Complete technical specifications for the 40ft standard ISO shipping container. External and internal dimensions, weight, capacity, and door opening. Metric (mm/kg) and imperial (ft/lb) units side by side. ISO 1496-1 certified.
Quick Reference
The 40ft standard dry container (also known as 40' DC, 40' GP, or 4220) is the workhorse of global shipping. Twice the length of a 20ft, with the same width and height. Carries roughly twice the cargo of a 20ft for marginally higher transport cost — making it the preferred choice for high-volume / low-density cargo.
Full 40ft container specification sheet with dimensions, weight, capacity tables — formatted for printing.
| Feature | Metric (mm / kg / m³) | Imperial (ft / lb / ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| External Dimensions | ||
| Length | 12,192 mm | 40 ft 0 in |
| Width | 2,438 mm | 8 ft 0 in |
| Height | 2,591 mm | 8 ft 6 in |
| Internal Dimensions | ||
| Length | 12,032 mm | 39 ft 5.7 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) | 3,750 kg | 8,267 lb |
| Max payload | 26,730 kg | 58,933 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,200 lb |
| Internal volume | 67.7 m³ | 2,390 ft³ |
| Pallet Capacity | ||
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 25 pallets | |
| Standard / US pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 20 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) | 42G1 | |
Industry Applications
The 40ft standard is the most-shipped container size globally. Here are typical loadings:
Boxed goods, packaged products, retail merchandise, electronics — high volume, moderate weight.
Sofas, mattresses, white goods, household appliances. The 40ft maximises volume per shipping movement.
Up to 4 cars, multiple motorcycles, or hundreds of bicycles in racking. Frequent automotive trade.
Garments on hangers (GOH), folded textile cartons, fabric rolls. Common in Asia → Europe trade.
Tiles, ceramics, prefab elements, lightweight steel, insulation. 40ft suits volume-heavy materials.
Books, files, archives. Lower weight per unit makes 40ft volume more useful than 20ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare With Other Sizes
We have 40ft Standard and 40ft High Cube units available — new (One-Trip) and used (Cargo Worthy / WWT) — across our European depot network. Quote within 24 hours.
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