How many pallets fit in a 40ft reefer?

About 23 Euro pallets or 20 standard pallets single-tier — the interior is slightly narrower and shorter than a dry 40ft because of insulation.

Can a reefer be used as a normal dry container?

Yes — carriers ship "NOR" (non-operating reefer) cargo at discounted rates to reposition reefers; the unit stays off and the box works as a slightly smaller dry container.

What does PTI mean for reefers?

Pre-Trip Inspection — a functional test of the refrigeration unit before release. Always ask for a valid PTI when booking perishables.

Equipment guide

40rf

40ft Reefer Container (40' RF High Cube)

The standard cold-chain box — 67.9 m³ of temperature-controlled space

Modern 40ft reefers are built as high cubes, offering about 67.9 m³ of controlled-atmosphere space with a payload near 27.7 tonnes. This is the default unit of the global cold chain — fruit, meat, seafood and pharma move overwhelmingly in this box. Many units also support controlled atmosphere (CA) and humidity management for long-haul produce.

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External dimensions

Length	12,192 mm	40'
Width	2,438 mm	8'
Height	2,896 mm	9'6"

Internal dimensions

Length	11,583 mm	38'
Width	2,294 mm	7'6"
Height	2,557 mm	8'5"
Door opening (W × H)	2,290 × 2,535 mm	7'6" × 8'4"

Weights & capacity

Tare weight	4,800 kg	10,582 lb
Max payload	27,700 kg	61,068 lb
Max gross weight	32,500 kg	71,650 lb
Cubic capacity	67.9 m³	2,398 ft³

Pallet capacity (single tier)

Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm)

Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm)

Typical cargo & use cases

Full-container fruit and vegetable exports
Frozen protein: meat, poultry, seafood
Pharma and food industry raw materials on long hauls

Loading tips

Stow tightly and block gaps — short-circuiting airflow is the top cause of hot spots.
Set ventilation (fresh-air exchange) per commodity; frozen cargo needs it fully closed.
Log the set point in the booking and verify the PTI certificate before stuffing.

Frequently asked questions

How many pallets fit in a 40ft reefer?: About 23 Euro pallets or 20 standard pallets single-tier — the interior is slightly narrower and shorter than a dry 40ft because of insulation.
Can a reefer be used as a normal dry container?: Yes — carriers ship "NOR" (non-operating reefer) cargo at discounted rates to reposition reefers; the unit stays off and the box works as a slightly smaller dry container.
What does PTI mean for reefers?: Pre-Trip Inspection — a functional test of the refrigeration unit before release. Always ask for a valid PTI when booking perishables.

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