20ft Shipping Container Guide: Dimensions, Weight & How Much Fits?

When you are shipping from China to Amazon FBA, space is money.

The 20ft Standard Container is the "baby" of the shipping world. It’s great for heavy goods like machinery, metals, or liquids. But if you are shipping bulky items like furniture or toys, a 20ft container can be deceptive. If you don't plan the loading correctly, you might end up paying to ship air (empty space).

In this updated 2026 guide, we strip away the jargon. We will explain exactly how big a 20ft container is inside, how much weight it holds, and most importantly—how many pallets you can actually fit.

Quick Specs: 20ft Container at a Glance

Need the numbers fast? Here is the cheat sheet for logistics planning.

(Note: These are industry averages. Exact numbers can vary slightly by container manufacturer.)

Internal Dimensions: What Actually Fits Inside?

Don't let the "33 CBM" volume figure fool you. In the real world, you can almost never fill a container 100%.

Why? Because boxes aren't liquid; they don't fill every gap.

• Realistic Capacity: For loose cartons, expect to fit about 25 - 28 CBM.
• The "Door Trap": Notice in the table above that the Door Height (7' 5") is shorter than the Internal Height (7' 10"). If you have a tall piece of equipment, make sure it can clear the door frame before you try to stuff it in!

How Many Pallets Fit in a 20ft Container?

This is the #1 question Amazon sellers ask us. The answer depends entirely on which pallet standard you use.

1. Standard Pallets (1.2m x 1.0m)

• Common in: USA, UK.
• Capacity: You can fit 10 Pallets (one tier).
• Loading: 1 row loaded lengthwise + 1 row loaded widthwise.

2. Euro Pallets (1.2m x 0.8m)

• Common in: Europe.
• Capacity: You can fit 11 Pallets (one tier).

Pro Tip: If your boxes are sturdy and not fragile, you can double-stack your pallets inside the container. This instantly doubles your capacity to 20 or 22 pallets. Always confirm with your supplier if the boxes can handle the stacking weight!

Weight Guide: Tare vs. Payload

Safety regulations are strict in 2026. Understanding the weight limits prevents your cargo from getting stuck at the port or fined on the highway.

1. What is "Tare Weight"?

This is simply the empty weight of the container box itself. It includes the steel floor, walls, and doors.

• Average Tare: ~2,300 kg (5,070 lbs).

2. What is "Max Payload"?

This is the maximum weight of the actual goods you can load inside.

• Formula: Max Gross Weight (30,480 kg) - Tare Weight (2,300 kg) = 28,180 kg Payload.

The "US Road Weight" Warning Just because the ship can carry 28,000 kg doesn't mean a truck in the US can legally haul it.

In the USA, strict road laws usually limit the cargo weight to around 17,200 kg (38,000 lbs) for a standard chassis. If you go heavier, you must pay extra for a special "tri-axle chassis" or overweight permit.

Shipping heavy items? Let us know beforehand so we can arrange the correct truck.

20ft vs. 40ft Container: Which Should You Choose?

Many beginners choose a 20ft container because it looks "cheaper." But is it really?

• The 20ft Container: Best for heavy, dense cargo (e.g., metals, liquids, paper, heavy machinery). You will hit the weight limit long before you fill the space.
• The 40ft HQ Container: Best for bulky, light cargo (e.g., Amazon FBA goods, furniture, textiles, electronics).

Think about it: A 40ft HQ has more than double the space (76 CBM) of a 20ft container (33 CBM), but the shipping price is usually NOT double. It is often only 30-40% more expensive. This makes the 40ft HQ the best value for most Amazon sellers.

Need more space?

If your shipment volume is over 30 CBM, a 20ft won't work. Check out our detailed 40ft Container Weight & Dimensions Guide to see if upsizing will actually save you money per unit.

Summary: Don't Pay for Wasted Space

Shipping costs are rising. The goal is to pack your container as efficiently as possible to lower your unit cost.

• Heavy items? Stick with the 20ft.
• Volume items? Upgrade to the 40ft.
• Not sure? Ask for a Loading Plan.

At Forest Leopard, we help Amazon sellers optimize their load plans every day. We ensure you aren't paying to ship air across the ocean.

[Get a Free Quote & Loading Plan Today] 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I find the exact official weight of my specific container?

A: Look at the doors! Every container has a metal plate on the right-hand door called the CSC Plate. It lists the exact certified TARE weight (empty weight) and Max Gross Weight for that specific box. Always use the numbers on the door, not just the averages online.

Q: What happens if I overload a 20ft container?

A: The consequences are expensive.

1. Fines: Ports and carriers impose heavy penalties for misdeclared weight.

2. Delays: Your cargo may be held at the port until you pay to "transload" (unload) the excess weight.

3. Rejection: In extreme cases, the ship captain can refuse to load your container entirely.

Q: Who is responsible if the container is overweight?

A: You are (the Shipper). Even if you hire a trucking company or a forwarder, the legal responsibility to verify the weight ultimately falls on the shipper. Always double-check your packing list against the container's payload limit.

Q: Is a 20ft High Cube container heavier than a Standard 20ft?

A: Yes, slightly. Because it is 1 foot taller and uses more steel, a 20ft High Cube typically weighs about 50-100 kg (110-220 lbs) more than a standard 20ft container. This means its payload capacity is slightly lower.

Q: How does tare weight affect my shipping cost?

A: For FCL (Full Container Load) shipping, you pay a flat rate for the box, so the tare weight doesn't directly change your price—but it limits how much product you can sell per shipment. For LCL (Less than Container Load), you are charged based on your cargo's volume or weight, so the container's weight doesn't matter to you.