What is the Smallest Shipping Container?

smallest shipping container

Shipping containers, or intermoda87l containers, are available in many different sizes, but about 90 per cent of the entire global container fleet is known as “dry freight” or “general purpose” containers. These containers are sturdy, enclosed rectangular boxes that are made of corrugated steel (COR-TEN). Nearly all measure eight feet wide and their standard length are either 20 or 40 feet, which is defined by standards set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

So, this brings us to the question at hand: What is the smallest shipping container?

While there are 10-foot, eight-foot, and even four-foot containers, as well as some custom sizes, the standard 20-foot ISO shipping container is the smallest size shipping container used in the shipping industry. A 10-foot container can be used for shipments but not on its own, as modern port equipment cannot lift or move these containers. The only way to ship a 10-foot shipping container is to connect it to another 10-foot container. That way, the equipment at the port can lift and move the container for transport.

Smaller-sized containers also cannot be used for shipping, and are generally only used for storage purposes. So, while “shipping containers” are smaller than the standard 20-foot container, they are too small to be used for shipping.

The Most Common Shipping Container Sizes

Although there are numerous types of intermodal containers that exist, general-purpose containers make up about ninety per cent of all the shipping containers in use globally. Almost all of them are 8 feet wide and when it comes to length, two standardized sizes dominate the market: 20-foot containers and 40-foot containers.

The worldwide standard heights for shipping containers are 8 feet 6 inches and 9 feet 6 inches, the latter of which is known as High Cube or Hi-Cube containers. High-cube shipping containers are commonly used when increased storage space or improved air circulation is desired.

Refer to the table below for a more comprehensive look at the dimensions and specifications for the most common shipping container sizes out there.

Note: Keep in mind that all weights and dimensions are approximate. Specifications may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

About Smallest Shipping Container?

While there are many shipping container sizes, the smallest size container that can be used for shipping is the standard 20-foot shipping container. These containers have a maximum load of about 61,000 pounds and will generally fit the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home, a car and some boxes.

The 20-foot shipping container, also known as a ‘Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit’ (TEU), is the industry standard. As such, vessel capacity and cargo volume are measured in terms of TEU. Although 20-foot containers are the smallest size shipping container in use, the 40-foot container – also called the Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) – is the most commonly used in the shipping industry.

What About 10-Foot Shipping Containers?

Most people are familiar with 20- and 40-foot shipping containers, while few are aware that 10-foot containers even exist. These shipping containers are one of the rare and most unique sizes out there. They can be very beneficial if you need to store a few things or simply don’t have enough space to fit one of the more common sizes. The dimensions for a 10-foot shipping container are:

• Width: 8 feet
• Length: approx. 10 feet
• Height: 8 feet six inches
• Weight: 2,850 pounds (empty)

These containers can serve many purposes, including securing your construction equipment, keeping your lawn tools safe from the elements, crafting a custom office container, or even making a DIY sauna. While you can move 10-foot containers around your own property and there are some moving companies that will transport them regionally, they cannot be shipped quickly via train, truck, or ship.

Since modern port equipment is only designed to work with 20-foot and 40-foot containers, the only way that you can successfully ship a 10-foot container is to bolt into another 10-foot container. This effectively creates a full, standard 20-foot container.

Japanese 12-Foot Containers

Aside from the 10-foot containers, there is another smaller shipping container size to be aware of. However, these containers only exist in Japan. Most of the containers in Japan’s domestic freight rail transport are 12 feet long. This unique sizing is intended to fit the standard pallet sizes in Japan.

Though, Japanese units, like European and U.S. domestic units, are regional intermodal containers and are almost solely transported via rail and road.