When you’re shipping items internationally, it’s important to know about 20-foot containers. These containers, also called Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), are crucial for moving goods around the globe in a standard size.
Knowing these details can make it easier to plan your shipments better, use the space well, and even cut down on shipping costs. Let’s dive into these points to make your international shipping smoother and more cost-effective.
The Flexibility and Benefits of 20-Foot Shipping Containers
- Compact Yet Spacious: Even though they’re small, 20-foot shipping containers offer a lot of room for storing and moving things. They’re perfect for businesses or people who want an affordable option that still gives them enough space.
- Easy Transportation: A major advantage of 20-foot containers is how easy they are to move around. They can quickly be put on trucks, trains, or ships, making it easy to move stuff around using different ways of transportation. This ability to be moved easily makes them important in worldwide trade.
- Affordable Storage Option: For companies that need short-term or long-term storage, 20-foot containers are a cheaper option than regular warehouses. They can be used right where they are needed, giving a safe and weather-proof place to store things without the extra costs of owning or leasing a warehouse.
- Customization Possibilities: These containers are like blank canvases waiting to be transformed. From pop-up shops and offices to housing units and creative installations, the customization options are endless. With some creativity and vision, 20-foot containers can be repurposed to fit a wide range of needs.
- Durability and Security: Made to handle the tough conditions of international shipping, 20-foot containers are very strong. They can stand up to bad weather, are secure, and don’t easily get damaged. This means that anything inside stays safe and undamaged. Their toughness makes them a good option for keeping valuable items or equipment.
- Environmentally Friendly: Using old shipping containers again helps our planet by making them useful once more. When people or companies use these containers for storing things or building, they help turn something old into something new and cut down on waste.
- Scalability: 20-foot containers can be piled up or put together to make bigger spaces, allowing them to grow or change depending on what you need. This means they can easily adjust to businesses that are getting bigger or have changing needs.
20ft Container Dimensions
Here are the approximate dimensions of the most common dry van shipping container sizes.
External Dimensions | 20’ long 8’ wide 8’6” high |
Internal Dimensions | 19’3” long 7’8” wide 7’9” high |
Door Opening | 7’8” wide 7’5” high |
Internal Floor Space | 147sq. ft. |
Cubic Feet (Volume) | 1,144 cu. ft. |
Tare | 4,000 – 5,000 lbs |
20-Foot Container Capacity
The capacity of a 20-foot container may vary slightly depending on the specific type and manufacturer, but typically, it can hold around 33 cubic meters of cargo. This equates to approximately:
- Volume: 1,172 cubic feet
- Weight: 48,000 pounds (21,772 kilograms)
What Items Can Fit in a 20ft Shipping Container
Household Items
A common use for a 20ft shipping container is moving household items. This size container can hold everything from furniture, machines, and personal stuff. It can accommodate the majority of furniture from a 2-bedroom house, including:
3 mattresses
4 dressers
1 Kitchen Table w/ 6 chairs
Couch
2 sitting chairs
coffee table
2 TVs
Washer & Dryer
Cars and More
Interestingly, you can fit vehicles like cars, motorcycles, or ATVs in a 20ft shipping container. This is great for people who need to move their vehicles far away, including to other countries. A typical car is about 14-16 feet long, 6 feet across, and 4-5 feet high. With these sizes, you might be able to fit 1-2 cars in a 20 ft container, depending on how big the cars are and how you arrange them inside the container.
Small Shops and Businesses
Small shops and businesses use 20ft shipping containers to move their stock, tools, or supplies. This is handy for moving items between stores or shipping goods to customers far away, offering a safe way to ship things.
Construction Materials
Construction companies or workers can use a 20ft shipping container as a portable storage for tools, materials, and equipment. Common construction materials that can typically fit in a 20ft shipping container include:
Pairs of bricks and cinder blocks
Heavy-duty paving slabs or cement blocks
4x4s, 8x8s, railroad ties
This makes it easy to get to what they need on the job and keeps things neat and safe from the weather.
Conclusion
In summary, learning all about the size and space of a 20-foot container is very important for businesses that trade internationally. By making the best use of the space and understanding the advantages of these containers, companies can make their shipping a lot smoother. This improves efficiency, saves money, and makes the supply chain better. Knowing these containers well helps with smarter planning and can give businesses an advantage in the worldwide market.
On-Site Storage Solutions
Looking for a storage solution that conveniently comes right to your doorstep? Our 20-foot shipping containers provide the ultimate answer to your needs. Perfect for businesses requiring additional inventory space or homeowners in need of temporary storage during renovations, our containers offer convenience and flexibility.
With sturdy construction and ample room, they are an ideal choice for a wide range of storage needs. Experience the comfort and ease of On-Site Storage Solutions today! Simply dial (888) 405-8772 to get started. Our team is ready to assist you in finding the perfect storage solution tailored to your specific requirements.
