Side door (open side) container dimensions
A 20ft side door (open side) container is about 5.90 m long, 2.29–2.34 m wide and 2.29–2.38 m high inside, with doors that open along one long side as well as the normal end doors. It weighs about 2,800–3,300 kg empty. 40ft versions are about 11.9–12.0 m long inside and weigh about 5,000–5,500 kg. Sizes vary more than for standard containers, so check the spec sheet of the unit.
Side door container dimensions
| 20ft open side | 20ft open side high cube | 40ft open side | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside length | 5.90 m (19′ 4″) | 5.90 m | 11.87–12.03 m |
| Inside width | 2.29–2.34 m | about 2.29 m | 2.29–2.34 m |
| Inside height | 2.29–2.38 m | about 2.61 m | 2.29–2.38 m |
| Volume | 31–33 m³ | about 35 m³ | about 64–70 m³ |
| Tare | 2,800–3,200 kg | about 3,300 kg | about 5,200 kg |
| Max payload | 20,800–27,700 kg | about 27,200 kg | about 26,000–30,500 kg |
Compare a standard 20ft: 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m inside, 2,200 kg tare (20ft container dimensions). The side frame and extra doors make open side containers heavier and, depending on the design, slightly narrower or lower inside.
Types of side door containers
- Full open side (“open side” or “OS”): folding doors along the entire long side, so the whole side opens. Best for forklift loading from the side.
- Side door: one or two sets of double doors on the long side rather than the full length. Common in storage and site containers.
- Roll-up door: a storage container with a roller shutter instead of swing doors. Easy access, but usually not for ocean shipping.
What side door containers are used for
- Loading long or wide items and pallets from the side with a forklift, without driving into the container.
- Building materials, machinery and timber that are awkward to push in from the end.
- Pop-up shops, bars, workshops and site stores where the whole side should open.
- Storage where you need access to items along the whole length.
Side door vs open top vs flat rack
If cargo is too tall for the door, an open top container lets a crane load it from above. If it is too wide or heavy, use a flat rack. A side door container solves access, not oversize. For all door sizes see container door dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 20ft side door container?
About 5.90 m long, 2.29–2.34 m wide and 2.29–2.38 m high inside, depending on the manufacturer.
How much does a side opening container weigh?
About 2,800–3,300 kg for a 20ft and about 5,200 kg for a 40ft.
What is an open side container?
A shipping container with doors along one long side, so it can be loaded from the side as well as the end.
Can open side containers be shipped overseas?
Yes, if the unit has a valid CSC plate, but few carriers offer them; many are bought for storage and site use.