Generally, for common shipping boxes, a 40ft HC container can accommodate 450 to 690 units, slightly more than a standard 40ft container. For example, a 40ft container can generally accommodate 570 boxes measuring 20" × 20" × 20".
The 40ft HC (High Cube) container has the same length as the standard 40ft container, but they differ in height. The HC container is 12 inches (about 30 centimeters) taller than the standard container. This additional height provides loaders with more volume, making them very useful in the following situations:
Optimizing space utilization: HC containers are particularly suitable for situations requiring optimized use of space inside the container. The increased height allows for more operational space for loading and stacking goods.
Meeting specific cargo requirements: Certain types of cargo, such as lightweight industrial equipment or large components, may not be suitable for standard containers due to height restrictions. In such cases, HC containers become a good choice.
Below is the interior size of a 40ft high cube container:
Length (Interior): 39 feet 5 inches
Width (Interior): 7 feet 8 inches
Height (Interior): 8 feet 10 inches
Interior Capacity: 2669.38 cubic feet
How many boxes can fit in a 40ft high cube container?In shipping, goods can be packaged in various sizes of boxes. Generally, for common shipping boxes, a 40ft HC container can accommodate 450 to 690 units, slightly more than a standard 40ft container. For example, a 40ft HC container can generally accommodate 570 boxes measuring 20" × 20" × 20".
The following table lists common box dimensions along with the maximum quantity that can fit in a 40ft HC container.
| Box dimensions | Qty per 40ft HC ctnr | Example |
| 8" × 8" × 8" | 9009 | Drinking Glasses |
| 12" × 3" × 17-1/2" | 7321 | Jacket or Sweater |
| 12" × 12" × 18" | 1779 | Coffee Maker |
| 13" × 9" × 11" | 3584 | Large Bowl |
| 16" × 16" × 16" | 1126 | Lamp |
| 14" × 14" × 14" | 1681 | Set of Bowls |
| 20" × 20" × 20" | 576 | Speakers |
| 27" × 17" × 12" | 837 | Skateboard |
| 12" × 9" × 6" | 7118 | Picture Frames |
| 11" × 11" × 11" | 3465 | Large Vase |
| 17" × 17" × 7" | 2280 | Playstation |
| 20" × 20" × 12" | 960 | Dinnerware Set |
| 22" × 22" × 22" | 433 | Stand Mixer |
| 24" × 24" × 24" | 333 | Crockpot |
| 28" × 28" × 28" | 210 | Sports Equipment |
| 24" × 24" × 18" | 444 | Computer Printer |
| 18" × 13" × 11-3/4" | 1677 | Desktop PC |
| 15" × 15" × 48" | 427 | Golf Bag |
| 50" × 9" × 9" | 1138 | Golf Club |
| 54" × 8" × 28" | 381 | Bike |
| 20" × 8" × 50" | 576 | Guitar |
| 38" × 8" × 26" | 583 | TV (Small) |
| 46" × 8" × 30" | 417 | TV (Medium) |
| 56" × 8" × 36" | 286 | TV (Large) |
Loading Tips:
Even distribution of goods: Ensure that the goods are evenly distributed within the container to avoid excessive center of gravity, which may lead to stability issues during transportation. Heavy items should be placed at the bottom and center of the container, while lighter items can be placed on top or on the sides to prevent tipping or shifting.
Stacking properly: Stack items according to their size and weight to avoid stability issues caused by excessive stacking height.
Utilize corner space: Corner and edge positions can also be used to place suitable goods to improve space utilization.
See Also:
How many boxes fit in a 20ft container?
