When importing wholesale goods internationally, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right shipping container. The container size you select directly impacts your per-unit shipping cost, how much inventory you can move in a single shipment, and ultimately your profit margins. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the most common container sizes and how to choose wisely.
Understanding Container Sizes
The two most widely used container types in international shipping are the 20-foot standard container (often called a TEU, or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) and the 40-foot standard container (FEU, or Forty-foot Equivalent Unit). There is also the 40-foot High Cube container, which provides an extra foot of vertical space. Here is how they compare:
20FT Standard
- Internal: 19'4" x 7'8" x 7'10"
- Capacity: ~1,170 cu ft
- Max Payload: ~28,200 kg
- Best for: Heavy, dense goods
40FT Standard
- Internal: 39'5" x 7'8" x 7'10"
- Capacity: ~2,390 cu ft
- Max Payload: ~26,700 kg
- Best for: Large volume shipments
40FT High Cube
- Internal: 39'5" x 7'8" x 8'10"
- Capacity: ~2,700 cu ft
- Max Payload: ~26,460 kg
- Best for: Lightweight, bulky items
A 20-foot container is roughly half the volume of a 40-foot container but does not cost half the price to ship. Typically, a 40-foot container costs only about 20-30% more than a 20-footer on most trade routes. This means that if you have enough goods to fill a 40-foot container, your per-unit shipping cost will be significantly lower.
Calculating What You Need
The key to efficient container ordering is understanding that you are limited by two factors: volume and weight. You will hit one of these limits before the other, and which one depends on the type of goods you are shipping. For example, electronics and heavy machinery tend to be weight-limited -- you will reach the maximum payload long before the container is physically full. On the other hand, lightweight consumer goods like pillows, plastic products, or apparel are volume-limited -- you will run out of space before you approach the weight ceiling.
To calculate your needs, start by determining the cubic volume and total weight of your order. Your supplier should be able to provide carton dimensions and weights for each product. Multiply the number of cartons by the individual carton volume to get total cubic footage, then compare against the container capacities above. Always leave a 5-10% buffer for loading inefficiencies, as cartons rarely stack perfectly to the ceiling and walls.
Cost Optimization Tips
If your order does not fill an entire container, you have two options: pay for a Full Container Load (FCL) and absorb the unused space, or ship via Less than Container Load (LCL), where your goods share container space with other shippers. FCL is almost always cheaper per cubic meter once you exceed about 15 cubic meters of cargo, and it comes with the added benefit of reduced handling (your goods stay sealed from origin to destination).
Another strategy is mixed loading -- combining multiple product orders into a single container. If you are buying from the same region (for example, multiple suppliers in Guangdong, China), you can consolidate shipments at a local warehouse before loading everything into one container. This maximizes utilization and spreads the fixed shipping cost across more products. GWS offers consolidation services through our managed logistics program, making this process seamless for our members.
Finally, consider the timing of your shipments. Shipping rates fluctuate seasonally, with peak rates typically occurring from August through October as retailers stock up for the holiday season. If your inventory planning allows it, booking containers during the quieter months of January through April can yield savings of 15-25% on freight costs.