How much does a 40ft shipping container weigh?
An empty 40ft shipping container weighs about 3,750 kg (8,267 lb), and a 40ft high cube about 3,900 kg (8,598 lb). A 40ft can carry about 26,700 kg (58,863 lb) of cargo, for a maximum gross weight of about 30,480 kg (67,200 lb), although road limits usually allow less.
40ft container weight at a glance
| 40ft container type | Empty (tare) | Max cargo (payload) | Max gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft standard (40GP) | 3,750 kg / 8,267 lb | 26,700 kg / 58,863 lb | 30,480 kg / 67,200 lb |
| 40ft high cube (40HC / 40HQ) | 3,900 kg / 8,598 lb | 26,500 kg / 58,422 lb | 30,480 kg / 67,200 lb |
| 40ft high cube reefer (40RH) | 4,480 kg / 9,877 lb | 29,000 kg / 63,934 lb | about 34,000 kg |
| 40ft open top (40OT) | 4,050 kg / 8,929 lb | 28,450 kg / 62,722 lb | 32,500 kg / 71,650 lb |
| 40ft flat rack (HC) | 5,900 kg / 13,007 lb | about 49,100 kg | 55,000 kg |
| 45ft high cube (for comparison) | 4,800 kg / 10,582 lb | 27,700 kg | 32,500 kg |
40GP vs 40HC weight
A high cube is 30 cm (1 ft) taller, so it has more steel in the side walls, corner posts and doors. That adds roughly 150–400 kg of tare. Payload is almost the same, because both are usually rated at 30,480 kg gross. See 40HQ vs 40GP for the full comparison.
How much weight can a 40ft container hold?
A 40ft is rated for about 26,700 kg of cargo, about 1,500 kg less than a 20ft, even though it has twice the floor. That is why heavy cargo goes in 20ft containers and light, bulky cargo in 40ft high cubes. On US roads, a 40ft typically carries around 42,000–44,000 lb (19–20 t) of cargo before the 80,000 lb truck limit is reached.
How much does a loaded 40ft container weigh?
Example: a 40HQ with 1,200 cartons of 15 kg is 18,000 kg of cargo + 3,900 kg tare = 21,900 kg (48,281 lb). Spread the weight evenly along the floor; see how to load a container.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an empty 40ft container weigh?
About 3,750 kg (8,267 lb) for a standard 40ft.
How much does a 40ft high cube container weigh?
About 3,900 kg (8,598 lb) empty, typically 3,800–4,200 kg.
What is the max weight of a 40ft container?
About 26,700 kg of cargo and 30,480 kg (67,200 lb) gross.
How much does a 40 foot shipping container weigh in tons?
About 3.8 metric tons (4.1 US tons) empty.