Complete technical specifications for the 20ft standard ISO shipping container — the original TEU. External and internal dimensions, weight, capacity, and door opening. Metric (mm/kg) and imperial (ft/lb) side by side. ISO 1496-1 certified.
Quick Reference
The 20ft standard dry container (also known as 20' DC, 20' GP, or 2200) is the global shipping unit of measure — the original TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit). All container ship capacities, port throughputs, and freight rates are quoted in TEU. Best suited for dense, heavy cargo where weight — not volume — is the limiting factor.
Full 20ft container specification sheet with dimensions, weight, capacity tables — formatted for printing.
| Feature | Metric (mm / kg / m³) | Imperial (ft / lb / ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| External Dimensions | ||
| Length | 6,058 mm | 19 ft 10.5 in |
| Width | 2,438 mm | 8 ft 0 in |
| Height | 2,591 mm | 8 ft 6 in |
| Internal Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,898 mm | 19 ft 4.2 in |
| Width | 2,352 mm | 7 ft 8.6 in |
| Height | 2,393 mm | 7 ft 10.2 in |
| Door Opening | ||
| Width | 2,343 mm | 7 ft 8.2 in |
| Height | 2,280 mm | 7 ft 5.7 in |
| Weight & Capacity | ||
| Tare weight (empty) | 2,200 kg | 4,850 lb |
| Max payload | 28,280 kg | 62,350 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,200 lb |
| Internal volume | 33.2 m³ | 1,172 ft³ |
| Pallet Capacity | ||
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 11 pallets | |
| Standard / US pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 9–10 pallets | |
| Construction | ||
| Material | Corten weathering steel | |
| Floor | 28 mm marine plywood (standard) | |
| Stack height | 9 high (laden) | |
| CSC certified | ✓ Yes (ISO 1496-1) | |
| Type code (ISO 6346) | 22G1 | |
| TEU equivalence | 1 TEU (the unit standard) | |
Industry Applications
The 20ft is preferred when cargo is dense or heavy rather than bulky. Common loadings:
Iron ore concentrates, scrap metal, copper, lead. Heavy density means 20ft hits payload limit before volume.
Bottled drinks, canned goods, drums of chemicals, oils. Weight-limited cargo.
Reels of paper, cardboard, pulp bales. Dense and heavy — 20ft handles 28+ tonnes payload.
Industrial equipment, motors, pumps, generators. Heavy and compact — fits 20ft perfectly.
Tiles, ceramics, sanitaryware, marble slabs. Heavy materials better suited to 20ft.
Construction site offices, secure tool storage. Easy to handle on smaller sites than 40ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare With Other Sizes
We have 20ft Standard units available — new (One-Trip) and used (IICL / Cargo Worthy / WWT) — across our European depot network. Quote within 24 hours.
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