How much fits in a container & how to load it
Container capacity at a glance
Use these as general planning guidelines, not exact limits. How much you actually fit depends on your carton size, whether the cargo is palletized, and how the factory loads the box. Palletizing reduces the count because pallets take up space themselves — see Cartons: markings, pallets & fitting.
Container | Approx. usable volume | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
20-foot standard | ~26–28 CBM | Dense, heavy cargo |
40-foot standard | ~54–58 CBM | General cargo |
40-foot high cube | ~60–68 CBM | Bulky, lighter cargo |
45-foot high cube | ~72–78 CBM | Maximum volume |
Note: A "stretch to" volume — the top of a range — is only realistic with small cartons that leave little wasted space. Confirm the working capacity for your cargo with your Prime Freight team.
Weight limits
Volume isn't the only limit — weight matters too, and the binding limit changes along the journey:
Ocean carrier limit. Each carrier sets a maximum gross weight per container (for example, a heavy load may sit under a 40-foot ocean weight limit but be tight against it).
Road limit. The same load can be legal at sea but over the truck weight limit in some U.S. states. That can require a tri-axle chassis or an overweight permit to move it by road.
Rail limit. Cargo moving by rail has its own weight limits again.
Because these limits differ by carrier, container type, and region, tell your Prime Freight team the true gross weight early so we flag any chassis or permit needs before the box moves.
Who is responsible for loading
When your supplier packs the container at origin, the shipment moves under a shipper load, stow and count arrangement. This means the manufacturer — not Prime Freight or the ocean carrier — is responsible for packing, loading, counting the cartons, and securing them. If a container isn't packed properly, neither Prime Freight nor the carrier is liable for resulting damage. Make sure your supplier loads the box correctly.
How to load a container safely
Good loading prevents damage, especially on the rougher ocean and rail legs where the box gets jolted. Share these guidelines with your supplier:
Interlock the cartons. Stack boxes in an overlapping, brick-like pattern to spread the load and lock the stack together.
Heavy on the bottom, light on top. Put denser cartons low and lighter ones high.
Pack tight to stop movement. Empty space lets cargo shift in transit. Fill gaps with dunnage.
Brace and secure the load. Use load bars, bracing, or plywood to hold the cargo in place. Any wood used must comply with the international wood-packaging standard (ISPM 15) so it isn't rejected at customs.