20DC
Metals, tiles, cement, machinery, grain, and any cargo denser than roughly 650–850 kg/m³. The exact threshold depends on the CSC plate. You will hit the weight limit long before filling the volume.
Containers
20ft Container: Dimensions, Weight, and Volume
Inside, a 20-foot container measures 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m with a volume of about 33 m³. Empty, it weighs 2.1–2.4 t, accommodates cargo up to 28.3 t, and the door clearance allows packages up to 2.28 m high.
- Internal5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39mL × W × H, standard 20DC
- Door2.34 × 2.28mW × H opening
- Volume33m³up to 38.4 m³ in 20HC
- Payload up to28.3tper CSC plate, lower on roads
- Tare2.1–2.4tempty container
- Euro pallets11pcs1,200 × 800, single tier
A 20-foot container is typically used for heavy cargo such as metal, tiles, and machinery. It offers half the capacity of a 40-foot container, yet holds almost the same cargo weight. Therefore, we calculate payload based on door clearance and gross weight rather than container length.
External, Internal, and Door Dimensions
Externally, all 20-foot containers are identical as specified by ISO 668. Internal dimensions may vary by a few centimeters across different series.
| Parameter | 20DCstandard | 20HChigh cube |
|---|---|---|
| External, L × W × H | 6 058 × 2 438 × 2 591 mm | 6 058 × 2 438 × 2 896 mm |
| Internal length | 5 898–5 905 mm | 5 900 mm |
| Internal width | 2 350–2 352 mm | 2 350 mm |
| Internal height | 2 390–2 393 mm | 2 693–2 698 mm |
| Volume | 33–33.2 m³ | 37.4–38.4 m³ |
| Door opening, W × H | 2 336 × 2 280 mm | 2 340 × 2 585 mm |
| Tare weight | 2 145–2 370 kg | 2 320–2 560 kg |
| Payload | 21 600–28 335 kg | 27 900–28 140 kg |
| Max gross weight | 24 000–30 480 kg | 30 480 kg |
Wall profiles, flooring, and corner castings vary between manufacturers, which explains the ranges shown in the table. If cargo fits tightly, internal dimensions must be verified with a tape measure on the specific unit.
Cargo clearance issues most often occur at the door opening rather than the ceiling. A standard 20DC has a door opening of 2,336 × 2,280 mm, while the internal height is 2,390 mm. A machine that is 2.35 m high will fit inside, but will not clear the door. For such cargo, a 20HC (High Cube) container is used, featuring a door opening of about 2,585 mm. The width of an HC container is identical to a DC, so extra height will not help with oversized width.
Data sources: ISO 668:2020 with amendment Amd 1:2022 — external dimensions and gross weight; GOST R 53350-2009 — standard external specifications and minimum internal dimensions; Shipping line and manufacturer catalogs — internal dimensions, tare weight, payload (ranges by series); RF Government Decree No. 2200 dated Dec 21, 2020 — road train weight and height limits
Maximum Cargo Capacity
The door data plate permits more weight than road regulations allow. At sea, the limit is set by the container; on the road, by the total road train gross vehicle weight.
An empty 20DC weighs 2,145–2,370 kg, with a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg for most units. Payload across different series ranges from 21,600 to 28,335 kg. Always calculate payload using the CSC safety plate on the container door (gross weight minus tare). Never rely on figures from an adjacent container of the same type.
High-density cargo is often more cost-effective to ship in two 20-foot containers rather than one 40-foot unit. According to the CSC plate, a 40-foot container carries nearly the same tonnage as a single 20-foot container, whereas a pair of 20-foot units doubles the capacity.
- Sea:
- Up to the gross weight specified on the CSC plate. Before vessel loading, shipping lines require verified gross mass (VGM).
- Road:
- The entire road train (truck tractor, semi-trailer, and container) up to 40 t on 5 axles and up to 44 t on 6 axles. The allowable cargo weight depends on the truck and chassis, so we calculate it per specific route.
- Floor load:
- Heavy packages must not be placed along a single side. Weight must be distributed evenly along the length and properly secured against shifting.
Pallet Capacity
In a single tier: 11 Euro pallets or 9 industrial pallets (1,200 × 1,000 mm).
- 7 crosswise, 800 mm length
- 4 lengthwise, 1,200 mm length
- floor 5 898 × 2 350 mm
Standard Euro pallets (1,200 × 800 mm) are positioned seven crosswise in one row and four lengthwise adjacent to them. Three pallets cannot fit across the width, as they require 2,400 mm while the internal width is 2,350 mm.
This layout is for reference. Cargo overhang, corner protectors, strapping, and requirements for clearance between packages may alter the plan. A second tier doubles capacity only if two loaded pallets meet the door height clearance and the floor load capacity permits. If you have more than 11 pallets and double stacking is not possible, check out the 40-foot container dimensions.
20ft, 20HC, or 40ft
The choice depends on cargo density—the ratio of kilograms per cubic meter.
20HC
Cargo over 2.28 m high that fits within a length of 5.9 m. Volume: 37.4–38.4 m³; width is identical to a standard container.
40ft
Volumetric cargo such as furniture, insulation materials, and e-commerce goods. Approximately 67 m³ and 23–25 Euro pallets. See details on the 40ft container page.
If cargo is shipped only domestically within Russia and does not go to a port, a container may not be necessary. Compare with curtainsider (Euro truck) dimensions and payload capacity.
Pre-Loading Checklist
Catalogs list nominal types, but cargo is loaded into a specific physical container. Before calculating freight, we verify the following with you and the shipping line:
- Package dimensions — in millimeters for each piece, including the total package and pallet count.
- Door clearance — the tallest item must be verified against the door opening, not the internal ceiling height.
- CSC plate — a photo of the plate on the right door displaying gross weight, tare, and inspection date.
- Route specifications — road leg gross weight limits and ensuring the road train height does not exceed 4 m.
Separately, check the container condition grade with the carrier. A Grade 3 container is classified for storage and may not withstand standard payload limits, even though it appears indistinguishable from a seaworthy unit from the outside.
Case Study: 297 Tons of Chickpeas in 11 Twenty-Foot Containers
We shipped chickpeas from Novorossiysk to Haifa in 11 food-grade containers, loaded at exactly 27 t per unit.
The chickpeas were transported in bulk using sealed liner bags. The bulk cargo settled evenly across the container floor, keeping the trucks within legal axle load limits. Prior to loading, each container was inspected for odors, chemical residues, and traces of previous shipments.
One week before the cargo cut-off, the shipping line rescheduled the vessel port call window. Because the loaded containers were staged at our Novorossiysk terminal rather than the port, the client incurred no demurrage or storage charges. All 11 containers departed in a single shipment according to the updated schedule. Read more in our case study on export shipping via the Port of Novorossiysk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an empty 20-foot container weigh?
A standard 20DC weighs 2,145–2,370 kg, while a high cube 20HC weighs 2,320–2,560 kg. The exact tare weight is indicated on the CSC plate on the container door.
How many tons can be loaded into a 20-foot container?
According to the CSC plate, between 21.6 and 28.3 t, depending on the series. On the road, the limit is lower because total vehicle weight with the container cannot exceed 40 or 44 t, depending on axle count. We calculate payload based on the specific delivery route.
What is the cubic capacity of a 20-foot container?
33–33.2 m³ in a standard container and 37.4–38.4 m³ in a High Cube. The full volume cannot be utilized completely, as some space is needed for cargo securing and lashing.
Can pallets be stacked in two tiers?
Yes, provided that both pallets with cargo clear the door opening. A 20DC has a door height of 2,280 mm, so each loaded pallet must not exceed approximately 1.1 m, leaving clearance for forklift handling. Bottom pallets must be sturdy enough to bear the upper weight; otherwise, double stacking is not permitted.
Why is it called 20-foot if its length is 6,058 mm?
20 feet equals 6,096 mm nominally. The actual length is 38 mm shorter so that two 20-foot containers with a 76 mm gap between them take up the exact footprint of a 40-foot container measuring 12,192 mm.
What is a TEU?
TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) is a standard unit of container measurement. A 20-foot container equals 1 TEU, and a 40-foot container equals 2 TEU. Port throughput and vessel capacities are measured in TEU.
Nearby in reference guide
40-foot container
- Interior
- 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m
- Volume
- 67–68 m³
- Euro-pallets
- 23–25
- Euro-pallet
- 1,200 × 800 mm
- Finnish
- 1,200 × 1,000 mm
- In 20 ft
- 11 and 9
Read in blog
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