The sea container is the most commonly used unit of transport in the international trade of goods.
When exporting, it is essential to determine the most suitable type of container for the volume of goods to be transported, in order to optimize space and cost.
Bearing in mind that palletization is the most common procedure for handling cargo, by knowing the internal dimensions of a container, it is possible to calculate how many pallets can be stored inside it comfortably and safely to make the most of its space in each shipment.
What is the difference between a standard pallet and a Euro pallet?
Not all pallets are the same. The two most commonly used types of pallets are the European pallet or europallet and the standard pallet, also known as the American or universal pallet.
The European pallet or europallet is the most common pallet used in transport and logistics in Europe. It measures 0.8 meters x 1.2 meters. The standard or American pallet is slightly larger. It measures 1 meter x 1.2 meters and is mainly used in the American and Japanese markets.
How many pallets fit in a 20-foot and 40-foot container?
Due to their small dimensions, 10-foot containers are not usually used for maritime transport, with 20-foot and 40-foot containers being the most common.
Internal measurements of a 20-foot container
The internal dimensions of a 20-foot container are: 5.898 meters long x 2.352 meters wide x 2.393 meters high. The 20-foot containers can store 10 standard pallets and 11 europallets.
Internal dimensions of a 40-foot container
The internal dimensions of a 40-foot container are: 12.032 meters long x 2.352 meters wide x 2.393 meters high. This means the capacity to store up to 21 standard pallets and 25 Euro pallets.
What is a Pallet Wide Container and what is it used for?
The Pallet Wide container was designed to compensate for the difference between the measurements of the European pallet and the American pallet, which is mainly used for the transport of goods on europallets. It is a version of the 20ft, 40ft or 45ft container models, but slightly wider to make it easier to fit two Euro pallets across the width or three along the length.
At Bullbox we manufacture 45ft HC pallet wide containers, which provide better space optimization. This difference in size allows 5 to 6 more europallets to be loaded.
Thus, while a 40-foot container can hold 25 europallets and a 45-foot container can hold 27 euro pallets, the 45-foot pallet wide container can hold up to 33 euro pallets.
Finally, the number of pallets will determine whether it is better to opt for a full container FCL (Full Container Load) or a shared container LCL (Less Container Load) with goods from other suppliers.
Do you need a sea container for international transport? Contact us and we will advise you on the most suitable for the type and volume of your goods.
