45-Foot High Cube
Extended-length high cube for high-volume freight and large-footprint storage.
Learn moreStandard & High-Cube Dry Containers
53-Foot Intermodal
Domestic high cube built to the North American rail and highway footprint.
53 ft
Container overview
The 53-foot intermodal container is a domestic North American unit. It is wider and taller than an ISO ocean box, at 8 feet 6 inches wide and 9 feet 6 inches high, which allows standard 40-inch by 48-inch pallets to sit side by side across the floor.
Because the length and width sit outside the ISO 6346 ocean series, these units generally move on domestic rail and highway rather than on international vessel bookings. Where an ocean move is required, acceptance has to be confirmed with the carrier in advance.
The same width advantage makes the 53-foot unit attractive for warehousing overflow and large ground-level storage, provided the site can accept the length.
Also called53' HC · 53-foot domestic container · 53HC
Key features
- 8-foot 6-inch exterior width for side-by-side pallet loading
- Roughly 4,080 cubic feet of interior volume
- 9-foot 6-inch high cube exterior height
- Built for North American rail and highway intermodal service
- Largest single-unit floor area Pro Box supplies
Technical specifications
Inside dimensions
| Length | 52' 6 1/16" |
|---|---|
| Width | 8' 3" |
| Height | 9' 1⅜" |
| Floor area | 433 sq ft |
| Cubic capacity | 3,948 cu ft |
Outside dimensions
| Length | 53' |
|---|---|
| Width | 8' 6" |
| Height | 9' 6½" |
Door opening
| Width | 8' 2¼" |
|---|---|
| Height | 9' 1⅜" |
Weights
| Tare weight | 11,070 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum payload | Varies by manufacturer or model |
| Maximum gross weight | Varies by manufacturer or model |
Certification and identification
| ISO size/type code | Domestic / varies |
|---|---|
| ISO size group | Domestic North American intermodal |
| CSC information | CSC plating depends on the individual unit and the intended service |
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.
Primarily North American domestic equipment.
Specifications last reviewed 2026-08-24. · Manufacturer-specific representative. Reference specification
Condition and compliance
- New / one-trip units, subject to origin availability
- Used domestic units in road-serviceable condition
- 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
- Domestic intermodal freight
- Commercial storage
- Distribution overflow
- Government and military projects
Related containers
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The most widely booked ocean unit, adding a foot of height to the 40-foot footprint.
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40-Foot Standard Dry Van
Twice the floor area of a 20-foot unit for lighter, higher-volume international cargo.
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.