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40ft Moving Container Dimensions
Dimensions, Costs, and High Cube Alternative
If you are planning to move abroad, you might be interested in knowing that a 40ft moving container is one of the most common options. Here you can read everything you need to know about its dimensions, capacity, and shipping costs.
What can you find here?
40ft Moving Container Dimensions
The standard external size of a 40ft moving container is 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m (L × W × H).
These are the 40ft container dimensions metric as used globally for shipping. The 40ft shipping container dimensions are standardized to fit most international cargo requirements.
Below, you can find out the standard 40ft container dimensions both in meters and in feet.
| Measurement | Size (m / ft) |
| Length | 12.19 m / 40 ft |
| Width | 2.44 m / 8 ft |
| Height | 2.59 m / 8 ft 6 in |
40ft Shipping Container: Internal Volume and Loading Capacity
A standard 40ft container offers around 67–76 CBM (cubic meters) of internal space. This is the usable volume for storing or shipping cargo.
| Container Type | Internal Volume | What You Can Fit |
| 40ft Standard | ~67.7 m³ | Large 3–4 bedroom home, ~2,400 boxes, 20–24 pallets |
| 40ft High Cube (HC) | ~76.4 m³ | Taller items, commercial stock, 60–65 m³ usable |
40ft Container Weight
Understanding the 40ft container weight is essential when planning your move. A standard 40ft container has a tare weight of approximately 3,800 kg, while the 40ft container weight in kg when fully loaded is, on average, 30,480 kg.
This equals about 3.8 tons empty and 30.48 tons when fully loaded, giving you a clear idea of the 40ft container weight.
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40ft High Cube Container
A 40ft high cube container is a taller version of the standard 40ft container. It offers additional vertical space, typically measuring 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in) in height, which makes it ideal for transporting bulky, oversized, or high-stacked cargo.
40ft Standard vs 40ft High Cube
| Measurement | Standard (m) | High Cube (m) |
| External Height | 2.59 m | 2.89 m |
| Internal Height | 2.39 m | 2.69 m |
| Internal Volume | 67.7 m³ | 76.4 m³ |
What Can I Fit in a 40ft Container?
A 40ft shipping container offers around 67–76 m³ of usable space (depending on whether it’s standard or high cube), making it ideal for:
- Large household moves: Entire contents of a 3–5 bedroom home, including beds, sofas, wardrobes, dining sets, outdoor furniture, and even gym equipment.
- Boxes and personal items: Around 2,400–2,500 medium boxes, along with bikes, tools, and storage items.
- Vehicles: 2 standard cars, or 1 car with multiple motorcycles or scooters.
Commercial shipments: Bulk goods such as electronics, clothing, or stock requiring high-volume capacity. - Mixed-use relocations: Ideal for long-term moves that combine household items with office furniture or machinery.
Are you now wondering if storing your items will require a 40ft container? You can use our free volume calculator below to estimate your volume.
How to Ship a Car in a 40ft Container
A car can fit in a shipping container; in fact, a 40ft container is commonly used to transport 1 to 2 cars, depending on their size. If you’re wondering how many cars fit in a shipping container, the answer is:
- 1 car + household goods comfortably.
- Or 2 standard-sized cars placed bumper to bumper.
- For SUVs or large vehicles, only one will fit safely.
Wondering how to ship a car overseas? It typically involves placing the car inside a secured container, either alone or alongside household items, then sealing and loading it onto a cargo vessel.
So, how much does it cost to ship a car in a 40ft container?
The average cost to ship a car internationally in a container ranges from S$3,000 to S$6,500.
Pro and Cons of a 40ft Container
Pros
More space for large moves
Better value per cubic meter
Can hold vehicles and personal belongings
Reduces the risk of running out of space
Cons
Higher total cost
Requires more space for loading/unloading
Inefficient if not fully packed
40ft Shipping Container Costs
The cost to ship a 40ft container overseas typically ranges between S$5,000 and S$15,000, depending on your destination, services included, and volume of the move.
Factors that Influence the Cost
The 40ft container prices can vary based on many factors such as:
- Whether your relocation includes or not door-to-door or port-to-port service.
- The distance of your move and the shipping route.
- The chosen timing: summer months and weekends are more expensive.
- Whether packing, loading, and customs services are included.
- Customs, port, and paperwork fees
Popular 40ft Container Routes from Singapore
Here is a quick breakdown of the cost to ship a 40ft container to some of the most popular destinations from Singapore:
| Destination | Estimated Cost (SGD) | Transit Time |
| Sydney, Australia | S$7,200 – S$8,600 | 10–14 days |
| London, UK | S$9,800 – S$11,400 | 25–30 days |
| Los Angeles, USA | S$10,200 – S$11,800 | 22–28 days |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | S$7,900 – S$9,200 | 12–16 days |
| Mumbai, India | S$6,300 – S$7,600 | 8–12 days |
Disclaimer: Prices are estimates for new 40ft containers and include only ocean freight. Local charges and customs duties may apply.
Ready to Ship Your 40ft Moving Container?
We hope this article has informed you about the 40ft shipping container. For more guides like this, check out our other articles. Still have questions? Visit our FAQ section.
