Equipment guide
20gp
20ft Container (20' Dry / GP)
The workhorse of global trade — 1 TEU, ideal for dense cargo
The 20ft general-purpose (dry) container is the base unit of container shipping — one TEU. With roughly 33 m³ of space but a payload allowance of about 28 tonnes, it suits dense, heavy cargo such as machinery, metals, tiles, and bagged commodities, where a 40ft box would hit its weight limit long before it filled up.
Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
External dimensions
| Length | 6,058 mm | 19'11" |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2,438 mm | 8' |
| Height | 2,591 mm | 8'6" |
Internal dimensions
| Length | 5,898 mm | 19'4" |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2,352 mm | 7'9" |
| Height | 2,393 mm | 7'10" |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2,340 × 2,280 mm | 7'8" × 7'6" |
Weights & capacity
| Tare weight | 2,300 kg | 5,071 lb |
|---|---|---|
| Max payload | 28,180 kg | 62,126 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Cubic capacity | 33.2 m³ | 1,172 ft³ |
Pallet capacity (single tier)
11
Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm)
10
Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm)
Typical cargo & use cases
- Heavy, dense cargo: machinery, steel, ceramics, minerals
- Bagged or drummed commodities and raw materials
- Smaller FCL shipments that don't justify a 40ft
Loading tips
- Check the payload limit before the volume — a 20ft usually weighs out before it cubes out.
- Spread heavy items evenly over the floor to keep axle loads legal on the road leg.
- 11 Euro pallets fit in one tier — plan pallet orientation before booking.
Frequently asked questions
- How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?
- 11 Euro pallets (1200×800 mm) or about 10 standard pallets (1200×1000 mm) in a single tier. Double-stacking is possible if the cargo height and weight allow.
- How many CBM is a 20ft container?
- About 33 m³ published capacity; in practice plan for 26–28 m³ of actual cargo once packing losses are counted.
- What is the maximum weight for a 20ft container?
- Around 28,180 kg of cargo (max gross ≈ 30,480 kg), but road regulations at origin/destination often cap the practical limit lower — check with your forwarder.