Guide · Decide

Which container do I need?

The container you need depends on three things: how many pallets or cubic metres your load takes up, how much it weighs and whether it needs anything special, such as refrigeration or loading by crane. Whichever reaches the equipment’s limit first decides. This table gives you the usual equipment for each case.

Which equipment for your load

Indicative figures, using typical values. Each equipment sheet gives the dimensions, door opening and payload of that unit.

Your load	Usual equipment	Why
Up to about 11 EUR pallets or about 33 m³, or dense, heavy goods	20'	It reaches its weight limit before its volume: about 28,100–30,200 kg of payload.
From 12 to about 23–25 EUR pallets, or up to about 67–68 m³	40'	Twice the volume of the 20′ with a similar payload (26,500–28,800 kg).
Light, bulky goods or tall packages, up to about 76 m³	40' High Cube	The floor plan of the 40′ with about 30 cm more height.
Very bulky: more than fits in a 40′ HC	45' High Cube	About 85–86 m³ inside.
Refrigerated or temperature-controlled	20' or 40' Reefer	It has its own refrigeration unit; the insulation takes up some of the volume.
Tall goods loaded from above by crane	20' Open Top	No rigid roof: it is covered with a tarpaulin.
Very heavy or out of gauge	40' Flat Rack	A platform with end walls and about 38,800–40,100 kg of payload.

Pallet counts are calculated for EUR pallets (1,200 × 800 mm) in a single tier; fewer 1,200 × 1,000 mm industrial pallets fit. You will find the count for each container in the pallets per container calculator, and the volume of your load in the CBM calculator.

The three limits: space, weight and road

Space. You cannot use the whole interior volume: packages leave gaps, and the door is lower and narrower than the interior.
Weight. The payload on the CSC plate must not be exceeded, and the VGM must be declared before the container is loaded on board (see the VGM guide).
Road. The truck carrying the container has its own maximum authorised weight and axle loads (see EU truck weight limits and, for Spain, truck axle weights in Spain).

What each container type is and what it is used for: shipping container dimensions and types. A detailed comparison of the 20′ and the 40′: 20ft vs 40ft containers. And to check your load against the equipment you have chosen, run a pre-booking load validation.

Validate your load before it ships.

Last reviewed: 28 October 2026

Questions about choosing a container

Will my load fit in a 40ft container?

A 40′ takes about 23–25 EUR pallets in a single tier, has about 67–68 m³ inside and carries between 26,500 and 28,800 kg of cargo, depending on the unit. Whichever limit you reach first is the one that counts. Check it with your actual load.

Which container do I need for 20 pallets?

For EUR pallets in a single tier, a 40′ or a 40′ HC: only about 11 fit in a 20′. With 1,200 × 1,000 mm industrial pallets, about 20–21 fit in a 40′, so it is tight. And check the weight: 20 pallets of 1,500 kg (30,000 kg) already exceed the payload of a 40′. Check it with your actual load.

20ft or 40ft?

It depends on how dense your load is. If it is heavy, a 20′ reaches its weight limit before its volume; if it is bulky, a 40′ gives you twice the space with a similar payload. Check it with your actual load.

When is a High Cube worth it?

When your load is light and takes up a lot of space, or you have tall packages: it has the same floor plan as the 40′ but about 30 cm more height. No more pallets fit on the floor, but you get more height per pallet or room for a second tier. Check it with your actual load.

What if my load is very heavy?

First check the payload on the container’s CSC plate and how the weight is spread across the floor. On the road, the vehicle must also stay within its maximum authorised weight and axle loads. For very heavy or out-of-gauge pieces, use a Flat Rack. Check it with your actual load.

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