How Much Does a 20-Foot Shipping Container Weigh?

When we’re discussing the weight of a 20ft shipping container, it typically relates to its tare weight. A standard 20 ft. dry shipping container weighs approximately 2,300kg (5,071 lbs). It has a maximum payload capacity of 52,813 lbs, meaning its gross weight is roughly 50,055 lbs.

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Curious about how much a 20-Foot shipping container weighs? In this comprehensive guide, we cover all the standard weights, average weights, and maximum weights of a 20ft shipping container, enabling you to ascertain its heaviness and how much cargo you can fit inside.

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20 ft Shipping Container Weight at a Glance

Here are the various weights for 20-foot shipping containers based on their type.

Maximum Payload weight

(kg)

5,000

55,126

25,000

50,055

22,700

2,313

67,200

30,480

62,281

28,250

6,791.4

3,080

67,200 lb

30,480 kg

60,417

27,400

Why Weighing Containers is Important

Weighing containers is vital for ensuring an accurate shipping process. By weighing containers before shipment or transportation, one can avoid overloading, which may damage goods or lead to lost shipments. Additionally, it enhances safety, protecting both people and goods during transit.

This is also why the International Maritime Organisation mandates shippers provide a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for every container before it’s loaded onto a vessel for export.

Proper weighing allows shippers to use the most efficient shipping route, sometimes resulting in substantial cost savings.

In summary, weighing containers is an essential aspect of the shipping process that should not be neglected.

There are three weights to consider for a 20ft shipping container:

• Tare Weight
• Maximum Gross Weight
• Maximum Payload Weight

Defining Tare Weight

Tare weight refers to the weight of an empty cargo container. It’s crucial to know this weight when shipping goods, as it influences total shipping costs. Tare weight also helps calculate the net weight of the contents, which is the product's weight minus the tare weight.

The tare weight of a 20 ft shipping container generally ranges from 1.8-2.2 metric tonnes (about 1,800 - 2,200 kg). You can find the precise weight indicated on the container doors.

Weight may vary, but these figures apply to standard dry containers exclusively. Older containers might be slightly heavier, although this is uncommon, while newer containers can be lighter due to advancements in manufacturing techniques that maintain strength while using less metal.

How Much Does an Empty 20 ft Storage Container Weigh?

The tare weight of an empty 20 ft shipping container usually lies between 1.8 to 2.2 metric tonnes (3,968 - 4,850 lbs). The exact weight can be found on the container doors.

Understanding Maximum Gross Weight

The maximum gross weight is the combined weight of the container and its contents, which is usually printed on the container door. For instance, if it states 44,000 lbs, this means the total allowable weight is that amount, including the weight of the container itself.

Exceeding this weight can lead to an overloaded container.

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What is the Max Weight for a 20 ft Shipping Container?

The maximum gross weight of a 20' container is typically 24 tons. This limit is established under ISO 668 and includes the container weight along with the cargo loaded inside.

This standard provides a uniform international shipping container for intermodal transport of goods, enabling seamless global transport.

Transporting 20ft Shipping Containers on Highways

A triaxle chassis, supporting three axles, is often utilized for hauling substantial loads, such as construction equipment. The typical maximum cargo weight this chassis can legally carry varies by state but is usually around 44,000 pounds (19,958 kilograms).

This weight limit ensures that trucks can safely handle the load while maintaining road integrity. It’s essential to verify weight limits when transporting large loads to prevent damage to both the vehicle and the road.

What is Maximum Payload Weight?

Payload weight or net weight refers to the total weight a shipping container can accommodate, excluding the container's own weight.

Maximum Load Capacity for a 20-foot Container

A 20-foot container can bear a maximum weight of 28 tons (25,400 kg). However, the actual capacity may depend on restrictions, type of materials in the cargo, and various factors.

For perspective, a standard car weighs between 1.5 and 2 tons, indicating that a 20-foot container could hypothetically carry between 14 to 17 cars, showcasing its significant load capacity.

Pallet Capacity in a 20-foot Container

A 20ft container can house 11 European pallets or 10 American pallets. Stacking pallets in rows along the container’s length and width ensures they stay within the boundaries.

Container Stacking Weights

20ft containers can be stacked up to 8 units high. Stacking containers corner-to-corner can withstand weights of up to 240 tonnes, making them viable for use as alternative housing or structural elements.

Weighing Loaded Shipping Containers

The tare weight of empty containers is generally available. The actual weight comes into play once filled with cargo, significantly impacting transport.

Four primary methods exist for weighing full-loaded shipping containers:

• Weighing containers directly on the ground
• Weighing containers on a truck (chassis)
• Utilizing specialized heavy-lifting equipment to lift containers into the air
• Driving a truck with a loaded container over truck scales.

Choosing the right method depends on the situation at hand.

How to Weigh Shipping Containers on a Chassis

Three techniques exist for weighing a shipping container on a chassis: employing a trailer suspension weighing system, utilizing a weighbridge, or utilizing axle weigh pads.

1. The trailer suspension weighing system, while convenient, offers less precision, with an accuracy range of 3-5%.
2. Weighbridges provide more accuracy but can be costly and require considerable space.
3. Axle weigh pads are the most precise and economical, being lightweight, portable, and capable of data transmission to a central indicator.

Container Flooring Weights

Container floors are traditionally crafted from hardwood plywood, known for its durability during cargo handling. Increasingly, manufacturers are incorporating sustainable bamboo as an alternative material, which matches the strength of plywood while being eco-friendly.

Conclusion

We hope this article clarifies your questions regarding “What does a 20-foot shipping container weigh?” or “How much does a 20-foot shipping container weigh?”

In summary, the average weight details for a typical dry shipping container are:

Tare weight: 5,071 lbs
Maximum payload capacity: 52,813 lbs
Max gross weight: 50,055 lbs

About Shipping Container Depot

Shipping Container Depot specializes in providing new and used shipping containers for both sale and lease. The company focuses on shipping container conversions, transforming them into livable spaces, office units, pop-up restaurants, or stores.

For further inquiries, reach us via our website or call us at (626) 765-XXXX to fulfill your shipping container requirements.

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