Not sure which containers fit your needs? Get an overview of the different container types right here.
Containers come in different shapes and sizes. Suitable for different purposes. Knowing your container types give you a headstart – and the best chances to make the right business decisions for you. We’ll get to your container types overview in a minute.
Because once you’ve decided on the container type, finding the container at the right place and at the right price is the next step. Think back to the last time you went shopping for groceries. When you looked up and down the shelves, did you try to find the reddest, roundest, and most juicy-looking tomatoes – and get them for the best price possible? I sure did.
Then imagine, that instead of walking around surrounded by foods from all over the world, you’d be surrounded by containers. And just as with the groceries at your local store, you’d be able to see all the prices for the different containers. That way you could find the container with just the right height, width, color, and condition for you. At the best price possible. That would be an easy and convenient way to find containers, right?
Well, at Container xChange we thought so. So, we’ve created an online platform that works exactly that way. You can browse through containers, locations, and prices. When you’ve set your eyes on a container, or a bunch of them, you can reach out to the seller directly.
With more than 800 shipping companies using Container xChange to buy, sell, and lease containers, xChange makes it easy for you to find boxes in any and all container types in more than 2500 locations worldwide. You can choose between them all, right from your computer screen. To make it even easier for you, every member of xChange undergoes a thorough background check, so you can find trustworthy partners to strike your next deal with. Online.
But before we get to finding you the containers you need, let’s go over the different container types out there. Let’s go!
Overview: Container types and Dimensions
The 11 most common container types:
Click on the links above to jump directly to a specific container type.
Standard container types
A standard container is the most common type of container in the market. It’s usually made of steel and sometimes aluminum. The aluminum containers have a slightly higher payload. In general, containers are airtight and water-resistant, preventing damage from the outside. One end of the container has doors through which the cargo is stowed. Despite the standardized sizes of 20 and 40-feet containers, the capacity of the containers can vary from operator to operator.
Standard containers can carry most types of dry cargo such as boxes, pallets, sacks, barrels, etc. It can be customized on the inside to carry a specific type of goods. For instance, hangers can be fit inside to carry clothes that could be directly transported to the store. Since standard containers are basic, they are not expensive.
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.9m / 19.4ft | 12.03m / 39.5ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.4m / 7.9ft |
| Internal height | 2.39m / 7.9ft | 2.39m / 7.9ft |
| Tare weight | 2,300kg / 5,071.5 lbs | 3,750kg / 8,268.8 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 25,000 kg / 55,126.9 lbs | 27,600kg / 61,200 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 33.2 m3 / 1,172 cu ft | 67.7 m3 / 2,389 cu ft |
Interested in the 20ft and 40ft containers but still not quite sure? Click on the link below and learn all there is to know about these containers.
High cubes
High cubes, in short HC, reefers to containers that are similar in structure to normal containers. The length and width remain the same, and the height increases. This enables them to meet more cargo demands.
| Measure | 40ft HC | 45ft HC |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 12.03m/39.5ft | 13.55m/44.5ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.35m / 7.8ft |
| Internal height | 2.70m / 8.10ft | 2.70m / 8.10ft |
| Tare weight | 3,900kg / 8,598 lbs | 4,800kg / 10,552 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 28,600 kg / 63,052 lbs | 27,700kg / 61,067 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 76.3 m3 / 2,694.5 cu ft | 86 m3 / 3,037 cu ft |
Are the high cube containers piquing your interest? Learn more about them through that link 👇
Difficult to pin down the container type that’s just right for you? Don’t let searching and finding your containers be that difficult too. There’s no need to send hundreds of emails hoping to get a handful of responses and getting a deal out of that. Container xChange is here to help you save time and money and lessen your stress. On xChange, you can send out your request for containers to hundreds of shipping companies within seconds, increasing your chances of striking a deal with vetted partners.
Container type: Special container types
A special container has been manufactured or converted for different purposes to suit specific needs that can’t be covered by a container with standard sizes and dimensions. Many things can be changed such as:
- A different position of the door(s)
- Changes in the height and width of the container itself
- Technological equipment
Below is a list of special container types and dimensions that you should be aware of.
Reefer container
Reefer containers are nothing but container-sized refrigerators to move goods that need to be maintained at a certain temperature. The flooring of the container has T-shaped decking which sends chilled air into the container. This makes sure there is consistent airflow among the goods. They can maintain any temperature between -30°C and +30°C.
Reefer containers mostly come in 20-feet equivalent units. They carry temperature-sensitive items such as fruits, vegetables, ice cream, drugs, or meat. Each item has a different temperature requirement and it needs to be maintained to protect its freshness. The reefer container can be sectioned to cool and freeze at the same time. It is powered by a generator that provides electricity. When they’re on the road being transported by trucks, the containers are powered by fuel. The reefer container is expensive considering the power and maintenance requirements.
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.44m / 17.9ft | 11.56m / 37.9ft |
| Internal width | 2.29m / 7.5ft | 2.28m / 7.5ft |
| Internal height | 2.27m / 7.5ft | 2.25m / 7.4ft |
| Tare weight | 3,080kg / 6,791.4 lbs | 4,800kg / 10,584 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 27,700 kg / 61,078.5 lbs | 29,520kg / 65,080 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 59.3 m3 / 2,093.3 cu ft | 67.3 m3 / 2,380 cu ft |
Interested in reefers but still not quite sure? Click on the link below and learn all there is to know about this container type.
Double door container
Double Door Containers are built to have double doors that swing open outside on both ends. Both sets of doors are built with the same specifications. It is the most convenient option for loading and unloading a container, as goods can be loaded or quickly unloaded from either end as required. For instance, a car loaded can just drive through and doesn’t have to be reversed.
They are also called tunnel containers as they are used to create a safe passage in construction sites. The container can be customized according to the storage purposes of the customer. It can be partitioned to make different slots.
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.9m / 19.4ft | 12.03m / 39.5ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.4m / 7.9ft |
| Internal height | 2.39m / 7.9ft | 2.39m / 7.9ft |
| Tare weight | 2,300kg / 5,071.5 lbs | 3,750kg / 8,268.8 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 25,000 kg / 55,126.9 lbs | 27,600kg / 61,200 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 33.2 m3 / 1,172 cu ft | 67.7 m3 / 2,389 cu ft |
Are the Double Door Containers piquing your interest? Learn more about them through that link 👇
Open-top container
Open-top containers, as the name suggests, have an open top. The roof of the container is covered with tarpaulin sheets instead of a solid roof. That way it can be covered or left open according to convenience. The container is made of steel with wooden flooring and the door heads can be swung open for easy loading and unloading. They’re usually in the sizes of 20-feet and 40-feet containers.
Open-top containers are used when cargo is too large to be in a regular shipping container. For instance, machinery or heavy materials that cannot be stowed sideways but arranged from the top through heavy-lifting cranes. These containers have larger capacities than the normal ones as the roof is open. It has lashing rings that keep the cargo stable and has the capacity to load 1000 kgs.
The open-top containers might be generally high in price as there are not many units in circulation in the market. The price may also differ based on whether the container is in “gauge” or not. As in if the height of the cargo is under the roof level or is protruding above the roof level. If the cargo is protruding, it is expensive and other containers cannot be stacked on top of it, and it is very wasteful.
Some of the common items loaded in an open-top are pipes, cables, construction materials, machinery, and bulky raw materials.
Open top measures
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.89m / 19.4ft | 12.03m / 39.5ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.4m / 7.9ft |
| Internal height | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.34m / 7.8ft |
| Tare weight | 2,260kg / 5,982 lbs | 3,980kg / 8,774 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 28,220 kg / 62,214 lbs | 26,500kg / 58,422 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 32.7 m3 / 1,155 cu ft | 66.7 m3 / 2,356 cu ft |
Interested in Open Top Containers but still not quite sure? Click on the link below and learn all there is to know about this container type.
Container type: Pallet wide
These containers were designed specifically to carry wooden Euro pallets that are commonly used within Europe. They are available as 20-feet, 40-feet, and high cube containers. The pallets are usually in the size of 1200x800x144. A standard 20-feet container can carry 11 of them, while a pallet wide 20-feet container can carry 15 pallets. This is possible because the containers are approximately 5m wider on the inside than the standard ones.
The pallet wide containers keep the cargo tight, so there is almost no chance of cargo slipping. As seen, this kind of container is made to measure exactly two euro-pallets in width. In comparison, the standard container is only able to carry one.
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.89m / 19.32ft | 12.03m / 39.46ft |
| Internal width | 2.44m / 8ft | 2.44m / 8ft |
| Internal height | 2.39m / 7.84ft | 2.38m / 7.80ft |
| Tare weight | 2,400kg / 5,291.09 lbs | 3,800kg / 8,377.56 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 28,080 kg / 61,905.80 lbs | 26,680kg / 58,819.33 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 34.34 m3 / 1,213 cu ft | 69.86 m3 / 2,467.12 cu ft |
Are the Pallet Wide Containers piquing your interest? Learn more about them through that link 👇
Have you found exactly the container type you’re looking for? That was the difficult part! Whether you want to buy or lease the containers, you can simply and easily source them on Container xChange. xChange’s online neutral platform already brings together hundreds of vetted and trustworthy container owners and users every month. Want to find your containers now? Join Container xChange together with 800+ shipping companies.
Container type: Flat rack containers
Flat rack containers are used for heavy loads and cargo that need loading from the top or sides such as pipes, machinery, or busses. The containers only have sides on the short end of the container.
The numerous lashing rings allow the load to be secured safely and by the legal regulations. For example, crates exceeding the size of a closed container can be loaded. It’s even possible to attach stanchions. Thus, creating a lateral boundary without having to forego the other advantages of a flat rack container.
The new generation of flat rack containers is capable of accommodating loads of up to 40,000 – 50,000 kilograms with uniform distribution of the load. Although this makes it possible to load the above-mentioned goods, they usually take up a single place on a container ship. Due to the dimensions of the cargo or its weight, stacking is not possible.
Flat rack container types and dimensions
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.94m / 19ft | 12.13m / 39.8ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.7ft | 2.40m / 7.9ft |
| Internal height | 2.35m / 7.7ft | 2.14m / 7ft |
| Tare weight | 2,360kg / 5203.8 lbs | 5,000kg / 11,025 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 30,140 kg / 66,458.7 lbs | 40,000kg / 88,200 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 32.7 m3 / 1,154.3 cu ft | 62.2 m3 / 2,195.7 cu ft |
There are different sizes of flat rack containers and two different types. A collapsible flat rack has sides that can be collapsed so that empty containers can be shipped more efficiently. Fixed-end flat racks can be shipped and have a greater top load as they are often stronger in construction.
Interested in the Flat Rack Containers but still not quite sure? Click on the link below and learn all there is to know about this container type.
Flat rack container vs open top container
Open top container (left) vs. flat rack containers (right)
Just like open-top containers or reefers, flat rack containers are special containers. This means higher freight costs for transport and stacking are often not possible due to dimensions or weight, which makes it necessary to occupy a single space.
All though open tops and flat racks are similar, it’s recommended to use them for different cargo. Open tops are good for heavy or high cargo. Where flat rack containers are good when there’s no other choice as roof bows add to the structural integrity of a container to avoid buckling.
Side door container
A side door container, also known as an open side container, has extra doors that open on the long side of the container on top of the doors in the end. The floor is fitted with surringsrings to hold the cargo in place. The side doors make it extremely convenient to load cargo that is bulky and cannot fit through the end doors. More workers can work simultaneously while loading or retrieving the cargo and it gives full access to retrieve what is needed.
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.9m / 19.4ft | 12.03m / 39.5ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.7ft | 2.28m / 7.4ft |
| Internal height | 2.34m / 7.7ft | 2.29m / 7.5ft |
| Tare weight | 3,200kg / 7,054.7 lbs | 6,100kg / 13,448.2 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 20,800 kg / 45,856.1 lbs | 30,400kg / 67,020.5 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 31.0 m3 / 1,094.7 cu ft | 64 m3 / 2,260.1 cu ft |
Are the Side Door Containers piquing your interest? Learn more about them through that link 👇
Container type: Hard top container
Hard top containers are very similar to open containers with the difference being a detachable steel roof instead of a tarpaulin sheet. The roof of a hard top container has points through which a forklift can lift the roof. As seen with the previous containers, this design allows for easy loading/unloading of specific types of cargo.
| Measure | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.89m / 19.4ft | 12.03m / 39.5ft |
| Internal width | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.4m / 7.9ft |
| Internal height | 2.35m / 7.8ft | 2.34m / 7.8ft |
| Tare weight | 2,260kg / 5,982 lbs | 3,980kg / 8,774 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 28,220 kg / 62,214 lbs | 26,500kg / 58,422 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 32.7 m3 / 1,155 cu ft | 66.7 m3 / 2,356 cu ft |
Interested in the Hard Top Containers but still not quite sure? Click on the link below and learn all there is to know about this container type.
Tank container
Tank containers are easily recognized, as their shape resembles more of a cylinder than a rectangular box. The containers, also known as tankers, are made of strong steel and anti-corrosive materials. Ensuring that the containers can sustain the transport – and protect the liquid material they carry.
As with any other container type, tank containers come in different shapes and sizes. Here’s how the measurements look like for a 20ft tank container.
| Measure | 20FT |
| Inside length | 6.058 m |
| Inside width | 2.438 m |
| Door width | 0 m |
| Door height | 0 m |
| Capacity | 21,000 l |
| Tare weight | 26290 kg |
Depending on the size of the tank container, it can carry up to 26,000 liters. Here, it’s important to remember, that the tankers should be at least 80% full. That way the liquids can surge too much during transit. However, the container shouldn’t be more than 95% full either – otherwise, there won’t be room for thermal expansion.
One-trip containers – all the container types
One-trip containers can be any container type you’re looking for. What separates the one-trip container from all the others, is the fact that they only go on one trip before they’re sold. That means the trip where they’re shipped from the manufacturer to the owner.
If you buy a one-trip container, the condition of it will be better – and last longer – as it’s practically new. Apart from that one trip, of course. With these containers, you get a better long-term value and can re-sell the containers at a higher price. But that also means you’ll have to pay a higher price when you buy it.
Want to know how much a one-trip container costs on average and how to save money on them? Click on the link below and learn all there is to know about these containers.
Insulated container
Insulated containers are vital to our cold chain. They keep the same temperature inside the container, regardless of the temperatures outside its four walls.
Insulated containers often have a double wall. That’s vacuumed so it prevents heat and cold transfer between the outside of the box and the inside. The interior is fully sealed to avoid condensation and moisture. But it’s not all that simple. Because there are different types of insulated containers. You can read all about them in this blog article, which will tell you all you need to know about insulated containers.
Now you might be wondering what the difference between an insulated container and a reefer is. Actually, it’s quite simple. It’s all to do with the cooling system reefer containers have.
A reefer provides precise temperature control inside the container. An insulated container just maintains the initial temperature and protects the interior from exterior conditions. Reefers are used for climate-controlled storage and keep goods cold, frozen, or at a specific temperature during long-distance shipping. Insulated containers are often used in the retail market.
Have you found the right container type by now? Then keep on reading, and we’ll tell you how you can buy or lease your next containers from trusted partners – quickly and easily.
Buy or sell your different container types on xChange
Standard or special containers, 40HCs or Reefers – if you’re looking for containers to buy, sell or lease, Container xChange is the right place for you. On the platform, it’s possible to advertise and sell your stock and find different container types. Commission-free.
Instead of manually sending out emails with stock lists, you can now simply reach 800 shipping companies and sell or lease containers online within seconds. Container xChange is not a trader. We simply provide an online platform for our members to trade containers in a global, trustworthy environment.
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About The Author: Florian Frese
Florian Frese works in Marketing & Communications at Container xChange – the world’s first marketplace that connects users and suppliers in container logistics. Florian is an advocate of pushing forward tech and data standards in container logistics. Did you know that every third container is being moved empty? That’s a $20 billion problem not only for the shipping industry, but also for the environment.
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