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Shipping basics

Shipping container terms explained

Updated September 28, 2026Figures calculated with our 3D loading engine

Short answer

A shipping container, also called an ISO container, intermodal container, conex or, in Canada, a sea can, is a standardized steel box that moves between ships, trains and trucks without unpacking. Codes such as GP (general purpose), HC/HQ (high cube), RF (reefer), OT (open top) and FR (flat rack) describe the type.

Names for a shipping container

  • ISO container: built to the ISO 668 and ISO 1496 standards for size and strength.
  • Intermodal container: emphasizes that it moves between modes (ship, rail, truck) without the cargo being handled.
  • Conex / conex box: originally a US military container program; now a common US name for any shipping container.
  • Sea can: common Canadian term, especially for containers used for storage.
  • Dry van: a standard, non-refrigerated container or trailer.

Container type codes

CodeMeaningGuide
GP / DV / DCGeneral purpose / dry van / dry container: the standard box20ft, 40ft
HC / HQHigh cube: 9′ 6″ tall instead of 8′ 6″40ft high cube
RF / RHReefer / high cube reefer: refrigeratedReefer
OTOpen top: removable tarpaulin roofOpen top
FRFlat rack: no side walls or roofFlat rack
TEU / FEUTwenty / forty-foot equivalent unitTEU

Weight terms

  • Tare: weight of the empty container.
  • Payload: maximum cargo weight.
  • Max gross: tare + payload.
  • VGM: verified gross mass, the declared total weight required before loading on a ship (SOLAS).

See shipping container weight for the figures by container type.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a conex container?

A common US name for a shipping container. The name comes from a US military container program.

What is an intermodal container?

A standardized shipping container that can move between ship, rail and truck without unloading the cargo.

What is an ISO container?

A shipping container built to ISO standards (ISO 668 for dimensions), so it fits ships, cranes, trains and trailers worldwide.

What does HC mean on a container?

High cube: the container is 9′ 6″ tall outside, 1 ft taller than a standard container.

WeightHow much does a shipping container weigh?An empty 20ft shipping container weighs about 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) and a 40ft about 3,750 kg (8,267 lb). Shipping basicsWhat is a TEU? Meaning and TEU calculatorTEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit): a 20ft container is 1 TEU, a 40ft is 2 TEU or 1 FEU. Container sizes40ft high cube shipping container dimensionsA 40ft high cube container is 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m inside (39′ 5.5″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 8′ 10″), 76.0 m³, with a max payload of about 26,500 kg.