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Shipping container sizes & specifications
Shipping containers come in various sizes and configurations to meet diverse storage and transport needs. From general-purpose units to refrigerated and open-top designs, each container type is engineered for durability, security, and functionality. Understanding the specifications of each type ensures you select the best option for your cargo, business, or personal use.
Specifications
New & used shipping containers for sale
General purpose shipping containers
- General construction
- Corrosion resistant Corten® steel construction. Four high strength corner posts fitted with corner castings top and bottom, with interconnecting rails of high tensile steel, with corrugated steel side panels, roof panel and front wall. Two pressed steel doors at rear of container, opening 270 degrees, with four hot dip galvanized locking bars, and fitted with watertight rubber seals.
- From the blog
- What You Should Know About Corten Steel
- Testing
- All containers are checked on the production line for dimensions, door operation, quality of construction and water tightness.
- Floors
- Hardwood plywood or bamboo (or optionally 4.5mm steel checker plate).
- Lock box
- An optional lock box can be fitted to the doors.
- Ventilators 6m standard & high cube
- Two ventilators are affixed, one on each side wall.
- Ventilators 12m standard & high cube
- Four ventilators are affixed, two on each side wall.
- Load securing 6m standard & high cube
- Each internal corner post is fitted with three lashing bars. Twenty lashing rings are fitted, five on each bottom and top rails.
- Load securing 12m standard & high cube
- Each internal corner post is fitted with three lashing bars. Forty lashing rings are fitted, ten on each bottom and top rails.
Size explorer
General purpose container dimensions
- Size
- 6m Standard
- External L × W × H
- 6056 × 2438 × 2592 mm
- Internal L × W × H
- 5898 × 2352 × 2392 mm
- Door opening W × H
- 2340 × 2280 mm
- Cubic capacity
- 33.2 cu/m
- Max gross weight
- 30,480 kg
- Tare weight
- 2,220 kg
| Specification | 6m Standard | 6m High Cube | 12m Standard | 12m High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Gross Weight | 30,480 kg | 30,480 kg | 32,500 kg | 32,500 kg |
| Tare Weight | 2,220 kg | 2,340 kg | 3,680 kg | 3,860 kg |
| External Length | 6056 mm | 6056 mm | 12192 mm | 12192 mm |
| Internal Length | 5898 mm | 5898 mm | 12032 mm | 12032 mm |
| External Width | 2438 mm | 2438 mm | 2438 mm | 2438 mm |
| Internal Width | 2352 mm | 2352 mm | 2352 mm | 2352 mm |
| External Height | 2592 mm | 2896 mm | 2592 mm | 2896 mm |
| Internal Height | 2392 mm | 2698 mm | 2392 mm | 2698 mm |
| Door Opening Width | 2340 mm | 2340 mm | 2340 mm | 2340 mm |
| Door Opening Height | 2280 mm | 2585 mm | 2280 mm | 2585 mm |
| Cubic Capacity | 33.2 cu/m | 37.5 cu/m | 67.7 cu/m | 76.4 cu/m |
New & used for sale
More container types for sale
Refrigerated shipping containers
Refrigerated shipping containers provide the ideal solution for temperature-sensitive goods, ensuring stable storage and transport conditions. Capable of maintaining internal temperatures between -25°C and +25°C, they help preserve the integrity of perishable products such as food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, regardless of external weather conditions.
These containers feature built-in lighting, easy-to-open doors, flat flooring, and an included stainless steel ramp for effortless loading. All units require a three-phase power connection to ensure optimal performance and continuous refrigeration.
Side opening shipping containers
Side opening shipping containers provide full-length access, making them ideal for businesses that require frequent loading and unloading of large or bulky items. These containers come equipped with standard rear doors and full side-opening doors, offering convenience for warehouse storage, retail stock management, and on-site equipment storage. Available in multiple sizes, they ensure efficiency and easy accessibility.
Open top shipping containers
Open top containers allow for easy loading and unloading of oversized items that cannot fit through standard container doors. With a removable hard or soft cover, these containers are perfect for transporting heavy equipment, construction materials, and bulk goods.
Open top shipping containers are extremely specialised and may not be available on the day, however they can be sourced relatively quickly.
Flat rack shipping containers
Flat rack containers are designed to transport oversized and irregularly shaped cargo, such as machinery, vehicles, and heavy industrial equipment. These containers come with either fixed or collapsible ends, providing additional flexibility when loading large items.
Flat rack shipping containers are extremely specialised and may not be available on the day, however they can be sourced relatively quickly.
Container hire
Shipping containers hire fleet
Refrigerated shipping containers
Refrigerated shipping containers are the perfect solution for any products requiring storage or transportation under regulated temperature and humidity conditions. We have access to two designs:
- International refrigerated containers, generally available in 20ft standard and 40ft high cube, with a temperature range of -25 to +25. They need a three phase 32 amp 440V power supply.
- Domestic storage refrigerated containers in 10ft, 20ft and 40ft, fitted with lights, a panic alarm, an emergency door and plastic strip curtains to help prevent temperature loss.
Side opening shipping containers
Side opening containers come equipped with standard rear doors and full side-opening doors for full-length access. Our hire range includes a 20ft (6m) dangerous goods side opening container.
Call our team on 07 3888 3751 to check hire availability, or request a quote.
Dangerous goods shipping containers
Built for the secure storage of hazardous materials, these containers comply with strict Australian safety standards (AS1940-2004). They feature bunded floors to contain spills, proper ventilation to prevent fume build-up, and high-security locking systems to prevent unauthorised access. Available for hire as a 10ft (3m) dangerous goods container and a 20ft (6m) DG side opening container.
- Paint and thinners
- Oils and diesel
- Liquids & Chemicals
- Class 3 flammables
What sets us apart
Premier quality containers
Your container will be carefully inspected to make sure we're offering the right container for your needs.
Tested
All containers are checked on the production line for dimensions, door operation, air and water tightness and quality of construction.
Strong, durable and secure
Shipping containers were designed to securely transport goods all over the world, travelling thousands of miles and battling the elements.
They are in good condition
The average age of shipping containers at our self storage depots is less than five years.
Secure
All of the portable storage and general purpose containers we hire out are fitted with a lock box as standard.
Resistant
Premier Shipping Containers are water resistant, air tight and vermin proof.
Flexible transport and delivery
We offer you a simple drive up and store option, or we deliver to you for packing before bringing it back to the storage depot. Costs vary.
Perfect storage solution
Shipping containers are perfect for portable storage due to their strength, durability and corrosion resistant steel bodies.
Optional add-ons
Premier Shipping Containers offer additional lock boxes and shelving if needed. Costs vary.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes do shipping containers come in?
Shipping containers come in various sizes, with the most common being the 20ft shipping container and 40ft shipping container. These containers are available in both standard and high cube options, with high cubes providing extra headroom. If you're unsure which size suits your needs, check our 20 foot container specs or reach out for expert advice.
What is the difference between a 20ft and 40ft shipping container?
Length and capacity. A 6m (20ft) container is 6056 mm long externally and a 12m (40ft) container is 12192 mm. Both are 2438 mm wide. A 6m standard holds 33.2 cu/m and a 12m standard holds 67.7 cu/m, or 37.5 cu/m and 76.4 cu/m in high cube. See the full dimensions table.
How much weight can a shipping container hold?
The max gross weight is 30,480 kg for 6m standard and high cube containers and 32,500 kg for 12m standard and high cube containers. Tare weights range from 2,220 kg (6m standard) to 3,860 kg (12m high cube). See the full dimensions table.
Are shipping containers wind and watertight?
All containers are checked on the production line for dimensions, door operation, quality of construction and water tightness. The doors are fitted with watertight rubber seals, and our containers are water resistant, air tight and vermin proof.
Can a 20ft or 40ft shipping container be modified?
Yes. We provide expert conversion and modification services from our Burpengary (QLD) depot, with most projects completed within 2 to 6 weeks from design approval. See our modification services.
What type of flooring is used in a shipping container?
Hardwood plywood or bamboo, or optionally 4.5mm steel checker plate.
Container depot and storage facility in Burpengary, Queensland
For more information regarding our shipping container services, give one of our friendly team members a call on 07 3888 3751 or request a quote online.