Tare · Payload · Max gross · VGM
Shipping Container Weight
Three numbers define container weight, all stamped on the door: tare (the empty box), max gross (box + cargo ceiling) and payload (their difference). A typical 20 ft dry container tares at ~2,230 kg, a 40 ft at ~3,740 kg, a 40 ft high cube at ~3,900 kg.
Max gross for most modern boxes is 30,480 kg (32,500 kg for many high cubes and newer twenties). The paradox worth remembering: a 20 ft and a 40 ft container carry almost the same maximum cargo weight — the forty just wraps it in twice the volume.
Weight by container size
Tare varies by manufacturer, steel grade and year — treat these as typical values and read the CSC plate of the specific unit for exact figures.
| 20 ft container | 40 ft container | 40 ft high cube container | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO type code | 22G1 | 42G1 | 45G1 |
| External dimensions — Length | 6.058 m19′11″ | 12.192 m40′ | 12.192 m40′ |
| External dimensions — Width | 2.438 m8′ | 2.438 m8′ | 2.438 m8′ |
| External dimensions — Height | 2.591 m8′6″ | 2.591 m8′6″ | 2.896 m9′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Length | 5.898 m19′4″ | 12.032 m39′6″ | 12.032 m39′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Width | 2.352 m7′9″ | 2.352 m7′9″ | 2.352 m7′9″ |
| Internal dimensions — Height | 2.393 m7′10″ | 2.393 m7′10″ | 2.698 m8′10″ |
| Tare weight | 2,230 kg4,916 lb | 3,740 kg8,245 lb | 3,900 kg8,598 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg67,197 lb | 30,480 kg67,197 lb | 32,500 kg71,650 lb |
| Max payload | 28,250 kg62,281 lb | 26,740 kg58,952 lb | 28,600 kg63,052 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 33.2 m³1,172 ft³ | 67.7 m³2,391 ft³ | 76.4 m³2,698 ft³ |
| EUR pallets | 11 | 25 | 25 |
| TEU | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Tare weight by container type
Special types weigh more empty — refrigeration machinery, heavier frames and thicker floors all add steel:
| Container | Tare |
|---|---|
| 20 ft dry (GP) | 2,230 kg |
| 40 ft dry (GP) | 3,740 kg |
| 40 ft high cube | 3,900 kg |
| 20 ft reefer | 3,080 kg |
| 40 ft HC reefer | 4,480 kg |
| 20 ft open top | 2,350 kg |
| 40 ft flat rack | 5,480 kg |
VGM: the verified gross mass rule
Since SOLAS 2016, every export container needs a Verified Gross Mass declared before loading: weigh the packed box, or weigh the cargo and add tare. No VGM, no vessel — terminals will not load an unverified container.
Road limits are stricter than container limits
A container legal at sea can be illegal on the highway. Typical over-the-road ceilings for the whole vehicle (truck + chassis + box + cargo) mean practical payloads of roughly 19–21 t in the EU and 17–19 t in the US, well below the 28 t a 20 ft box is structurally rated for. Check the destination country’s rules before maxing out a container.
What happens if a container is overweight
Without a VGM, the terminal simply refuses the box — it does not board, and every day it waits accrues storage. On the road, an overweight container triggers axle-limit fines that land on the carrier and cascade back to the shipper, plus a stopped truck until the load is fixed. Repacking an overweight container — unstuffing, splitting, re-stuffing, re-clearing — routinely costs more than the original freight. And a deliberately mis-declared weight carries legal liability: SOLAS puts the VGM obligation on the shipper by name.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an empty 20 ft container weigh?
About 2,230 kg (4,916 lb); depending on manufacturer and year, anywhere between roughly 1,900 and 2,400 kg.
How much does an empty 40 ft container weigh?
About 3,740 kg (8,245 lb) for standard height and 3,900 kg (8,598 lb) for the high cube.
What is the maximum weight a container can hold?
Structurally, up to ~28,250 kg in a 20 ft and ~28,600 kg in a 40 ft HC (at 30,480–32,500 kg max gross). Road weight limits usually cap practical loads at 19–21 tonnes.
What is tare weight?
The weight of the empty container itself, painted on the doors and listed on the CSC plate. Subtract it from max gross to get payload.
How is VGM measured?
Two SOLAS-approved methods. Method 1: weigh the packed, sealed container on a certified weighbridge (truck plus box, minus the truck). Method 2: weigh every cargo item, add packing materials and dunnage, add the container’s tare — the sum is the VGM.