Container Types in International Shipping: What You Need to Know
20ft Standard Container
The 20ft container is the industry’s most widely used option for smaller shipments. It’s compact, secure, and suitable for one vehicle or compact machinery. For customers shipping a standard sedan, coupe, or motorcycle, the 20ft container is often the most cost-effective solution. Its dimensions make loading straightforward, and nearly every port worldwide is equipped to handle this size. Despite its smaller footprint, it offers excellent protection and is perfect for single-unit deliveries.
40ft Standard Container
As shipments grow in size or number, the 40ft container becomes the ideal choice. With twice the length of a 20ft container, it can hold multiple vehicles—usually between two and four, depending on size and loading configuration. This makes it extremely popular for customers moving several cars at once, dealership loads, or mixed shipments like cars combined with motorcycles. For clients looking to maximize their value per shipment, the 40ft container offers significant efficiency.
40ft High Cube (HC) Container
The 40ft High Cube container serves the same purpose as the standard 40ft, but with one major advantage: extra height. Its additional interior clearance allows for taller SUVs, vans, lifted trucks, commercial vehicles, and certain machinery that would not fit inside a standard container. Many boats on trailers also benefit from the added height. Because of this flexibility, the High Cube container is often the go-to choice for oversized or unusually shaped vehicles that require more vertical space during loading.
Flat Rack Container
When equipment becomes too large, too wide, or too heavy for a traditional container, a flat rack is typically the solution. These containers have no side walls or roof—only a reinforced base—making them ideal for extremely heavy machinery, oversized construction equipment, tractors, excavators, cranes, and even large boats. Flat racks allow loading from the top or sides using cranes and forklifts, offering total flexibility for difficult cargo. While they require special port equipment and handling, they are essential for shipping oversized machinery safely and legally.
Open Top Container
An open-top container looks similar to a 20ft or 40ft container, but the solid roof is replaced with a removable tarpaulin. This structure allows loading from above, which is ideal for machinery or vehicles that cannot be driven or rolled into a standard container, or those that require a crane to lift them in. Open-top containers also help when cargo exceeds standard height limits but does not quite require a flat rack. They provide both flexibility and protection, making them a strong middle-ground option.
RoRo as a Container Alternative
Although not a container type, Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) shipping is frequently compared to container shipping. With RoRo, the vehicle is simply driven onto a vessel, secured inside, and transported without ever entering a container. It is often the fastest and simplest method for operable cars, motorcycles, or machinery. However, RoRo does not allow personal belongings inside the vehicle, offers less privacy, and is limited to specific routes. For clients requiring additional security, container shipping remains the preferred choice.
Which Container Is Right for Your Shipment?
Choosing the correct container depends on several factors: the size of the vehicle or machinery, the number of units shipped, the destination port, budget, and any specific loading requirements. A single sedan fits perfectly in a 20ft container, while a shipment of three cars calls for a 40ft. Taller SUVs or commercial vans often require a High Cube. Heavy excavators or boats generally need a flat rack or open-top configuration.
At All Cargo Export, we analyze your cargo dimensions, weight, and transport needs to recommend the safest, most efficient option—ensuring your shipment leaves the port properly loaded, fully secured, and compliant with international standards.