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
40-Foot High Cube
The most widely booked ocean unit, adding a foot of height to the 40-foot footprint.
40 ft
Container overview
The 40-foot high cube is the most commonly booked container on international trade lanes. It adds one foot of exterior height to the 40-foot standard, giving roughly 8 feet 10 inches of interior clearance and about 300 additional cubic feet of usable volume.
The extra headroom suits tall crated machinery, double-stacked pallets, textiles, packaging and general consolidated cargo. It is also the base unit for most container conversion and modification work because of the interior clearance available after insulation and framing.
Confirm road height limits along the delivery route, since the 9-foot 6-inch profile sits close to standard bridge clearances on some domestic lanes.
Also called40' HC · 40-foot hi-cube · 40HC · 40-foot high-cube dry van
Key features
- 9-foot 6-inch exterior height with roughly 8 feet 10 inches inside
- About 2,690 cubic feet of interior volume
- Taller door opening than a 40-foot standard unit
- Corten steel construction with a marine plywood floor
- Lashing rings for cargo securing along both side rails
- Widely available in new one-trip and used cargo-worthy condition
Technical specifications
Inside dimensions
| Length | 39' 5" |
|---|---|
| Width | 7' 8" |
| Height | 8' 10" |
| Floor area | 300 sq ft |
| Cubic capacity | 2,695 cu ft |
Outside dimensions
| Length | 40' |
|---|---|
| Width | 8' |
| Height | 9' 6" |
Door opening
| Width | 7' 8" |
|---|---|
| Height | 8' 5½" |
Weights
| Tare weight | 8,775 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum payload | 58,600 lb |
| Maximum gross weight | 67,200 lb |
Certification and identification
| ISO size/type code | 45G0 / 45G1 |
|---|---|
| ISO size group | 45 (40 ft × 9 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
- Commercial storage
- Temporary structures
- Government and military projects
Related containers
45-Foot High Cube
Extended-length high cube for high-volume freight and large-footprint storage.
Learn more
40-Foot High Cube Double Door
High cube height combined with cargo doors at both ends of the container.
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.