How Much Do Shipping Containers Weigh?

When planning for transportation, one critical element is the weight of dry shipping containers. Authorities in many nations require an official weight to be submitted prior to the initiation of shipping operations.

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The overall weight of your shipment can significantly impact fuel consumption during transit. Higher weight translates to greater fuel requirements for transporting goods from one location to another.

To put it simply, an empty 20-foot container typically weighs between 1.8 and 2.2 metric tons (roughly 3,970 to 4,850 pounds), while an empty 40-foot container usually falls in the range of 3.8 to 4.2 tons (8,340 to 9,260 pounds).

Containers classified as high-cube often weigh more; their increased height results in additional metal components.

Moreover, a container's tare weight can fluctuate based on its design and building materials. The tare weight is subject to variations depending on the container type and the contents within.

Tare Weight, Gross Weight, and Payload Weight Explained

The tare weight refers to the weight of a container when it is empty. The terms tare weight and unladen weight are interchangeable, describing a container's weight without any cargo.

This measurement is usually acquired when the container is positioned on a flat surface, such as a weighing scale.

On the other hand, the payload weight is the maximum weight that can be safely added to an empty container. The tare weight is often inscribed on the container doors after manufacturing.

Gross weight encompasses the total weight of the container and all its contents, including the packaging and pallets. This figure is essential for calculating shipping fees.

To derive the weight of the goods, it is standard to subtract the tare weight from the gross weight. However, for comprehensive container weight assessment, this method may lead to inaccuracies due to external factors like fuel weight.

Shipping Container Dimensions & Weight Classifications

Before delving into the intricacies of each container category, below is a table summarizing the weight capacities of dry shipping containers from 20 feet to 45 feet in length:

Container Size

Tare Weight

(lbs)

Maximum Gross Weight (lbs)

Maximum Payload Weight (lbs)

20 ft.

5,071

55,126

50,055

40 ft.

8,554

67,196

58,642

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45 ft.

10,362

71,650

61,288

20ft: An empty 20-foot shipping container weighs around 5,071 lbs, with a maximum gross weight capped at 55,126 lbs. This size has gained popularity for transporting goods due to its versatile dimensions.

40ft: Similarly, the 40-foot container is frequently chosen for shipments, mobile offices, and storage. Its tare weight is 8,554 lbs, while its maximum gross weight is 67,196 lbs, offering a payload capacity of 58,642 lbs.

45ft: The 45-foot high cube container, marked by its 9 ft 6 in exterior height, has a tare weight of 10,362 lbs and a maximum gross weight of 71,650 lbs.

These containers facilitate intermodal transport for general freight, making them optimal for diverse storage needs in industrial, commercial, and agricultural contexts.

Factors Influencing Shipping Container Weight

Cube Height: A primary consideration is cube height; high cube containers (9 ft 6 in) are one inch taller than standard containers (8 ft 6 in), resulting in increased metal use and weight.

Double Doors: Unlike standard containers, which feature doors on a single end, double-door containers have openings on both ends. This additional metal requirement makes them heavier.

Manufacturing Techniques: Older containers tend to weigh more compared to their modern counterparts, as contemporary manufacturing methods allow for robust designs using less metal.

The Importance of Shipping Container Weight

Knowing the weight of shipping containers is pivotal; overloaded or misbalanced containers can lead to dangerous situations, jeopardizing both ships and the shipping process.

This concern prompted the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to mandate that shippers supply a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) prior to cargo loading for export.

These regulations were established following several incidents attributed to overweight containers.

To maintain compliance and avoid penalties, shipping companies must observe SOLAS VGM standards, ensuring accurate container weights and optimized loading processes.

Further Insights

• Ways to Weigh Loaded Containers:

There are various established methods for weighing shipping containers, including:

1. Weighing on a flat surface,
2. Weighing while mounted on a truck (chassis),
3. Using truck scales for vehicles with containers.

• What is the Weight of a 20' Shipping Container

When assessing container weight, three types should be recognized. Tare weight denotes the weight of an empty container, while payload weight indicates the maximum load capacity. The cumulative payload weight and tare weight result in the gross weight.

A 20 ft container typically weighs around 4,914 lbs, with a maximum payload capacity of 47,900 lbs, leading to a gross weight of 52,813 lbs. Its lightweight characteristic renders the 20-foot shipping container a highly favored choice, suitable for transporting smaller loads such as electronics, clothing, and grains.

• What is the Weight of a 40' Shipping Container

A standard 40 ft shipping container usually has a tare weight of about 8,159 lbs and can hold approximately 59,039 lbs as its maximum payload. When fully loaded, it weighs up to 67,199 lbs. The tare weight for a 40 ft high cube container is around 8,747 lbs, allowing a maximum payload of around 58,448 lbs and a gross weight similar to the standard container.

The distinction between a standard and a high cube container largely lies in height, as the former reaches 8.5 feet while the latter extends to 9.5 feet.

• What is Overweight for a 40' Container?

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a fully loaded 40 ft container should not exceed 67,200 lbs. It can be considered overweight based on any of the following conditions:

Gross Weight: This includes the overall weight of the tractor, chassis, container, and cargo exceeding specified limits. Axle Weight: This denotes the weight restrictions on the single axle or axle combinations of the truck. Federal Bridge Formula (FBF): This U.S. guideline outlines the maximum weight permissible concerning the distance between axle sets.

To ensure compliance with transportation standards, it is advisable to weigh containers for optimal payload distribution based on their dimensions. Prior to loading onto a transport vessel for export, the IMO requires shippers to disclose the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the shipping container, ultimately reducing accidents triggered by overweight containers.

Shipping companies must comply with the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) VGM mandates, necessitating accurate weights and load optimization measures.

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