Choosing the right shipping container can save you thousands of dollars and prevent cargo damage. Whether you are shipping electronics, storing equipment on-site, or building a modular structure, the container type you pick matters.
This guide covers the 15 most commonly used container types with dimensions, payload capacities, and real-world applications. If you need hands-on help, Infinex supplies new, used, and custom containers across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region.
Quick Background: What Is a Shipping Container?
A shipping container is a standardised steel box built for intermodal transport by ship, rail, and truck. Container capacity is measured in TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). A 20 ft container = 1 TEU. A 40 ft container = 2 TEU (also called 1 FEU).
There are over 30 million containers in circulation worldwide, carrying roughly 90% of the world’s non-bulk cargo. They are made from Corten steel (weathering steel) and can last 25+ years in active shipping service.
Standard Container Types
These container types make up the bulk of the global fleet. At Infinex, we stock most of these in both new and used condition.
1. Dry Container (General Purpose)
The workhorse of international shipping, accounting for about 90% of the global fleet. Fully enclosed with swing doors at one end, a steel roof, and a plywood or bamboo floor rated for forklift traffic.
Available in 20 ft (1 TEU) and 40 ft (2 TEU). Use the 20 ft for heavy, dense cargo like machinery or metals. Use the 40 ft for lighter, bulkier goods like furniture or electronics.
ISO type code: 22G1 (20 ft), 42G1 (40 ft)
| Spec | 20 ft | 40 ft |
| External (L x W x H) | 6.058 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m |
| Internal volume | 33.2 m3 | 67.7 m3 |
| Tare weight | ~2,300 kg | ~3,750 kg |
| Max payload | ~25,000 kg | ~26,750 kg |
Common uses: General merchandise, boxed goods, electronics, garments, auto parts, building materials, and palletised freight.
Infinex stocks both new and used GP containers. Browse the full range on our products page.
2. High Cube Container
Identical to a dry container in length and width but one foot (30.5 cm) taller, giving roughly 13% more internal volume. Most common in 40 ft and 45 ft lengths. The 20 ft high cube exists but is uncommon.
Keep in mind: the extra height may cause clearance issues under older bridges or rail tunnels, so check your inland route.
ISO type code: 45G1 (40 ft HC)
| Spec | 40 ft HC |
| External (L x W x H) | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.896 m |
| Internal volume | 76.4 m3 |
| Tare weight | ~3,940 kg |
| Max payload | ~26,560 kg |
Common uses: Furniture, lightweight consumer goods, retail displays, and container conversions (offices, cafes, accommodation) where ceiling height matters.
For more on sizing, see our shipping container sizes guide.
3. Refrigerated Container (Reefer)
A thermally insulated container with an integrated refrigeration unit. Maintains temperatures from -65 to +40 degrees Celsius. Requires continuous external power (440V, 3-phase) from a vessel plug, genset, or shore connection. Modern reefers feature controlled atmosphere (CA) technology to extend produce shelf life.
About 6% of the global fleet are reefers.
ISO type code: 22R1 (20 ft), 42R1 (40 ft)
| Spec | 40 ft Reefer |
| External (L x W x H) | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m |
| Internal volume | 58.7 m3 |
| Tare weight | ~4,800 kg |
| Max payload | ~27,700 kg |
| Temp range | -65 to +40 C |
Common uses: Fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meat, seafood, dairy, pharmaceuticals, cut flowers, and chocolate.
Need data loggers or power cables for your reefer? Check our accessories page.
4. Open Top Container
Replaces the rigid steel roof with a removable tarpaulin cover. Cargo can be loaded from above using a crane or gantry. When the tarp and roof bows are removed entirely, cargo can protrude above the walls (out-of-gauge/OOG), though this incurs surcharges since nothing can be stacked above.
ISO type code: 22U1 (20 ft), 42U1 (40 ft)
| Spec | 40 ft Open Top |
| External (L x W x H) | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m |
| Internal volume | 67.3 m3 |
| Tare weight | ~3,810 kg |
| Max payload | ~26,630 kg |
Common uses: Heavy machinery, marble slabs, timber logs, steel coils, glass panels, and any cargo requiring top-loading.
5. Flat Rack Container
A container floor with two end walls (fixed or collapsible) but no side walls or roof. Collapsible flat racks fold down flat when empty, so four to five units fit in the footprint of one standard container. Equipped with heavy-duty lashing rings for securing cargo with chains and straps. Some models handle payloads up to 45 metric tons.
ISO type code: 22P1 (20 ft), 42P1 (40 ft)
| Spec | 40 ft Flat Rack |
| External (L x W x H) | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m |
| Tare weight | ~5,000 kg |
| Max payload | ~40,000 to 45,000 kg |
Common uses: Boats, heavy construction equipment, large pipes, wind turbine components, military vehicles, and oversized cargo.
Looking for project cargo solutions? Explore our customised container solutions.
6. Hard Top Container
Similar to an open top but with a detachable rigid steel roof instead of a tarp. The roof lifts off entirely for overhead loading, then reattaches for full weathertight protection and stacking capability. Combines the loading flexibility of an open top with the structural integrity of a standard dry container.
Common uses: Heavy machinery, transformers, generators, and project cargo requiring both top-loading and full enclosure.
7. ISO Tank Container
A cylindrical stainless steel tank (316L grade) mounted inside a standard ISO frame. Holds 21,000 to 26,000 litres. Critical safety rule: fill between 80% (prevents dangerous liquid surge) and 95% (allows thermal expansion).
ISO type code: 22T1 (20 ft)
| Spec | 20 ft ISO Tank |
| Tank capacity | 21,000 to 26,000 L |
| Tank material | 316L stainless steel |
| Tare weight | ~3,070 to 3,830 kg |
| Max payload | ~26,000 to 36,000 kg |
| Working pressure | 1.5 to 6.0 bar (up to 22 bar for gas) |
Common uses: Food-grade liquids (juice, wine, oil), industrial chemicals, liquid gases (LPG, LNG), pharmaceuticals, and bulk powders.
8. Open Side Container
Features a full-length door along one long side using a bi-fold or concertina mechanism. Provides unobstructed access to the entire container length, making it easy to load long items with a forklift from the side. Useful when the container sits flush against a wall.
Common uses: Timber, pipes, plasterboard, exhibition goods, mobile retail, and cargo requiring side-loaded forklift access.
9. Double Door Container (Tunnel)
Standard swing doors at both ends, enabling first-in-first-out (FIFO) flow. Load from one end, unload from the other. Structurally identical to a standard dry container with full ISO stacking capability.
Common uses: Warehousing with FIFO requirements, event setups, construction sites needing drive-through access.
10. Ventilated Container
A dry container with passive ventilation openings (louvres or mesh) in the side walls. Allows natural air circulation to prevent moisture buildup, condensation (“container rain”), and heat accumulation. Some models have up to 90 ventilation slots per side wall.
ISO type code: 22V1 (20 ft)
Common uses: Coffee beans, cocoa, tobacco, spices, onions, garlic, and cargo that emits moisture or is sensitive to condensation.
11. Insulated Container
Same polyurethane foam insulation as a reefer but without the refrigeration unit. Works like a thermos. Cost-effective for short transit legs where cargo needs temperature protection but not active cooling.
Common uses: Short-haul transport of chocolate, wax, wine, and goods pre-cooled before loading.
12. Half-Height Container
Stands at roughly half the height of a standard container (~1.3 m). Reinforced walls and floor for very dense, heavy cargo. Lower centre of gravity improves transport stability. Two half-height units stack to fill one standard vessel slot.
Common uses: Coal, ore, heavy aggregates, scrap metal, sand, and demolition debris.
Specialised Container Types
13. Garment-on-Hanger (GOH)
A standard dry or high cube container fitted with internal hanging rails. Clothes travel on hangers just like in a retail store, eliminating folding and re-ironing. A 40 ft GOH container holds 8,000 to 12,000 garments.
Common uses: Ready-to-wear clothing, suits, dresses, uniforms, and high-value fashion items.
14. Bulk Container
A modified dry container with roof hatches for top-loading and a discharge gate at one end for gravity unloading. Liners protect the walls and prevent cross-contamination.
Common uses: Grain, seeds, animal feed, fertiliser, sugar, salt, and plastic pellets.
15. Custom/Special Purpose Container
Containers can be purpose-built or modified for virtually any application: mobile labs, data centres, offshore modules, military command posts, or modular buildings.
Our team at Infinex builds customised container solutions to your exact specs, from simple mods (extra doors, windows) to fully fitted-out modular buildings.
Dimensions Comparison Chart
| Container Type | External (L x W x H) | Internal Volume | Max Payload |
| 20 ft Dry | 6.058 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | 33.2 m3 | 25,000 kg |
| 40 ft Dry | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | 67.7 m3 | 26,750 kg |
| 40 ft High Cube | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.896 m | 76.4 m3 | 26,560 kg |
| 40 ft Reefer | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | 58.7 m3 | 27,700 kg |
| 40 ft Open Top | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | 67.3 m3 | 26,630 kg |
| 40 ft Flat Rack | 12.192 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | N/A | 40,000 kg |
| 20 ft ISO Tank | 6.058 x 2.438 x 2.591 m | 21,000 to 26,000 L | 26,000 to 36,000 kg |
| 20 ft Half-Height | 6.058 x 2.438 x 1.300 m | 15.5 m3 | 27,400 kg |
Container Grades and Conditions
When buying containers, condition grade tells you what you are getting. Here is a quick breakdown.
- New (One-Trip): Used for a single voyage from the factory. Near-new condition. Best for export shipping, long-term storage, conversions, and situations where appearance matters.
- Cargo Worthy (CW): Inspected and certified for ocean shipping with a valid CSC plate. May show surface rust and dents but is structurally sound and weathertight. Best for international shipping and general storage.
- Wind and Water Tight (WWT): Sealed against rain and wind but may no longer meet ocean shipping standards. Most cost-effective option for static storage.
- As-Is/Used: Not inspected or certified. May have significant wear. Inspect in person or request photos. Best for budget storage, art projects, and heavily modified builds.
Infinex offers graded used containers with transparent condition descriptions and photos.
How to Choose the Right Container
Selecting the right type comes down to five questions:
- What are you shipping? Dry goods go in a GP container. Perishables need a reefer. Liquids need a tank. Oversized items need a flat rack or open top. Moisture-emitting cargo (coffee, cocoa) needs a ventilated container.
- What size do you need? Heavy, dense goods often suit a 20 ft (you will hit the weight limit before filling a 40 ft). Lightweight, bulky goods suit a 40 ft high cube.
- How heavy is the cargo? Ensure the container’s max payload exceeds your total cargo weight. For very heavy project cargo, flat racks handle up to 45 metric tons.
- Does it need temperature control? Active cooling = reefer. Short transit with acceptable drift = insulated container. Make sure power is available throughout the journey.
- What is your budget? New containers cost more but last longer. Used CW or WWT grades save money. For one-off shipments, leasing often makes more sense than buying. Our services team can advise.
Quick decision matrix:
| Cargo Type | Recommended Container |
| General dry goods | 20 ft or 40 ft dry |
| Bulky, lightweight goods | 40 ft or 45 ft high cube |
| Frozen or chilled food | Reefer |
| Heavy machinery | Flat rack or open top |
| Bulk liquids/chemicals | ISO tank |
| Coffee, cocoa, spices | Ventilated |
| Long items (timber, pipes) | Open side |
| Oversized/over-height cargo | Open top or flat rack |
| FIFO warehouse flow | Double door (tunnel) |
| Dense ores and minerals | Half-height |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common type of shipping container?
The standard dry container (general purpose) makes up about 90% of the global fleet. Available in 20 ft and 40 ft lengths, it handles virtually any dry, non-perishable cargo.
What is the difference between a standard and a high cube container?
Height only. A high cube is one foot taller (9 ft 6 in vs 8 ft 6 in), giving about 13% more internal volume. Ideal for lightweight, voluminous cargo and container conversions.
How long does a shipping container last?
A well-maintained container lasts 20 to 25 years in active ocean shipping. After that, it can serve as storage or a building module for decades. Corten steel construction is the key to longevity.
Can I use a shipping container for storage?
Absolutely. WWT grade containers are the most popular choice for on-site storage on construction sites, farms, and commercial properties. Browse our used containers for storage-grade options.
What does TEU mean?
TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. One 20 ft container = 1 TEU. One 40 ft container = 2 TEU. It is the standard measure for port throughput and vessel capacity.
What is the maximum weight a shipping container can hold?
A 20 ft dry container holds about 25,000 kg. A 40 ft dry holds about 26,750 kg. Flat racks can carry up to 45,000 kg. Always check the max gross weight on the CSC plate and subtract the tare weight.
How do I choose between buying and leasing?
Buying suits long-term needs (storage, conversions, repeat shipments). Leasing suits short-term or one-off use. Contact Infinex for advice on the best option.
Conclusion
The right container protects your cargo, controls your shipping costs, and keeps your supply chain moving. From the ubiquitous dry container to specialised units like ISO tanks and reefers, each type serves a specific purpose.
Match the container type, size, and condition to your cargo requirements and budget. If you are not sure which type fits your situation, the team at Infinex can help.
Browse our full product range, explore our services, or get in touch for expert advice.