09 63 444 63
Shipping containers come in two main lengths, 20ft and 40ft, and several types: general purpose (dry), high cube, open top, refrigerated (reefer) and flat rack. Knowing the inside measurements, door size and weight limit helps you plan how much stock fits, how it will be packed, and how it will be unloaded when it arrives in New Zealand.
| Container | Internal (L × W × H) | Volume | Max payload* | Pallets** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft general purpose | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 33 m³ | ~28,000 kg | 10–11 |
| 40ft general purpose | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 67 m³ | ~26,700 kg | 20–24 |
| 40ft high cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | 76 m³ | ~26,500 kg | 20–24 |
| 20ft reefer | 5.44 × 2.29 × 2.27 m | 28 m³ | ~27,400 kg | 9–10 |
| 40ft high cube reefer | 11.58 × 2.29 × 2.50 m | 67 m³ | ~29,000 kg | 20–23 |
*Indicative. Weights and dimensions vary by manufacturer and shipping line; always check the CSC plate on the container door. Road weight limits in NZ may be lower than the container’s maximum. **Single-stacked on the floor, depending on pallet size (see below).
The 20ft container is the most common size for imports into New Zealand. It suits heavy, dense cargo such as tiles, hardware, beverages and machinery, where you reach the weight limit before you fill the space.
| General purpose | High cube | Open top | Reefer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.90 m | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | 5.89 × 2.35 × 2.35 m | 5.44 × 2.29 × 2.27 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.29 × 2.26 m |
| Volume | 33 m³ | 37 m³ | 32 m³ | 28 m³ |
| Tare (empty) weight | ~2,200 kg | ~2,400 kg | ~2,300 kg | ~3,000 kg |
| Max payload | ~28,000 kg | ~28,000 kg | ~28,000 kg | ~27,400 kg |
A 40ft container gives you twice the floor length of a 20ft. It is the usual choice for lighter, bulkier goods such as furniture, homewares, packaging and ecommerce stock. The 40ft high cube adds about 30 cm of height, which is useful for tall or stacked cartons.
| General purpose | High cube | Open top | Reefer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m (HC) |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.35 m | 11.58 × 2.29 × 2.50 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.29 × 2.57 m |
| Volume | 67 m³ | 76 m³ | 66 m³ | 67 m³ |
| Tare (empty) weight | ~3,750 kg | ~3,900 kg | ~3,850 kg | ~4,600 kg |
| Max payload | ~26,700 kg | ~26,500 kg | ~26,600 kg | ~29,000 kg |
The 40ft reefer figures are for the common high cube reefer.
Flat racks have a floor and end walls but no sides or roof, so they can be loaded from the top or sides by crane or forklift. They are used for machinery, vehicles, boats, timber, steel and other out-of-gauge cargo that will not fit through a container door. Because cargo can overhang, flat racks are measured by floor size and payload rather than volume.
| 20ft flat rack | 40ft flat rack | |
|---|---|---|
| Internal floor (L × W) | 5.62 × 2.24 m | 11.66 × 2.24 m |
| Height to top of end walls | 2.23 m | 1.95 m |
| Tare (empty) weight | ~2,750 kg | ~5,000 kg |
| Max payload | ~31,000 kg | ~40,000 kg |
Open top containers are similar to general purpose containers but have a removable tarpaulin roof, so tall items can be loaded by crane from above.
Pallet capacity depends on the pallet size and whether the stock can be double-stacked. These are typical figures for single-stacked pallets on the container floor:
| Pallet size | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|---|---|
| NZ/AU standard (1165 × 1165 mm) | 10 | 20 |
| Industrial (1200 × 1000 mm) | 10 | 21 |
| Euro (1200 × 800 mm) | 11 | 24 |
Many imports arrive loose (floor-loaded cartons) rather than on pallets, because it fits more stock into the container. Loose cartons need to be hand-unloaded and palletised when the container arrives, which is what devanning is.
Your freight forwarder or shipping line will confirm what is available on your route. If you are not sure, call us and we can help you plan the receiving end.
RPC Logistics devans (unpacks) 20ft and 40ft containers in Auckland and Christchurch. We can collect the container from the port, unload and count your stock, palletise loose cartons and return the empty container.
Your stock can then go straight into 3PL warehousing, or out to your customers and retail DCs with our own trucks.
Can’t see your question? Call 09 63 444 63 or send us your details.
A standard 20ft general purpose container is about 6.06 m long, 2.44 m wide and 2.59 m high on the outside. Inside it is about 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m, with a volume of around 33 m³ and a door opening of about 2.34 × 2.28 m.
A standard 40ft container is about 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m outside and 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m inside, with around 67 m³ of space. A 40ft high cube is 30 cm taller, at about 2.69 m internal height and 76 m³.
A high cube has the same length and width but is about 30 cm taller (2.90 m external height instead of 2.59 m). That adds roughly 9 m³ of space in a 40ft, which suits light, bulky goods.
Single-stacked, a 20ft container fits about 10 NZ/AU standard pallets (1165 × 1165 mm) and a 40ft fits about 20. With 1200 × 1000 mm pallets it is about 10 and 21, and with Euro pallets about 11 and 24.
A 20ft general purpose container can usually carry around 28,000 kg of cargo, but this varies by container and shipping line. NZ road weight limits can be lower, so tell your transport provider the gross weight before booking.
Flat racks have no sides or roof, so they carry machinery, vehicles, boats, timber, steel and other oversized cargo that cannot go through a container door. They are loaded from the top or sides by crane or forklift.
Yes. We devan 20ft and 40ft containers in Auckland and Christchurch, including loose floor-loaded cartons. We can store the stock in our warehouse or deliver it to your customers. Call 09 63 444 63 or request a quote.
