# Double Door & Side Door Containers

Source: https://contsize.com/double-door-container/ · CC BY 4.0 · checked 2026-10-19

A double door (tunnel) container has the outside of a standard box, 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m (19′10½″ × 8′ × 8′6″) for a 20 ft, per ISO 668, and a second set of doors in the far end, each opening 2.340 m (7′8″) wide, per all 2 sheets. The second door frame takes inside length: a 20 ft is 5.844 m (19′2″) long inside against 5.898 m in a standard box, as both makers’ sheets we read print it (Triton and Sea Box); for the 40 ft high cube Triton prints 11.978 m and Sea Box 12.033 m, a standard high cube’s length. Both plate the 40 ft HC tunnel at 30,480 kg gross rather than 32,500 kg, which trims its [payload](https://contsize.com/glossary/payload/) to 26,430–26,730 kg; an open-side container, with bi-fold doors down one long wall, has a [page of its own](https://contsize.com/open-side-container/).

*20 ft double door container: dimensions and weight*

|  | Metric | Imperial |
| --- | --- | --- |
| External dimensions | **6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m** | 19′10½″ × 8′ × 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | **5.844 × 2.352 × 2.393 m** | 19′2″ × 7′8½″ × 7′10″ |
| Door opening | **2.340 × 2.280 m** | 7′8″ × 7′6″ |
| Capacity (volume) | **32.9 m³** | 1,162 ft³ |
| Tare weight | **2,200 kg** | 4,850 lb |
| Max payload | **28,280 kg** | 62,347 lb |

[Types of shipping containers](https://contsize.com/types-of-shipping-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.

![Drawing of a Double door container: a dry box with door sets at both ends and an arrow running through it.](https://contsize.com/figures/double-door-container-isometric-drawing-en.png)

**The numbers in this chart**

*Double door container: what it looks like*

| Figure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Outside, L × W × H | 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m |
| Volume | 32.9 m³ |
| Payload | 28,280 kg |

Checked 19 October 2026: outside sizes set by ISO 668, read in IS 6566:2001, GOST R 51876-2008 and GOST R 53350-2009; every other figure against 2 published sheets of 2 lessors and makers. A sheet agrees within ±5 mm, or ±2 % for a mass and ±1 % for a volume; a maximum gross is a rating and must be the same. [Every figure and its sources](https://contsize.com/container-data-sources/#c-20ft-double-door)

*Double door container: what it looks like*

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 2.340 × 2.585 m, and inside the box is 2.352 m wide and 2.698 m high. Its inside length is 11.978 m on Triton’s sheet, 54 mm shorter than a standard high cube, and 12.033 m on Sea Box’s. [Tare](https://contsize.com/glossary/tare-weight/) is 3,750–4,050 kg on the two sheets, and both plate it at 30,480 kg [max gross](https://contsize.com/glossary/max-gross/), which leaves 26,430–26,730 kg of payload — about 1,900–2,200 kg less than a standard high cube carries, which matters only for dense loads.

Most double door and open-side units are new-build “[one-trip](https://contsize.com/glossary/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.

![Bar chart of maximum payload for double door, reefer, open top, flat rack and tank containers beside a dry 40 ft high cube.](https://contsize.com/figures/special-container-types-payload-en.png)

**The numbers in this chart**

*Payload of the special container types against a dry high cube*

| Container | kg | lb |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [40 ft high cube container](https://contsize.com/40-ft-high-cube-container/) | 28,670 | 63,207 |
| 40 ft HC double door container | 26,730 | 58,930 |
| [40 ft high cube reefer](https://contsize.com/reefer-container/) | 29,380 | 64,772 |
| [40 ft open top](https://contsize.com/open-top-container/) | 26,630 | 58,709 |
| [40 ft flat rack](https://contsize.com/flat-rack-container/) | 40,000 | 88,185 |
| [20 ft flat rack](https://contsize.com/flat-rack-container/) | 31,060 | 68,476 |
| [20 ft tank container](https://contsize.com/tank-container/) | 32,360 | 71,342 |

Checked 19 October 2026: the figures in this chart against 44 of 88 published sheets from 20 lines, lessors and makers: those that print these figures. A sheet agrees within ±5 mm, or ±2 % for a mass and ±1 % for a volume; a maximum gross is a rating and must be the same. [Every figure and its sources](https://contsize.com/container-data-sources/)

*Payload of the special container types against a dry high cube*

## Double door container: dimensions and weight

*20 ft double door container22G1*

|  | Metric | Imperial |
| --- | --- | --- |
| External dimensions |  |  |
| Length | 6.058 m | 19′10½″ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.591 m | 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions |  |  |
| Length | 5.844 m | 19′2″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′8½″ |
| Height | 2.393 m | 7′10″ |
| Door opening |  |  |
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.280 m | 7′6″ |
| Specification |  |  |
| Tare weight | 2,200 kg | 4,850 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload | 28,280 kg | 62,347 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 32.9 m³ | 1,162 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier, counted on the floor) | 11 EUR · 10 US |  |
| TEU | 1 |  |

Checked 19 October 2026: outside sizes set by ISO 668, read in IS 6566:2001, GOST R 51876-2008 and GOST R 53350-2009; every other figure against 2 published sheets of 2 lessors and makers. A sheet agrees within ±5 mm, or ±2 % for a mass and ±1 % for a volume; a maximum gross is a rating and must be the same. [Every figure and its sources](https://contsize.com/container-data-sources/#c-20ft-double-door)

Data: [ISO 668 (1995 text, read in IS 6566:2001)](https://contsize.com/citations/#iso-668) · Sea Box, Triton

*40 ft HC double door container45G1*

|  | Metric | Imperial |
| --- | --- | --- |
| External dimensions |  |  |
| Length | 12.192 m | 40′ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.896 m | 9′6″ |
| Internal dimensions |  |  |
| Length | 11.978 m | 39′3½″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′8½″ |
| Height | 2.698 m | 8′10″ |
| Door opening |  |  |
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.585 m | 8′6″ |
| Specification |  |  |
| Tare weight | 3,750 kg | 8,267 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload | 26,730 kg | 58,930 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 76.1 m³ | 2,687 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier, counted on the floor) | 24 EUR · 21 US |  |
| TEU | 2 |  |

Checked 19 October 2026: outside sizes set by ISO 668, read in IS 6566:2001, GOST R 51876-2008 and GOST R 53350-2009; every other figure against 2 published sheets of 2 lessors and makers. A sheet agrees within ±5 mm, or ±2 % for a mass and ±1 % for a volume; a maximum gross is a rating and must be the same. [Every figure and its sources](https://contsize.com/container-data-sources/#c-40hc-double-door)

Data: [ISO 668 (1995 text, read in IS 6566:2001)](https://contsize.com/citations/#iso-668) · Sea Box, Triton

## What changes against a standard box

The second door frame costs inside length rather than weight — a 20 ft tunnel unit is 5.844 m long inside against 5.898 m standard, tares 2,200–2,277 kg on the two makers’ sheets and carries 28,203–28,280 kg. Each door opening is the standard 2.340 m wide. On open-side units the side opening is 5.702 × 2.189 m (18′8½″ × 7′2″) on Bullbox’s sheet and 5.834 × 2.162 m (19′1½″ × 7′1″) on Sea Box’s.

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](https://contsize.com/glossary/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?**

Outside yes — 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m (19′10½″ × 8′ × 8′6″) for a 20 ft, per ISO 668 — and inside a 20 ft is 54 mm shorter, 5.844 m (19′2″) against 5.898 m (19′4″), per all 2 sheets. For a 40 ft HC, Triton’s sheet gives 11.978 m inside against 12.032 m standard and Sea Box’s 12.033 m; width and height match the standard container.

**What are the side opening dimensions of an open-side container?**

On a 20 ft open-side unit the bi-fold doors open 5.702 × 2.189 m (18′8½″ × 7′2″) on Bullbox’s sheet and 5.834 × 2.162 m (19′1½″ × 7′1″) on Sea Box’s, nearly the full 5.898 m internal length. 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 measures 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 m (40′ × 8′ × 9′6″) outside, like a standard high cube, per ISO 668, and 2.352 m (7′8½″) wide by 2.698 m (8′10″) high inside with a 2.340 × 2.585 m (7′8″ × 8′6″) opening at each end, per all 2 sheets. Its inside length is 11.978 m on Triton’s sheet and 12.033 m on Sea Box’s; tare is 3,750–4,050 kg and payload 26,430–26,730 kg at 30,480 kg max gross.

**How much does a double door container cost?**

In October 2026, the middle of the US dealer and marketplace listings we read puts a new (one-trip) 20 ft double door container at $3,400–4,800 and a 40 ft high cube one at about $5,000; a new 20 ft with a full open side is $5,500–7,500. That is above a standard one-trip 20 ft at $2,800–4,400, 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?**

Little or nothing: the two makers’ sheets we read give 2,200–2,277 kg for an empty 20 ft tunnel unit against about 2,230 kg for a standard 20 ft (its published sheets range 2,080–2,570 kg), and 3,750–4,050 kg for a 40 ft HC against 3,830 kg. What changes is the rating: both plate the 40 ft HC tunnel at 30,480 kg gross, so it carries 26,430–26,730 kg against 28,670 kg in a standard high cube.

**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.

## Related pages

- [20 ft container6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m · 33.2 m³](https://contsize.com/20-ft-container/)
- [40 ft high cube container12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 m · 76.4 m³](https://contsize.com/40-ft-high-cube-container/)
- [High cube containerISO 45G1 · L5G1](https://contsize.com/high-cube-container/)
- [Container size chart (all 17)17 containers · Metric and imperial · Prints on one sheet](https://contsize.com/shipping-container-dimensions-chart/)
- [Conex box & container namesCONEX = Container Express · since 1952](https://contsize.com/conex-box/)
- [Open side containerISO 22G2 · open side](https://contsize.com/open-side-container/)