Container

A container (also called a shipping container or intermodal container) is a standardized steel box used to transport goods by ocean vessel, rail, and truck. Containers revolutionized global trade when Malcolm McLean introduced the concept in 1956, replacing the labor-intensive break-bulk loading process with a system where goods are packed into uniform boxes at the origin and not opened again until they reach their destination. Today, approximately 90% of non-bulk international cargo moves in containers.

Standard Container Sizes

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines container dimensions. The two most common sizes are:

20-foot container (TEU): 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, 8 feet 6 inches tall. Internal volume of approximately 1,170 cubic feet. Maximum payload of roughly 28,000 kg (61,700 lbs), though weight limits may be lower depending on road regulations in the destination country. A 20-footer holds approximately 10 standard pallets.

40-foot container (FEU): 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, 8 feet 6 inches tall. Internal volume of approximately 2,390 cubic feet. Maximum payload of roughly 26,500 kg (58,400 lbs). Holds approximately 20 to 22 standard pallets. The 40-footer is the workhorse of the trans-Pacific trade lane, where the majority of consumer goods imports move in this size.

40-foot high cube (40HC): Same length and width as a standard 40-footer but 9 feet 6 inches tall, adding approximately 344 cubic feet of internal space. The high cube is preferred for lightweight, voluminous cargo where cubing out (running out of space) happens before weighing out (reaching the weight limit). Most Amazon FBA product imports from China use 40HC containers.

Specialized Container Types

Reefer containers have built-in refrigeration units that maintain temperatures from -30 C to +30 C. Used for perishable goods: food, pharmaceuticals, and certain chemicals. Reefer containers require electrical connections during transit and at the terminal, adding to their cost.

Open-top containers have a removable roof, allowing oversized cargo to be loaded from above by crane. Used for heavy machinery, marble slabs, and other items that exceed standard height.

Flat rack containers have no side walls or roof, accommodating wide or irregular cargo like construction equipment, boats, or large industrial components.

Tank containers are cylindrical tanks mounted in a standard container frame, used for transporting liquids and gases.

Container Costs and Economics

Purchasing a new 40-foot container costs approximately $3,000 to $5,000, depending on market conditions. Used containers sell for $1,500 to $3,000. However, most importers do not own containers; they use containers provided by the ocean carrier as part of the freight service.

The cost to ship a container varies dramatically by trade lane and market conditions. Trans-Pacific rates (China to U.S. West Coast) for a 40-foot container have ranged from $1,200 during market lows to over $20,000 during the peak of the 2021 supply chain crisis. As of recent market conditions, rates on this lane have typically ranged from $2,000 to $5,000.

Container Condition and Cargo Protection

Before loading, containers should be inspected for structural damage, holes, rust-through, functioning door gaskets, and cleanliness. A container with a small hole in the roof can allow rain or seawater to damage an entire shipment. Containers are graded as cargo-worthy (CW), wind and water tight (WWT), or as-is. Only CW-graded containers should be used for ocean transport.

Inside the container, cargo must be properly secured to prevent shifting during transit. Ocean voyages involve continuous motion, and unsecured pallets can shift, fall, and crush adjacent cartons. Load bars, strapping, airbags (dunnage bags), and proper palletization prevent cargo movement. For FBA sellers, damage from poor container loading results in receiving discrepancies, unsellable inventory, and wasted shipping costs.