Theoretical values for estimating only. Confirm against the mill certificate or a stamped calculation before ordering or fabricating.
Freight is quoted per container, so the question that decides your landed cost is how much actually fits in one. Volume and weight disagree more often than people expect.
The two limits
A container runs out of either space or payload. A 40HQ holds 76.4 m³ but only about 26,580 kg, so dense steel cargo hits the weight limit long before the box is full — while light fabricated parts hit the volume limit first.
The calculation
Pieces along each axis = floor(container internal dimension ÷ carton dimension). Multiply the three axes for the volume-limited count, then divide payload by unit weight for the weight-limited count, and take the lower.
Why the answer is usually optimistic
This is a perfect block-stacking model. Real cargo has pallets, dunnage, lashing space and irregular shapes, and doors are narrower than the box. Deduct 5 to 15% for a realistic figure, more if the cargo is not stackable.
Non-stackable cargo
Set stackable to zero and the calculator limits the load to a single tier, which is the correct model for machinery, coated parts and anything with a fragile top surface.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a 40 foot container?
Twenty standard 1,200 × 1,000 mm pallets in a 40GP with the 1,200 mm side across, or 21 in a 40HQ. Euro pallets of 1,200 × 800 mm allow 25 in a 40GP.
What is the maximum payload of a 40HQ container?
About 26,580 kg. The tare weight of a 40HQ is roughly 3,900 kg against a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg.
Why does my container weigh out before it is full?
Because steel is dense. A 40HQ holds 76.4 m³ but only about 26.5 tonnes of payload, so anything heavier than roughly 350 kg per cubic metre fills the box by weight first.
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