Which container: 20', 40', 40' HC or reefer?
Dry ingredients are usually weight-limited, not space-limited. That decides more than the price list does.
In short. Choosing a container for dry ingredients, oils and temperature-sensitive products: dimensions, approximate payloads, weight versus volume limits, liners and desiccants, and reefer settings.
| Container | Internal volume (approx.) | Max payload (approx.) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' standard | 33 m³ | 21–28 t depending on carrier and road limits | Dense products: rice, sugar, starch, salt, spices in bulk bags |
| 40' standard | 67 m³ | 26–28 t | Lighter or bulkier packaged goods |
| 40' high cube | 76 m³ | 26–28 t | Palletised cartons, low-density powders, packaging |
| 20' / 40' reefer | 28 / 59 m³ | Slightly less than dry | Chilled or frozen: dairy, meat, fruit, some oils and extracts |
| Flexitank in 20' | up to ~24,000 L | ~24 t | Non-hazardous liquids: oils, juices, syrups |
Figures vary by carrier, container and route; road weight limits at destination often bind before the container does. Confirm with your forwarder.
Weight or volume?
A 20' of rice reaches its weight limit long before it is full; a 40' HC of packaged tea reaches its volume limit long before it is heavy. Compute both: total gross weight against payload, and total pallet or carton volume against internal volume, and remember that road limits in Japan, Korea and the EU can cap a 20' below its rated payload.
Protecting the cargo
- Container liners or kraft paper for bulk powders and grains.
- Desiccants against condensation on lanes with large temperature swings.
- Pallet configuration: 9–10 standard pallets in a 20', 20–21 in a 40'; check the supplier's carton dimensions.
- Reefer: set temperature, ventilation and humidity on the booking; check the pre-trip inspection.
- Food-grade containers: inspect for odour, previous cargo residue and holes before loading.
Pacifica records container numbers, type and seal per shipment, links them to carrier tracking and free time, and files the packing list and loading photos under the order.
Questions
How many tonnes fit in a 20' container?
Rated payload is often 28 t, but many routes and destination roads limit a 20' to 20–24 t. Confirm with your forwarder for the lane.
Do I need a reefer for edible oil?
Usually not for stable oils in drums or flexitanks; some oils and extracts need temperature control. Follow the supplier's storage specification.
Standard or high cube 40'?
High cube if you are volume-limited (light, bulky cargo); it costs little more and carries about 13% more volume.
Related
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