ISO Standard Equipment Matrix

Intermodal Container Specifications Guide

A standard 20ft dry ocean container has a maximum net cargo payload of 28,280 kg (volume 33.2 m³), while a standard 40ft dry container accommodates 26,730 kg (67.7 m³), and a 40ft High Cube carries 28,600 kg (76.4 m³). In European overland trucking, a standard 13.6m Mega Trailer carries up to 24,000 kg (100 m³) subject to 40-tonne highway gross weight limits.

Updated October 2026 · Brosan Lojistik operations team

Ultra-large container vessel MSC Türkiye loading at Turkish deep-water port with STS cranes

Intermodal Container Specifications GuideInternational Deep-Water Container Terminal Operations

Verified Commercial Logistics Utility

Quick Answer: How Many Tons Can a Shipping Container Hold?

A standard 20ft ocean container (20' DC) holds a maximum payload of approximately 28,280 kg (28.28 metric tons) with a tare weight of 2,200 kg and max gross of 30,480 kg. A standard 40ft container (40' DC) carries up to 26,730 kg (26.73 tons), while a 40ft High Cube carries up to 28,600 kg (28.60 tons). A 13.6m Mega trailer carries up to 24,800 kg, capped at 24,000 kg highway legal weight.

20ft Standard Container (20' DC): 28,280 kg (28.28 t); Tare: 2,200 kg | Max Gross: 30,480 kg | 33.2 m³
40ft Standard Container (40' DC): 26,730 kg (26.73 t); Tare: 3,750 kg | Max Gross: 30,480 kg | 67.7 m³
40ft High Cube Container (40' HC): 28,600 kg (28.60 t); Tare: 3,900 kg | Max Gross: 32,500 kg | 76.4 m³
13.6m Mega Trailer (Code XL): 24,000–24,800 kg; Highway Legal Limit: 24,000 kg | Volume: 101.3 m³

ISO Shipping Container and Trailer Payload, Tare, and Gross Specifications
Equipment Type	Max Net Payload	Tare Weight	Max Gross Weight	Cubic Volume (m³)	Road Drayage Limit
20' Dry Container (20' DC / GP)	28,280 kg (28.28 t)	2,200 kg	30,480 kg	33.2 m³	24,000 kg (Road Drayage)
40' Dry Container (40' DC / GP)	26,730 kg (26.73 t)	3,750 kg	30,480 kg	67.7 m³	24,000 kg (Road Drayage)
40' High Cube Container (40' HC)	28,600 kg (28.60 t)	3,900 kg	32,500 kg	76.4 m³	24,000 kg (Road Drayage)
13.60m Mega Trailer (Code XL)	24,800 kg (24.80 t)	~14,200 kg	40,000 kg	101.3 m³	24,000 kg (Legal Limit)

Container & Trailer Engineering Specifications Guide

ISO standard dimensions, door clearances, tare weights, payloads & pallet accommodation

System:

Equipment Category:

ISO Ocean ContainerID: 20ft-dry

20ft General Purpose Dry Container (20' GP)

The international standard for high-density, heavy freight such as steel, stone, chemical drums, and machinery.

Request Quote for this Equipment

Cubic Capacity

33.2 m³

Total usable internal volume

Max Net Cargo Payload

28,250 kg

Tare: 2,230 kg

Euro Pallets (120x80cm)

11 pallets

Floor arrangement capacity

Standard Pallets (120x100cm)

9 pallets

Floor arrangement capacity

Internal Dimensions

Internal Length:5.90 m

Internal Width:2.35 m

Internal Height:2.39 m

External Dimensions

External Length:6.06 m

External Width:2.44 m

External Height:2.59 m

Door Opening & Gross Weight

Door Opening Width:2.34 m

Door Opening Height:2.28 m

Max Gross Weight:30,480 kg

Technical Dimension Diagram (20ft General Purpose Dry Container)Scale: Standard ISO / DIN EN 12642

Side Elevation

L: 5.90 m

Height: 2.39 m

Top-Down Floor Layout

11 Euro / 9 Std Pallets

Width: 2.35 m

Rear Door Clear Opening

2.34 m W × 2.28 m H

Clearance for Forklift & Cranes

Recommended Cargo & Commodities

Heavy industrial machinery & metal components
Chemical drums & IBC liquid containers
Dense raw materials (granite, marble, tiles)
High-weight consumer goods

Key Structural Features & Certifications

High payload-to-volume ratio
Corrugated corten steel weather-tight construction
Multiple interior lashing rings (1,000 kg capacity each)
Heavy-duty marine plywood flooring (28mm thickness)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between a 40ft GP and a 40ft High Cube (HC)?▾

The key difference is height. A standard 40ft General Purpose (GP) container has an external height of 8 feet 6 inches (2.591 meters) and an internal height of 2.393 meters, providing 67.7 m³ of volume. A 40ft High Cube (HC) is exactly 1 foot (30 cm) taller at 9 feet 6 inches (2.896 meters) external height and 2.698 meters internal height, yielding 76.4 m³ (an extra 8.7 m³ of volume). High Cube containers are the international standard for lightweight, voluminous freight and high machinery.

What makes a 13.6m Mega Trailer superior for automotive and industrial logistics?▾

A Mega Trailer offers an internal clear height of 3.00 meters throughout its entire 13.62-meter length (giving 101.3 m³ volume) compared to 2.70 meters in standard trailers (91.2 m³). Mega trailers are Code XL certified, feature hydraulic lifting roofs that raise during loading to allow overhead crane or side forklift access, and can accommodate three stacked Gitterbox automotive cages or 66 double-deck Euro pallets.

How does a refrigerated (Reefer) container maintain temperature?▾

Reefer containers feature integrated electric refrigeration machinery (typically Carrier Transicold, Thermo King, or Daikin) powered by vessel electricity or portable diesel generator sets (gensets) during road drayage. Air is circulated from the bottom of the container through aluminum T-bar flooring, maintaining precise temperatures from -30°C to +30°C with automated electronic trip data logging.

Related Freight Calculation Tools

Plan your Turkish export shipments with our suite of specialized logistics calculators:

CBM Calculator

Calculate shipment cubic meters and chargeable freight weight

Pallet Calculator

Calculate Euro & standard pallet stuffing in trucks and containers

Transit Time Estimator

Estimate door-to-door transit times across 30+ European corridors

Ready to Book Freight with Verified Equipment Specs?

Connect your specific container or trailer requirements directly with Brosan Lojistik’s operations desk. Receive binding shipping rates and equipment availability within 2 hours.

Get Instant Quote