40-Foot Standard Dry Van
Twice the floor area of a 20-foot unit for lighter, higher-volume international cargo.
Learn moreStandard & High-Cube Dry Containers
20-Foot Standard Dry Van
The baseline export unit for dense, palletized and general cargo on international bookings.
20 ft
Container overview
The 20-foot standard dry van is the reference unit of container shipping, and the origin of the TEU measurement used across the industry. It is built from corrugated Corten steel panels welded to a rigid frame, with eight ISO corner castings, a marine plywood floor over steel cross-members and a pair of full-width doors at one end.
Its value is weight rather than volume. A 20-foot unit reaches its plated gross limit long before the interior fills with dense cargo such as machinery, steel, stone, tile or drummed liquids, which makes it the standard choice where cargo weight drives the booking.
Interior height at the door is lower than the interior height at the roof line, so tall crates should be measured against the door opening rather than the interior height. Road weight limits in the destination country may also be lower than the plated gross weight.
Also called20' GP · 20-foot general purpose · TEU · one-TEU box · 20ft dry van
Key features
- Full-width double cargo doors at one end with cam locking gear
- Corten steel construction with a marine plywood floor
- Lashing rings along the top and bottom side rails for cargo securing
- Standard 8-foot 6-inch exterior height
- Highest weight-per-cubic-foot efficiency of the dry van range
- Supplied as a shipper-owned container under the Pro Box PBIU prefix where required
Technical specifications
Inside dimensions
| Length | 19' 3" |
|---|---|
| Width | 7' 8" |
| Height | 7' 10" |
| Floor area | 150 sq ft |
| Cubic capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
Outside dimensions
| Length | 19' 10½" |
|---|---|
| Width | 8' |
| Height | 8' 6" |
Door opening
| Width | 7' 8" |
|---|---|
| Height | 7' 5" |
Weights
| Tare weight | 5,050 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum payload | 62,350 lb |
| Maximum gross weight | 67,200 lb |
Certification and identification
| ISO size/type code | 22G0 / 22G1 |
|---|---|
| ISO size group | 22 (20 ft × 8 ft 6 in) |
| CSC information | Cargo-worthy units carry a valid CSC safety approval plate |
Container specifications may vary by manufacturer, production year and individual unit. Confirm the specifications of the assigned container before booking, loading or modifying the equipment.
Typical values; carrier and manufacturer tolerances apply.
Specifications last reviewed 2026-08-24. · Client-supplied representative figures. Reference specification
Condition and compliance
- New / one-trip units, subject to origin availability
- Used cargo-worthy units with valid CSC plating
- Wind and watertight units for storage use, which are a separate condition from cargo-worthy
Equipment moving on an international booking has to satisfy the applicable carrier, CSC, inspection, prefix, marking and documentation requirements before it is loaded. Wind and watertight condition describes weather protection only, and is a separate standard from cargo-worthy condition.
Common applications
- International freight
- Project cargo
- Industrial equipment
- Commercial storage
- Government and military projects
Related containers
20-Foot High Cube
A 20-foot footprint with an extra foot of interior height for tall crates and equipment.
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20-Foot Double Door
Cargo doors at both ends of a 20-foot unit for straight-through loading and access.
Learn moreNeed this container for your project?
Tell us what you are shipping, where the container is needed and when the project begins. Pro Box will help identify the appropriate equipment, condition and documentation requirements.