What size containers do shipping companies use?

[rilojag]

In the import/export business what is the general size of containers that a distributor would use. I hear there is 20 ft, then 40 feet any other sizes? Also can you clear this up for me, I take it a palette is different to a container, it's just a small amount of units on like some crates, am I right?

 

[red-source]

You can consider a pallet to be a 1 meter cube. A base of wood which is 1 meter square and the goods geneally stacked 1 meter high. A 20ft container would contain maximum 16 pallets. A 40ft container would contain approx 36 ( not necessarily 2x the 20ft container ). Dependant on the goods being imported the size of container is an issue due to weight, the UK has regulations which determine the maximum weight that can be loaded into a transporter. So for instance you could manage to get 15 tonnes into a 20ft container, but you would only be allowed to put 20 tonnes into a 40ft container.
When importing you have to take all that into account, and when costing goods make sure you know the weight of each item and how many you expect to bring in at one time.

 

[Apple]

In the import/export business what is the general size of containers that a distributor would use. I hear there is 20 ft, then 40 feet any other sizes? Also can you clear this up for me, I take it a palette is different to a container, it's just a small amount of units on like some crates, am I right?

Normally the size for the dry container as below:
Outside measurement:20inch*8inch*8inch6feet 20GP container for short ；

Outside measurement: 40inch*8inch*8inch6feet,40GP container for short；

For recent years ,we use 40 HQ container : 40inch*8inch*9inch6feet

20GP：inside measurement 5.69 meter *2.13 meter *2.18 meter,Max weight 17.5 ton,

40GP :inside measurement 11.8 meter * 2.13 meter * 2.18 meter ,max weight 22 ton,the approximate cbm is 54 .

40HQ :inside measurement 11.8meter*2.13 meter *2.72meter ,max weight 22 ton,approximate cbm is 68 .

 

[Apple]

Normally the size for the dry container as below:
Outside measurement:20inch*8inch*8inch6feet 20GP container for short ；

Outside measurement: 40inch*8inch*8inch6feet,40GP container for short；

For recent years ,we use 40 HQ container : 40inch*8inch*9inch6feet

20GP：inside measurement 5.69 meter *2.13 meter *2.18 meter,Max weight 17.5 ton,

40GP :inside measurement 11.8 meter * 2.13 meter * 2.18 meter ,max weight 22 ton,the approximate cbm is 54 .

40HQ :inside measurement 11.8meter*2.13 meter *2.72meter ,max weight 22 ton,approximate cbm is 68 .

Sorry ,I make mistake of the measurement unit .Please see the corect one as below :

Normally the size for the dry container as below:
Outside measurement:20fee*8fee*8feet6inch 20GP container for short ；

Outside measurement: 40feet*8feet*8feet6inch,40GP container for short；

For recent years ,we use 40 HQ container : 40feet*8feet*9feet6inch

20GP：inside measurement 5.69 meter *2.13 meter *2.18 meter,Max weight 17.5 ton,

40GP :inside measurement 11.8 meter * 2.13 meter * 2.18 meter ,max weight 22 ton,the approximate cbm is 54 .

40HQ :inside measurement 11.8meter*2.13 meter *2.72meter ,max weight 22 ton,approximate cbm is 68