All About 20-foot Containers: Size, Specs, Weight

Presou Logistics Company News 02 Apr 2025

In the maritime cargo transportation field, 20-foot containers are widely used. They are essential along with 40-foot containers. Different types of 20-foot containers exist for various shipping needs.This article tells you all about containers.

Types of 20-foot Maritime Containers

The 20-foot container, also known as TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit), is a standardized container size used in international transportation. It is usually made of steel and designed to be stacked on top of each other on ships, trains, and trucks. There are several types of 20-foot containers, including:
Dry Cargo Containers: The most common type, used for general goods such as clothing, toys, and electronic products.
Refrigerated Containers (Reefer Containers): Equipped with refrigeration devices, used for storing perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Open-Top Containers: With a removable top, which makes it easier to load large or oversized goods.
Flat Rack Containers: Designed for loading heavy goods that cannot be stacked, such as machinery or vehicles.

Dimensions of 20-foot Containers

The dimensions of a 20-foot container are as follows:

External Dimensions (in feet): 20 feet long x 8 feet wide x 8 feet 6 inches high
External Dimensions (in meters): 6.10 meters long x 2.44 meters wide x 2.59 meters high
Internal Dimensions (in feet): 19 feet 4 inches long x 7 feet 9 inches wide x 7 feet 10 inches high
Internal Dimensions (in meters): 5.898 meters long x 2.352 meters wide x 2.393 meters high
Available Capacity: 32.6 cubic meters

The available capacity of a 20-foot container is 32.6 cubic meters, which can accommodate a variety of goods, from household items to commercial cargo.

What is the Weight of a 20-foot Container?

The load-bearing capacity of a 20-foot container depends on its type and design. However, the general guidelines are as follows:
Payload Capacity: The amount of goods that can be carried inside the container, usually ranging from 26,000 to 28,000 kilograms (57,320 to 61,730 pounds).
Tare Weight: The weight of the empty container, usually about 2,200 to 2,400 kilograms (4,850 to 5,291 pounds).

Gross Weight: The maximum allowable weight of the container and its goods, usually about 28,000 to 30,000 kilograms (61,730 to 66,139 pounds).

What are the Common Types of Goods Loaded in a 20-foot Container?

A 20-foot container is usually used to transport the following types of goods:

Consumer goods, including clothing, furniture, and electronic products.
Raw materials, such as machinery, textiles, and metals.
Perishable items transported in 20-foot refrigerated containers, such as food and beverages.
Heavy goods, including cement, steel, tiles, etc.

Freight Cost of a 20-foot Container from China

The cost of transporting a 20-foot container from China to the destination depends on several factors, including:
Port of Departure and Port of Destination: The specific ports used for loading and unloading the container.
Type of Service: You can choose between Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL) services. For bulk transportation, FCL is usually more cost-effective.
Shipping Route and Carrier: Different shipping routes and carriers offer different rates.
Current Market Conditions: Freight rates may fluctuate according to supply and demand.

Learn more:

Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To Italy

Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To USA

Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From ChinaTo Canada

Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To Nigeria

Generally speaking, the cost of shipping a 20-foot container from China to the United States ranges from $2,000 to $3,800, depending on the above factors. If you want to know more detailed cost information, you can click on the corresponding posts about freight rates from China to different countries below, or consult the Chinese freight forwarder Presou Logistics to obtain a specific quotation for your goods.