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Dimensions & Specifications

Shipping containers are built to strict international standards to ensure safe stacking and compatibility across ships, trucks, and trains. Most containers are 8 feet wide (2.44 meters) and are measured in TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units).

These standards, set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 668), ensure that every container — whether called a shipping container, intermodal container, or conex box — can be securely stacked and transported worldwide.

If you're buying a container, knowing these dimensions helps ensure it fits your needs and works seamlessly with global transport systems.

Used & New Shipping Containers

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)

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)

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)

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)

Glossary of Container Terms

In the shipping container industry, we use specific abbreviations to describe container types and conditions. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand our terminology:


STD / std (Standard)
Standard-height container with an exterior height of 8’6″.

HC (High Cube)
High cube container with an exterior height of 9’6″, offering extra vertical space.

CW (Cargo-Worthy)
Structurally sound container suitable for international shipping. Typically around 10 years old, with no holes or major damage.

WWT (Wind and Watertight)
Container is sealed against wind and water. Doors close tightly, and the unit is in good condition for general storage.

One-Trip / One-Tripper
New or nearly new container used once to transport cargo from the manufacturer (usually in China or Korea).

IICL
Certified by the International Institute of Container Lessors. These containers meet the highest standards for used units and are suitable for overseas shipping.

As-Is
Sold in current condition. These containers are usually 15+ years old and may have visible wear, such as holes, floor damage, or faulty door seals. Not guaranteed to be wind and watertight.

Seaworthy
Similar to cargo-worthy but includes a certificate for ocean transport. The certificate is requested by the buyer after purchase.

Release
A document provided to the buyer that includes the container’s location, exit number, and specifications. Required for yard access.

Serial
Unique identification number located on the front of the container. Used to track and verify the unit globally.

Trucking Services Directory

Shipping Container Delivery Services

This directory provides a comprehensive list of trucking companies, organized by city, to help you quickly find reliable transportation services in your area. Each listing includes the company name, contact information, and available email addresses and contact persons when possible. Clients can reach out directly to these companies for quotes and to check availability for their shipping and logistics needs.
 

VANCOUVER

Double-time Transport Inc. (Tilt Services)

Contact: Drew

Phone: 604 366 6396

 

K2 Crane

Contact: Sean Murphy

Phone: 778-995-8666

Email: Info@k2crane.com

 

Burrard Crane

Contact: Jason

Phone: 778-222-2438

Email: craneandcontainersolutions@gmail.com

 

Lewy (Container Pickup Trucking Crane)

Phone: (778) 999-2274

Email: craneforhire@gmail.com

Only 20ft empty containers

 

CNJ Transport Ltd

Contact: Cory

Phone: 604 832 8525

Email: cnjtransportltd@gmail.com

 

Bear Crane

Contact: Marty Boulter

Phone: 604 825 7616

Email: bea@bearcraneservices.com

 

Pro Haulers Transports Inc (Flat Deck)

Contact: Oliver

Phone: 250 899 7742

Email: logistics@prohaulers.info

Ideal for deliveries to the Thompson-Okanagan region

 

F&G Truck and Crane

Contact: Meaghan Flores (Customer Service Rep)

Phone: 604-888-5150

Email: generalfreight@fgdelivery.com

 


EDMONTON

 

Rob Trucking

Contact: Rob Kirkman

Phone: 778 686 6212

 

Heath Specialty Services (Tilt Services)

Contact: Jhon Heath

Phone: 780 231 5321

Email: heathspecialtyservices@gmail.com

 


CALGARY

 

Marine Management Corp

Contact: Kerry Wiebe

Phone: 403-606-2846

Email: kerrylwiebe@me.com; kerrylwiebe@icloud.com

 

Heath Specialty Services (Tilt Services)

Contact: Jhon Heath

Phone: 780 231 5321

Email: heathspecialtyservices@gmail.com

 

Champion Towing Calgary Trucking

Phone: 587-432-5420

 


HALIFAX

 

Atlantic Tiltload Limited

Dartmouth, NS

Phone: 902-468-9438

Email: dispatch@addedtouchtowing.com

 

Baxter Trucking and Excavating

Amherst, NS

Phone: 902 694-4274

Email: info@thebaxtergroup.ca

 

Kelly’s Towing

Grand Pré, NS

Phone: 902 678 5252

Email: kellystowing@live.com

 

Added Touch Towing & Recovery

Mount Uniacke, NS

Phone: 902 407-5300

 


REGINA

 

Slider Transport

Contact: Scott

Phone: 306 540 2511

 


WINNIPEG

 

Off-Limit Towing

Contact: Randhi

Phone: 204-295-8341

Email: Off.limit.towing@hotmail.com

 

Lanza Towing

Phone: 204-588-1372

 

OnTime Tilt-N-Tow

Contact: Manny Hans

Phone: 204 805-6689

Email: manny@ontimetnt.com

 

S&M Tilt Deck Winnipeg Trucking

Contact: Solomon

Phone: 204 330-8448

Email: Sandmtiltdeckservicesltd@gmail.com

 


TORONTO

 

Expo Transport Inc

Contact: Kajan (Keyakan)

Phone: 647-926-1745

Email: expotransportinc@gmail.com

 

Andre’s Towing & Storage

Contact: Gilbert

Phone: 416-606-9974

 


PRINCE RUPERT

 

Kristoff Trucking Ltd.

Contact: Murray Kristoff

Phone: 250 628-9281

Email: murrayk@kristofftransport.com

 


SASKATOON

 

Harry’s Towing and Decking Ltd.

Contact: Harry

Phone: 639 318 8922

Email: harrystowingsaskatoon@gmail.com

 

ASTRO TOWING

Phone: 306 242 2030

Email: wehaul@astrotowing.ca

 


PRINCE GEORGE

 

CNJ Transport Ltd

Contact: Cory

Phone: 604 832 8525

Email: cnjtransportltd@gmail.com

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