those looking to buy shipping containers, it's essential to note that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining these standards for shipping container dimensions, as outlined in ISO 668.

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Used & new shipping containers

Shipping Container Dimensions by Size

20" Standard

20' x 8'-6" Shipping Container Dimensions

External
Length: 20′ 0″ (6.10m)
Width: 8′ 0″ (2.44m)
Height: 8′ 6″ (2.59m)

Internal
Length: 19′ 4″ (5.89m)
Width: 7′ 8″ (2.35m)
Height: 7′ 10″ (2.39m)

Door
Width: 7′ 8.125″ (2.34m)
Height: 7′ 5.75″ (2.27m)

Capacity
Cubic Volume: 1,169 ft. (33.10m)
Empty Weight: 4,850 lbs. (2,199 kg)
Load Capacity: 61,289 lbs. (27,800 kg)

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40" Standard

40' x 8'-6" Shipping Container Dimensions

External
Length: 40′ 0″ (12.20m)
Width: 8′ 0″ (2.44m)
Height: 8′ 6″ (2.59m)

Internal
Length: 39′ 5″ (12.03m)
Width: 7′ 8″ (2.35m)
Height: 7′ 10″ (2.39m)

Door
Width: 7′ 8.125″ (2.34m)
Height: 7′ 5.75″ (2.27m)

Capacity
Cubic Volume: 1,169 ft. (33.10m)
Empty Weight: 4,850 lbs. (2,199 kg)
Load Capacity: 61,289 lbs. (27,800 kg)

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40" High Cube

40' x 9'-6" High Cube Container Dimensions

External
Length: 19′ 10.50″ (6.06m)
Width: 8′ 0.00″ (2.44m)
Height: 8′ 6.00″ (2.59m)

Internal
Length: 18′ 8.81″ (5.71m)
Width: 7′ 8.59″ (2.35m)
Height: 7′ 9.89″ (2.38m)

Door
Width: 7′ 8.125″ (2.34m)
Height: 7′ 5.75″ (2.27m)

Capacity
Cubic Volume: 1,169 ft. (33.10m)
Empty Weight: 4,850 lbs. (2,199 kg)
Load Capacity: 61,289 lbs. (27,800 kg)

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45" High Cube

45' x 8'-6" High Cube Container Dimensions

External
Length: 19′ 10.50″ (6.06m)
Width: 8′ 0.00″ (2.44m)
Height: 8′ 6.00″ (2.59m)

Internal
Length: 18′ 8.81″ (5.71m)
Width: 7′ 8.59″ (2.35m)
Height: 7′ 9.89″ (2.38m)

Door
Width: 7′ 8.125″ (2.34m)
Height: 7′ 5.75″ (2.27m)

Capacity
Cubic Volume: 1,169 ft. (33.10m)
Empty Weight: 4,850 lbs. (2,199 kg)
Load Capacity: 61,289 lbs. (27,800 kg)

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Glossary

In the shipping container industry, several abbreviations help up us to better understand about specifications and Condition of the units. Please use the guide below to understand our lingo.

STD/std (Standard): 8 feet 6 inches in tall containers.

HC (High Cube): 8 feet 6 inches in tall containers.

CW (Cargo-worthy): The Cargo worthy (CWO) grade is the second-highest grade of shipping containers. This grade is usually applied to structurally sound containers that are approximately ten years old. These containers are free of holes and major dents, fully functioning, secure, and safe.

WWT: (Wind and watertight): A wind and watertight container is a shipping container condition that guarantees no cracks or holes and that the door seals are tight enough to keep out any wind or water. The container is structurally sound and in good condition and can protect your goods from water damage, dust, and other outdoor elements.

One-Trip/One-Tripper: New or almost new containers. Known as one-tripper since the container was already used once with cargo from the original manufacturing site, usually China or Korea.

IICL: IICL stands for International Institute of Container Lessors. Containers in IICL condition are solid and suitable for overseas cargo shipments, provided they have a current survey for the shipping line. IICL units represent the highest grade of used shipping containers. They have been inspected and certified to meet strict IICL standards, ensuring they are in excellent condition for shipping or storage purposes.

As-Is: An as-is shipping container is no longer considered wind and watertight. These containers are typically 15+ years old and have heavy signs of wear. The condition of as-is containers varies, but they are generally much poorer than cargo-worthy or wind and watertight (WWT) containers. Common issues with as-is containers include small holes, warped floorboards, and damaged door seals.

Seaworthy: A seaworthy shipping container has the same conditions as a cargo-worthy container but carries a certificate allowing the unit to go on a container vessel. The new owner requests this certificate after acquiring the container.

Release: It’s the certificate provided to the costumer that indicates where is stored the unit, the exit number of the unit and the specs of it. Without this information, the yard, won’t granted access to the container.

Serial: Number located on the front of the container that allows to identify it worldwide.

Frequently Questions

Our Head Quarters office is in Vancouver, Canada and Ours units at stored at different private depots across Canada. Here is more information about the cities where we operate.

• Vancouver
• Toronto
• Montreal
• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Halifax
• Regina
• Winnipeg
• Saskatoon

Please ask to our costumer representative for the information on the yard of your city.

Delivery extra cost via third-party services. We found out that buyers get a better deal when they pay for trucking separately.

Ask for our directory of trucking collaborators here

This is the Directory

Vancouver
• Tilt Services: Double-time Transport Inc. Drew: +1 604 366 6396
• Crane Services: Bear Crane:
• Flat Deck: Pro Haulers Transports Inc: + 1 250 899 774. Oliver
• Hubert Brauckmann : 250-619-9100 moves cans to the Island.

Edmonton
• Rob Trucking: Rob Kirkman: + 1 778 686 6212
• Tilt Services: Jhon Heath: +1 780231 5321

Calgary
• Tilt Services: Jhon Heath: +1 780231 5321

Halifax
• Atlantic Tiltload Limited. Address: 15 Notting Ct, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1N2, Canada. Phone: +1 902-468-9438

Regina
•Slider Transport: Scott + 1 306 5402511

Winnipeg
• Lanza Towing Towing: 204 5881372

Yes, we can haul it, free of charge to your trailer or your choice of transportation.
Yes, you can inspect the Sea Can at the moment of pickup, and you have the right to refuse for structural malfunction or specification incongruence.
The container must be pay before leaving the yard and after inspection to make it safe on both ends. We only accept Electronic Transfer of Funds or E transfer.
Yes, discount applies when you buy more than 2 units
In most cases, a cargo-worthy container is no different (condition-wise) than a WWT (wind & watertight) container. However, it’s been inspected by a maritime surveyor and can be used to ship goods/products overseas.
A: Standard containers are 8 feet, 6 inches high on the outside, with a corresponding interior dimension of 7 feet, 10 inches. A high cube container is one foot taller, so it has an exterior height of 9 feet, 6 inches, and an interior dimension of 8 feet, 10 inches.
A: The 20ft high cube container has an exterior height of 9’6”, which is 1 foot taller than the standard height of shipping containers. They are designed to accommodate those needing to store or transport larger oversized items that don’t fit inside standard-height containers.
A: 40ft Standard Container vs 40ft High Cube Container … 8,775 lbs. The 40ft High Cube container weighs 8,775 lbs. The 40ft Standard container weighs 8,000 lbs.

Find the right shipping container with us

Receive tailored purchasing assistance from a dedicated shipping container expert.

E-Mail: info@spotbuycontainers.com
Phone: +1-604 -616-8064
Address: 1370 East 35th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5W 1C1