How much does a shipping container weigh?
An empty 20ft shipping container weighs about 2,200 kg (4,850 lb), a 40ft about 3,750 kg (8,267 lb) and a 40ft high cube about 3,900 kg (8,598 lb). This empty weight is the tare weight. A 20ft can carry about 28,200 kg of cargo and a 40ft about 26,700 kg, but road weight limits are often lower.
Empty container weight (tare)
| Container | Tare (kg) | Tare (lb) | Max cargo (kg) | Max cargo (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10' Standard (10GP) | 1,300 | 2,866 | 8,860 | 19,533 |
| 20' Standard (20GP) | 2,200 | 4,850 | 28,200 | 62,170 |
| 40' Standard (40GP) | 3,750 | 8,267 | 26,700 | 58,863 |
| 40' High Cube (40HQ) | 3,900 | 8,598 | 26,500 | 58,422 |
| 45' High Cube (45HQ) | 4,800 | 10,582 | 27,700 | 61,068 |
| 20' Reefer (20RF) | 3,000 | 6,614 | 27,400 | 60,407 |
| 40' High Cube Reefer (40RH) | 4,480 | 9,877 | 29,000 | 63,934 |
| 20' Open Top (20OT) | 2,450 | 5,401 | 30,050 | 66,249 |
| 40' Open Top (40OT) | 4,050 | 8,929 | 28,450 | 62,722 |
What is tare weight?
Tare weight is the weight of the empty container. It is painted on the container doors together with the other weights, and printed on the CSC safety approval plate:
- Tare: the empty container.
- Payload (net or max cargo weight): the most cargo it may carry.
- Max gross weight: tare + payload, the most the loaded container may weigh.
- Net weight of a shipment: the goods without packaging; gross weight includes packaging and pallets.
More detail: what tare weight means, how much a 20ft container weighs and how much a 40ft container weighs.
Payload, tare and gross weight
| Container | Max payload | Tare (empty) | Max gross | Break-even density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard (20GP) | 28,200 kg | 2,200 kg | 30,400 kg | 851 kg/m³ |
| 40' Standard (40GP) | 26,700 kg | 3,750 kg | 30,450 kg | 395 kg/m³ |
| 40' High Cube (40HQ) | 26,500 kg | 3,900 kg | 30,400 kg | 348 kg/m³ |
| 45' High Cube (45HQ) | 27,700 kg | 4,800 kg | 32,500 kg | 323 kg/m³ |
| 20' Reefer (20RF) | 27,400 kg | 3,000 kg | 30,400 kg | 969 kg/m³ |
| 40' High Cube Reefer (40RH) | 29,000 kg | 4,480 kg | 33,480 kg | 437 kg/m³ |
Typical values. The exact limits are printed on the container door (CSC plate) and vary by container.
Will your cargo “weigh out” or “cube out”?
Divide your total cargo weight by its total volume. If the result is higher than the container's break-even density, you will reach the weight limit before the space is full: the container weighs out. If it is lower, you will run out of space first: it cubes out.
- Tiles, steel, paper, liquids and machinery usually weigh out; a 20ft is often the efficient choice.
- Furniture, textiles, toys and plastics usually cube out; a 40ft or 40HQ is usually cheaper per unit.
Weight distribution
Spread weight evenly along the container floor, keep heavy items low, and avoid concentrating weight at one end. The load calculator stops filling a container when its payload is reached and shows the weight used per container.
VGM
Under the SOLAS rules, the shipper must declare the Verified Gross Mass (VGM), the total weight of cargo, packaging, dunnage and the container, before the container is loaded on the ship.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 20ft shipping container weigh?
About 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) empty, depending on the manufacturer.
How much does a 40ft shipping container weigh?
About 3,750 kg (8,267 lb) empty for a standard 40ft and 3,900 kg (8,598 lb) for a high cube.
What does tare weight mean?
The weight of the empty container (or vehicle, or packaging), without any cargo.
What is the maximum weight for a 20ft container?
About 28,200 kg of cargo, or about 30,400 kg gross including the container.
What is the maximum weight for a 40ft container?
About 26,700 kg of cargo for a 40GP and 26,500 kg for a 40HQ.