Container and Vehicle Dimensions
Container types, semi-trailers and pallet capacities.
Container and vehicle dimensions
Approximate internal dimensions and capacities you can use to plan which container or vehicle your cargo will fit in.
Sea containers
| Type | Internal dimensions (L × W × H, m) | Volume (m³) | Net payload (tonnes) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard (DC) | 5,90 × 2,35 × 2,39 | ≈ 33 | ≈ 28 | 1 TEU |
| 40' Standard (DC) | 12,03 × 2,35 × 2,39 | ≈ 67 | ≈ 26 | 2 TEU |
| 40' High Cube (HC) | 12,03 × 2,35 × 2,69 | ≈ 76 | ≈ 26 | 2 TEU |
| 20' Refrigerated (Reefer) | 5,45 × 2,29 × 2,26 | ≈ 28 | ≈ 27 | 1 TEU |
| 40' HC Refrigerated | 11,56 × 2,29 × 2,50 | ≈ 66 | ≈ 29 | 2 TEU |
Road vehicles
| Vehicle | Internal dimensions (L × W × H, m) | Volume (m³) | Payload (tonnes) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard curtain-sided semi-trailer | 13,60 × 2,45 × 2,70 | ≈ 90 | ≈ 24–26 | 33 Euro pallets · 13.6 LDM |
| Mega / high-volume semi-trailer | 13,60 × 2,45 × 3,00 | ≈ 100 | ≈ 24–26 | 33 Euro pallets |
| Refrigerated semi-trailer | 13,40 × 2,45 × 2,50 | ≈ 80 | ≈ 22–24 | 33 Euro pallets |
| Panel van / light truck (express) | Varies by model and body type | — | 0–3.5 tonnes | Small lot, urgent |
Values are approximate and typical; they vary by manufacturer, body type and national regulations. For exact planning, rely on the current vehicle and container documents.
Other container types
- Open Top: Open-topped; for tall or heavy cargo loaded from above by crane.
- Flat Rack: Platform without side walls; for out-of-gauge and machinery loads.
- Tank: For liquid and gas transport.
- Reefer: Temperature-controlled; for food, pharmaceuticals and sensitive products.
What are TEU and FEU?
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) takes the 20 ft container as the unit of measure. A 40 ft container is 2 TEU, i.e. 1 FEU. Port and vessel capacities are expressed in TEU.
Frequently asked questions
What is TEU?
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit; takes the 20 ft container as the unit of measure. A 40 ft container is 2 TEU.
How many pallets fit in a 40 ft container?
A standard 40 ft container holds about 20–25 Euro pallets; this varies with loading pattern and pallet type.
How many pallets fit in a semi-trailer?
A standard 13.6 m curtain-sided semi-trailer holds 33 Euro pallets in a single row.
What is a High Cube container?
A container type about 30 cm taller than the standard container (about 2.69 m internal height).