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The most commonly used container types in international sea freight are 20DC, 40DC, and 40HC. A 20DC (20-foot dry container) has a volume of 25.5 m³ and a maximum load capacity of 21,770 kg. It is ideal for small to medium-sized shipments.
A 40DC (40-foot dry container) has a volume of 67.7 m³ — about 2.6 times the capacity of a 20DC. Its maximum load weight is 26,750 kg. A 40HC (40-foot high cube) is 30 cm taller than a standard 40DC and offers 76.3 m³ of volume. It is preferred for light but bulky products.
Both volume and weight limits should be considered when selecting a container. Even if the volume is sufficient, exceeding the weight limit requires moving up to a larger container type or using multiple containers.
CBM (Cubic Meter) is the standard unit used to express a shipment's volume in international freight. The CBM value of a cargo item is calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height in centimeters and dividing by 1,000,000. If there are multiple units, the result is multiplied by the quantity.
The total CBM value is the basic measure for determining whether cargo will fit in a container and which container type is suitable. For example, a box measuring 100 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm equals 0.3 CBM. Fifty such boxes total 15 CBM, which fits in a 20DC container.
The importics container calculator lets you enter all your cargo items, calculate total CBM and weight, and automatically find the optimal container type. You can use it for free.
LCL (Less than Container Load) means shipments that cannot fill a container on their own are loaded into the same container together with other importers' cargo. LCL is generally preferred for shipments under 15 CBM, and is priced per CBM.
FCL (Full Container Load) means the shipment fills a container on its own. FCL is generally more economical for shipments over 15 CBM. A fixed fee is paid per container and your cargo is not mixed with other goods.
FCL is also advantageous in terms of transit time. LCL shipments add consolidation and deconsolidation time. However, for low-volume shipments, LCL provides significant cost savings. The right decision requires comparing total CBM and cost.
CBM (Cubic Meter) refers to the volume of a shipment in cubic meters. It is calculated with the formula Length x Width x Height (cm) / 1,000,000.
A 20DC (20-foot dry container) has a volume of 25.5 m³, while a 40HC (40-foot high cube) has a volume of 76.3 m³. A 40HC is 30 cm taller than a standard 40DC.
LCL (Less than Container Load) is partial loading, while FCL (Full Container Load) is a full container shipment. LCL is generally preferred below 15 CBM, and FCL above it.
The maximum is 21,770 kg for 20DC, 26,750 kg for 40DC, and 26,460 kg for 40HC. The weight limit cannot be exceeded even if there is enough volume.
importics handles all of this automatically for every shipment — HS code classification, tax and landed cost calculation — from proforma to customs clearance in a single dashboard.
Create a free account