Tunnel & open-side variants
Double Door & Side Door Containers
A double door (“tunnel”) container has standard doors at both ends; an open-side container adds full-length bi-fold doors along one wall. Base dimensions match the standard 20 ft or 40 ft high cube box — what changes is access.
Tunnel units shine for self-storage partitioning, vehicle loading and drive-through workflows. Open-siders let a forklift reach any pallet directly, which turns a container into workable warehouse space.
On the 40 ft high cube tunnel, both openings measure the full 2.340 × 2.585 m, and the box keeps the standard HC interior of 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.698 m and 76.4 m³. Tare rises to about 4,150 kg (from 3,900 kg), leaving roughly 28,350 kg of payload at 32,500 kg max gross — a difference few loads will ever notice.
Most double door and open-side units are new-build “one-trip” boxes from Chinese factories rather than retired ocean stock, because carriers themselves rarely order them. That keeps condition high but prices above comparable standard containers, and makes availability lumpy — dealers stock them in batches.
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 6.058 m | 19′11″ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.591 m | 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.898 m | 19′4″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′9″ |
| Height | 2.393 m | 7′10″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.280 m | 7′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 2,450 kg | 5,401 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload * | 28,030 kg | 61,796 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 33.2 m³ | 1,172 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 11 EUR pallets | 10 US pallets |
| TEU | 1 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.192 m | 40′ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.896 m | 9′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.032 m | 39′6″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′9″ |
| Height | 2.698 m | 8′10″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.585 m | 8′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 4,150 kg | 9,149 lb |
| Max gross weight | 32,500 kg | 71,650 lb |
| Max payload * | 28,350 kg | 62,501 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 76.4 m³ | 2,698 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 25 EUR pallets | 21 US pallets |
| TEU | 2 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
What changes against a standard box
The second door frame adds roughly 150–250 kg of tare and slightly reduces payload — a 20 ft tunnel unit tares around 2,450 kg against 2,230 kg standard, carrying about 28,030 kg. Internal length is unchanged; each door opening is the standard 2.34 m wide. On open-side units the side aperture spans nearly the full internal length — about 5.85 m on a 20 ft — at the full 2.28 m door height.
Both variants are conversion favourites: pop-up shops, site offices, workshops — anywhere access matters more than absolute weight capacity.
Check certification before shipping one: many open-side units are built primarily for static use, and their side-wall structure earns a lower stacking rating than a standard box. For storage that is irrelevant; for ocean freight, confirm the CSC plate covers your intended stow.
Which variant for which job
Choose the tunnel when flow matters: vehicles drive through instead of reversing out, self-storage operators wall the middle to rent two units per box, and long items load from whichever end the site allows. Choose the open-side when reach matters: a forklift accesses every pallet position directly through the side, and a shop or bar opens its whole frontage in one gesture.
The two solve different problems and are priced similarly, so let the site layout decide — a box against a wall wants a tunnel, a box facing a yard or street usually wants the open side.
Frequently asked questions
Are double door containers the same size as standard ones?
Yes — external and internal dimensions match the standard 20 ft or 40 ft HC container. Only tare weight rises slightly because of the second door frame.
What are the side opening dimensions of an open-side container?
On a 20 ft open-side unit the bi-fold doors open an aperture of about 5.85 m — nearly the full 5.898 m internal length — at the full 2.28 m door height. A forklift can reach any pallet position directly.
What are the dimensions of a 40 ft double door container?
A 40 ft HC double door matches the standard high cube: 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 m externally, 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.698 m inside, 76.4 m³, with a 2.340 × 2.585 m opening at each end. Tare is about 4,150 kg, payload roughly 28,350 kg.
How much does a double door container cost?
In 2025–26, double door and open-side containers typically sell for $3,500–6,000 used or one-trip — above standard boxes, because most are purpose-built in small batches rather than retired ocean stock. Prices vary by market and location.
How much more does a double door container weigh?
The second door frame adds roughly 150–250 kg of tare: a 20 ft tunnel unit weighs about 2,450 kg empty versus 2,230 kg standard, and a 40 ft HC version about 4,150 kg versus 3,900 kg. Payload drops by the same amount.
What is a side opening container called?
Usually “open-side” or “full side access” container. It has bi-fold doors running the length of one wall in addition to the normal end doors.