First of all, we need to understand common container sizes

The most commonly used containers are 20 feet container, 40 feet container and 40 feet high container.

The container measures 20 feet long by 20 feet (approximately 6.1m), wide by 8 feet (approximately 2.44m), and 8.5 inches (approximately 2.6m) high.

The 40-foot cabinet measures 40 feet (about 12.2 m) long, 8 inches (about 2.44 m) wide, and 8.5 inches (about 2.6 m) high.

Top slab measures 40 feet long by 40 feet (about 12.2 m) long, 8 feet wide (about 2.44 m) and 9.5 inches high (about 2.9 m).

These data above are the outer dimensions of the container. But in the actual loading of the container, we take into account how much volume the container can accommodate, from the inside dimensions of the cabinet to the calculation. The internal dimensions of three different types of containers are as follows.

20 feet of the overall inner length, width and height of the container is 6 meters, 2.35 meters, 2.39 meters, theoretical loading volume 33CBM, the actual volume of goods control in 28CBM or so.

The length, width and interior height of a 40-foot container are 12m, 2.35m and 2.39m respectively, with a theoretical loading volume of 67 cubic meters and an actual load volume of approximately 58 cubic meters.

The inner length, width and height of a 40-foot container are 12m, 2.35m and 2.7m respectively, with a theoretical loading volume of 76 cubic meters and an actual load volume control of approximately 68 cubic meters.

There will be differences between the theoretical loading size and the actual loading size, because the inner container is not an ordinary rectangular body and its edge will be a door post and so on which will affect the loading size.

Remember the inner container data above, as we will use these dimensions later on how to use container space efficiently.

Next, calculate the volume of the cargo and choose the type of locker.

For a better understanding, we present 3 practical examples to talk about choosing cabinets.

Example 1: There are currently 1,300 boxes of completed wall switches awaiting shipment. The dimensions of the outer box are 24cm x 36cm x 24cm and the total weight of the box is 10kg.

It is easy to calculate from the above data that the total volume of the whole cargo is 26.9CBM and the total gross weight is 13 tons. Then we can choose to take the 20ft container. As mentioned earlier, the actual volume of a 20-foot general cargo container can be about 28 cubic meters, so you don’t have to worry about the problem of not being able to fit 26.9 cubic meters, which is very suitable for ordering a 20-foot general cargo (20GP) container directly.

Similarly, if the total volume of your load is exactly in line with the 40-foot (40GP) general container and the 40-foot (40HQ) container, you can book the container directly according to the whole container.

The total load weight limit for a 20-foot (20 GP) General Cargo is 21 tons, a 40-foot (40 GP) General Cargo is 24 tons and a 40-foot (40 HQ) is 28 tons.

Example 2: Same shipment of wall switches, in same packaging, with outer box dimensions 24cm x 36cm x 24cm and total box weight 10kg.

Again, we first calculate the total volume and total weight of the goods,

Total size

24 x 36 x 24 x 3238/1,000,000 = 67CBM

Total weight

tons 10 X 3238/1000 = 32

In terms of volume, we can order a container of 40 feet (40HQ) high, but in terms of weight, it exceeds 40HQ’s weight limit of 28 tons, so we cannot take 40HQ.

Assuming the total volume does not exceed the maximum, we can go to 40HQ, from the volume point of view, 67CBM was very close to the maximum volume of 68CBM, so we need to arrange their packing method on paper in advance, here we need to use the previously mentioned container size .

Let’s see, a container with a height of 40 feet (40GP), inner length, width and height of 12m, 2.35m, 2.7m, single load box size 24cm x 36cm x 24cm, assuming that the goods must be placed, it cannot be reversed.

Let’s look at the first option.

The height of the container is 2.7m, the height of the outer cargo box is 24cm, then the height can be stacked on 11 layers.

The length of the container is 12m, the outer length of the cargo box is 36cm, one side corresponds, and then the row is 33 rows.

Container width 2.35m, outer cargo box width 24cm, one side corresponds, then row 9.

In short, the total arrangement of goods in the first chart is

11 x 33 x 9 = 3267 boxes.

Then look at the second option.

The height of the container is 2.7 meters, the height of the outer box of goods is 24 cm, then the height can be stacked on 11 layers. (It is not reversible, so there is only one way to put in the height)

The length of the container is 12m, the outer length of the cargo box is 24cm, one side corresponds, and then the row is 50 rows.

The width of the container is 2.35m, the width of the outer cargo box is 36cm, one side corresponds, and then 6 rows.

In short, the total arrangement of goods in option 2 is 11 x 50 x 6 = 3,300 boxes.

How to make effective use of container space

From the above two options, we can see that the second choice of packing scheme is better than the first, and the packing efficiency is higher.

However, in practice, pay attention to whether the actual size of the outer box of the goods is different from the production size. This is because after the goods are loaded, the outer box can easily bulge, so that the actual size is slightly larger than the production size, thus affecting the calculated data.

Example 3, the same batch of goods, the packaging remains the same, this time the number of boxes is 2000, the outer box dimensions are 24cm x 36cm x 24cm long, wide and high respectively, the total weight of the outer box is 10kg.

Let’s also calculate the total volume of the goods: 24x36x24x2000/1000000=41CBM.

Obviously, 41CBM is not quite compatible with the volume of the whole container. We can consider the following options.

Option 1: Choose a small container and the rest of the load goes to a bulk collection container.

We can start with a small container at the discretion of 28CBM, and the remaining 13CBM will be transported with other cargoes from the same destination port.

The cost of consolidation is expensive compared to full container shipment, and in the process of loading and unloading, it is easy to cause uncontrollable risks of loss and damage.

Option 2: All take bulk containers.

All bulk cargo can ensure that the goods are a group of cargo, at the same time to the port, to facilitate the inventory of the number of goods and arrange the entire logistics control, but other goods with the same port destination must wait together, not every time there can be a container of goods , Therefore, sometimes the waiting time for the container is longer.

Option 3: If you know the exact size of the outer container in advance, when placing an order, place the order according to the number of full containers.

Many big importers will collect 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ data from suppliers, so that they can place orders according to the number of containers full.

Finally, with the above ideas about what kind of container you should take for different sizes of load, we can choose the freight forwarder and shipping company to book the shipping space.

Now, due to the pandemic, containers are hard to find. In such a situation, in order not to affect the sales plan, friends of importers should inform the supplier of the reservation one month in advance, in the event that the goods are completed, there is no shipping space for a long time, which affects the export transportation.

Through the above case study, I think you must have some ideas about how to calculate a batch of goods from needing to reserve a container type. If you have any problems about the goods, welcome to consult us, we will give you improved shipping suggestions based on your specific data.