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How Much Does A Shipping Container Weigh?

Aug 27, 2022

What is the usual weight of a shipping container?

A shipping container is a portable box that is used by some individuals and companies for storage, temporary office space, home, and accommodation. It is a standard-size box made from Corten Steel, high-quality steel that is known as “weathered steel” for it can resist the corrosive effects of fog, snow, rain, ice, and other meteorological conditions. Plus, anything you place inside won’t be easily stolen or damaged. From the word itself “shipping”, it is used in transporting goods anywhere in the world by sea, road, and rail.


This simple storage box has its own different uses in every industry. In the retail industry, it serves as a mini store, restaurant, and showroom. In the construction industry, they convert it into an office where paper works done while others used it as storage for all the valuable tools they will use. Since it is a durable and versatile storage box, the military use it as their office, barracks, storage, and barriers. And some homeowners bury it and used it as an
emergency storm shelter.

How Much Does A Shipping Container Weigh

Why is it important to weigh a shipping container?

Since a shipping container is used for transporting goods anywhere, it is important to know if what is its weight before putting all the valuable things to transport. This is one of the regulatory guidelines and government transportation regulations that we need to comply with.


Not declaring the accurate weight of a container will put everyone at great risk in road safety, cargo or ships because it can be a reason for unbalanced or overloaded shipping containers. And one of the safety requirements of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) before loading onto a ship for export is to have a VGM ( Verified Gross Mass) of the container.


Tare Weight
- Tare weight is the weight of the shipping container before putting all the contents.


Shipping container’s weights per size:


  • 10 feet shipping container

Tare Weight - approximately 2,645 lbs.

Payload Capacity - about 19,753 lbs.

Gross Weight - about 22,398 lbs.

Capacity - 4,197 gallons

Internal length - 9 ft 2 in

Internal width - 7 ft 8.5 in

Internal height - 7 ft 10 in

External length - 10 ft

External width - 8 ft

External height - 8.5 ft


  • 20 feet shipping container

Tare Weight - about 4,914 lbs.

Payload Maximum Capacity - 47,900 lbs.

Gross Weight - 52,813 lbs.

Capacity - 33,200 gallons

Internal width - 7 ft 8 in

Internal height - 7.5 ft

Internal length - 19 ft 4 in

External length - 19 ft 10.5 in

External width - 8 ft

External height - 8.5 ft


  • 40 feet shipping container

Tare Weight - approximately 8,159 lbs.

Payload Maximum Capacity - about 59,039 lbs. 

Gross Weight - about 67,199 lbs.

Capacity - 67,670 gallons

Internal length - 39 ft 5 in

Internal width - 7 ft 8 in

Internal height - 7 ft 10 in

External length - 40 ft

External width - 8 ft

External height - 8.5 ft


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07 Sep, 2022
An airtight shipping container: is it possible?
06 Aug, 2022
The cost when moving a shipping container.
03 Aug, 2022
What is the difference between a conex box, a storage container, and a cargo or shipping container?
07 Jul, 2022
The uses of shipping containers in the military
04 Jul, 2022
The different uses of a shipping container in the construction industry
29 Jun, 2022
Do shipping containers make a great mobile office?
17 Jun, 2022
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03 Jun, 2022
Is there currently a shortage of shipping containers in the USA?
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