Internal dimensions of standard shipping containers
These measurements are offered as a general guide.










Rating
Rating is the maximum gross mass (or weight) permissible of a container plus its contents. The rating of a 20' dry cargo container is 24,000kgs (52,900lbs), and a 40', including the high cube container, is 30,480kgs (67,200lbs).


Tare Mass
Tare Mass, tare weight or tare, is the mass (or weight) of an empty container, including all fittings and appliances used in a particular type of container, in its normal operating condition.

The tare mass of containers may vary due to the different construction techniques and materials used in the container. A 20' x 8.5' dry cargo container may weigh 1,800kgs to 2,400kgs, a 40' x 8.5' container may weigh 2,800kgs to 4,000kgs and a 40' x 9.5' container may weigh 3,900kgs to 4,200kgs. Some dry cargo containers fall outside the indicated weight range. The reefer weighs more than a dry cargo container of the same size.


Payload
Payload is the maximum permitted mass (or weight) of payload, including the dunnage and cargo securement arrangements that are not associated with the container in its normal operating condition. Therefore; Payload equals the Rating minus the Tare Mass.

If the tare mass of a 20' dry cargo container is 2,400kgs and a 40' is 3,900kgs, the payload of a 20' container is 21,600kgs (i.e., 24,000kgs minus 2,400kgs) and 40' is 26,580kgs. (i.e., 30,480kgs. minus 3,900kgs.). However, the exporter may be prohibited to have that much payload in areas where there are legal limitations to the overall load of a vehicle.

In exporting, it is common to encounter a payload of 17,500kgs or less in the 20' container, and 24,000kgs or less in the 40' container.