ISO 22U1 / 42U1 · Removable roof
Open Top Container Dimensions
An open top container replaces the steel roof with removable bows and a tarpaulin, so cargo can be craned in from above — machinery, glass, timber, steel coils, anything too tall or too awkward for the door.
Floor dimensions match the standard dry box; height to the top rail is a few centimetres lower (about 2.35 m usable) because of the roof bows. The door header swings out, opening the full end of the container for loading.
Weights stay competitive with dry boxes: the 20 ft open top tares at about 2,350 kg with a 28,130 kg payload, and the 40 ft at about 3,850 kg with a 32,500 kg max gross rating and roughly 28,650 kg of payload — more than a standard dry forty, useful for the dense industrial cargo this type attracts.
Because open tops are a small fraction of the fleet, availability is patchier and both purchase prices and freight rates carry a premium. Book them early on routes where project cargo is common, and confirm the tarp and bows travel with the box — replacements are surprisingly expensive.
| 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 | 2.348 m | 7′8″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.280 m | 7′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 2,350 kg | 5,181 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload * | 28,130 kg | 62,016 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 32.5 m³ | 1,148 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 | 2.591 m | 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.032 m | 39′6″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′9″ |
| Height | 2.348 m | 7′8″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.280 m | 7′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 3,850 kg | 8,488 lb |
| Max gross weight | 32,500 kg | 71,650 lb |
| Max payload * | 28,650 kg | 63,162 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 66.4 m³ | 2,345 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 25 EUR pallets | 21 US pallets |
| TEU | 2 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
Roof opening and over-height cargo
The clear roof opening is about 5.49 × 2.23 m on a 20 ft and 11.62 × 2.23 m on a 40 ft unit. Cargo may stand proud of the top rail (an “over-height” shipment) — it then travels under an open tarp, the container cannot be stacked under others, and the slot is priced accordingly.
Note that the roof opening is narrower than the internal width (2.23 m vs 2.35 m): the top side rails overhang slightly. Cargo wider than 2.23 m must angle in through the door end with the header swung out, or move to a flat rack.
Tarp, bows and securing the load
A proper open top travels with a TIR-compatible tilt: a rope or cable threads through welded loops around the tarp edge and is sealed by customs, so the load cannot be touched without breaking the seal. The steel roof bows lift out one by one to clear the opening and drop back in to support the tarp — count them on hand-over, as missing bows are a classic interchange dispute.
Inside, cargo lashes to rings on the bottom side rails and corner posts, typically rated around 1,000–2,000 kg each. Heavy single pieces — coils, castings, machinery — need bedding timbers to spread point loads across the floor, exactly as on a flat rack.
Frequently asked questions
What is an open top container used for?
Cargo that must be loaded by crane from above or that exceeds standard door height: machinery, prefab elements, glass, marble slabs, steel, logs.
What are the roof opening dimensions of an open top container?
About 5.49 × 2.23 m on a 20 ft open top and 11.62 × 2.23 m on a 40 ft. The opening is slightly narrower than the 2.35 m internal width because the top side rails overhang the aperture.
How much weight can an open top container carry?
A 20 ft open top carries about 28,130 kg of payload (2,350 kg tare, 30,480 kg max gross); a 40 ft open top about 28,650 kg (3,850 kg tare, 32,500 kg max gross) — slightly more than the equivalent dry boxes.
How much does an open top container cost?
In 2025–26, used open top containers typically sell for $4,000–7,000 — a clear premium over dry boxes because far fewer are built. Prices vary by market and location, and a complete, undamaged tarp-and-bows set adds real value.
Can an open top container carry taller-than-standard cargo?
Yes — as an over-height shipment with the tarp off or draped over the load. The container then loses its stacking position on the vessel, which increases the freight rate.
Is an open top container waterproof?
With the tarpaulin properly fitted and tensioned, yes — it is rated for sea passage. But it is not as tight as a steel roof, so moisture-sensitive cargo should be wrapped, and over-height loads under an open tarp travel essentially exposed.