CHENGYU SHIP · OCEAN FREIGHT GUIDE

SHIPPING
CONTAINER SIZES

Compare 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ shipping containers, including typical internal dimensions, cargo volume and when each container type may be suitable.

20GP 40GP 40HQ FCL SHIPPING
COMPARE CONTAINER SIZES
20GP STANDARD
40GP STANDARD
40HQ HIGH CUBE
CONTAINER BASICS

WHICH CONTAINER DO YOU NEED?

The three container types importers encounter most often are the 20-foot General Purpose container, the 40-foot General Purpose container and the 40-foot High Cube container.

The best option depends on cargo volume, weight, carton dimensions, palletization, loading method and current freight rates.

CONTAINER VOLUME DOES NOT EQUAL GUARANTEED CARGO CAPACITY Published internal cubic volume is the physical space inside the container. Real-world usable capacity is normally lower because cartons, pallets and irregular shapes cannot always use every available cubic meter.
COMMON DRY CONTAINERS

20GP VS 40GP VS 40HQ

20GP 20-FOOT GENERAL PURPOSE
20'

COMPACT FULL CONTAINER

Common for smaller FCL shipments and dense cargo that does not need the extra volume of a 40-foot container.

INTERNAL LENGTH ≈ 5.90 m
INTERNAL WIDTH ≈ 2.35 m
INTERNAL HEIGHT ≈ 2.39 m
INTERNAL VOLUME ≈ 33 m³
40GP 40-FOOT GENERAL PURPOSE
40'

MORE CARGO VOLUME

Provides roughly twice the floor length of a 20GP and is widely used for larger-volume FCL shipments.

INTERNAL LENGTH ≈ 12.03 m
INTERNAL WIDTH ≈ 2.35 m
INTERNAL HEIGHT ≈ 2.39 m
INTERNAL VOLUME ≈ 67 m³
40HQ 40-FOOT HIGH CUBE
40' HC

EXTRA INTERNAL HEIGHT

A 40HQ has a similar footprint to a 40GP but offers additional internal height, making it useful for higher-volume or bulky cargo.

INTERNAL LENGTH ≈ 12.03 m
INTERNAL WIDTH ≈ 2.35 m
INTERNAL HEIGHT ≈ 2.69 m
INTERNAL VOLUME ≈ 76 m³

Dimensions are typical reference values. Exact measurements, tare weight, payload and cubic capacity can vary slightly by container manufacturer, equipment and carrier.

QUICK COMPARISON

CONTAINER SIZE AT A GLANCE

TYPE INTERNAL LENGTH INTERNAL WIDTH INTERNAL HEIGHT APPROX. VOLUME
20GP ≈ 5.90 m ≈ 2.35 m ≈ 2.39 m ≈ 33 m³
40GP ≈ 12.03 m ≈ 2.35 m ≈ 2.39 m ≈ 67 m³
40HQ ≈ 12.03 m ≈ 2.35 m ≈ 2.69 m ≈ 76 m³
GP VS HQ

WHAT DOES HIGH CUBE MEAN?

High Cube containers are taller than standard General Purpose containers.

A 40HQ therefore provides additional internal cubic capacity without increasing the basic 40-foot container length.

40GP ≈ 2.39 m INTERNAL HEIGHT
VS
40HQ ≈ 2.69 m INTERNAL HEIGHT
76 m³ ≠ 76 CBM OF REAL CARGO
VERY IMPORTANT

WHY CAN'T YOU USE 100% OF THE VOLUME?

A container may have approximately 76 cubic meters of internal volume, but that does not mean every 40HQ shipment can load 76 CBM of packaged cargo.

Real loading efficiency depends on carton dimensions, product shape, pallets, stacking restrictions, packaging strength and cargo weight.

01 Carton dimensions
02 Pallets
03 Cargo shape
04 Weight limits
CHOOSING EQUIPMENT

WHEN MIGHT EACH CONTAINER MAKE SENSE?

20GP

SMALLER OR DENSER FCL CARGO

  • Smaller full-container shipments
  • Dense or heavier products
  • Lower cargo volume
  • When 40-foot equipment is unnecessary
40GP

LARGER STANDARD-HEIGHT CARGO

  • Higher-volume shipments
  • Standard-height cartons
  • Regular commercial imports
  • Full-container inventory shipments
40HQ

HIGHER-VOLUME OR BULKY CARGO

  • More cubic volume required
  • Light or bulky products
  • Higher carton counts
  • Extra internal height is useful
SPACE IS ONLY ONE LIMIT

CONTAINER VOLUME VS CARGO WEIGHT

A shipment can run out of space before reaching the container's maximum payload.

Or very dense cargo can approach weight restrictions before all available cubic space is used.

LIGHT + BULKY VOLUME MAY BE THE LIMIT

Furniture, foam products, toys and other bulky goods may occupy container space quickly.

HEAVY + DENSE WEIGHT MAY BE THE LIMIT

Metal goods, stone products and other dense cargo may reach weight limits before filling all cubic space.

START WITH YOUR CARGO

CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL CBM FIRST.

Before choosing a container, calculate the total packed volume of your cartons.

CBM gives a useful first estimate, after which carton dimensions, weight and loading method can be reviewed.

LEARN HOW TO CALCULATE CBM →
CBM LENGTH × WIDTH × HEIGHT Dimensions measured in meters
DON'T NEED A FULL CONTAINER?

CONSIDER LCL SHIPPING.

If your shipment does not justify booking a full container, LCL allows your cargo to share container space with other shipments.

COMPARE LCL VS FCL →
SHIPPER A
SHIPPER B
YOUR CARGO
SHIPPER C
ONE SHARED CONTAINER
CONTAINER FREIGHT RATES

BIGGER CONTAINER DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN DOUBLE THE PRICE.

Freight pricing does not increase in a simple one-to-one relationship with container volume.

Carrier rates, route, equipment availability and market conditions determine the actual difference between 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ.

LEARN ABOUT SHIPPING RATES →
20GP QUOTE
40GP QUOTE
40HQ QUOTE
NEED HELP CHOOSING?

SEND US YOUR PACKING DETAILS.

We can review your shipment information and recommend an appropriate FCL or LCL option.

GET A CONTAINER QUOTE
01 Product Description
02 Carton Quantity
03 Carton Dimensions
04 Total CBM
05 Total Gross Weight
06 Origin
07 Destination
08 Cargo Ready Date
CONTINUE LEARNING

RELATED SHIPPING GUIDES

01 What Is CBM? Calculate cargo volume → 02 LCL vs FCL Compare ocean freight options → 03 Sea Freight Explore FCL & LCL services →
CONTAINER SPECIFICATION NOTE

Container dimensions shown on this page are typical reference measurements for standard dry equipment. Exact internal dimensions, door openings, tare weight, maximum gross weight and payload can vary by equipment manufacturer and carrier. Confirm the actual equipment specifications before final loading.

20GP, 40GP OR 40HQ?

LET'S CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHIPPING OPTION.

Send us your cargo volume, weight, supplier location and destination and we'll review the available ocean freight options.

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