20ft General Purpose (GP) Container: The Versatile Choice for Global Trade

When you book a shipment, you will often see the code 20GP or the term 20 General Purpose. This is the most widely recognized container type in existence.

While it is physically identical to the "Standard Dry" container, the industry calls it "General Purpose" for a reason: it is designed to carry almost anything.

From manufactured goods to raw materials, the 20ft GP is the "Jack of all trades" for TraceContainer.com users.

What Does "General Purpose" Mean?

The "General Purpose" designation certifies that the container is:

1. Fully Enclosed: All walls, roof, and floor are solid.

2. Weatherproof: Rigid steel protects against wind, rain, and saltwater.

3. Rigid: Capable of stacking up to 8 or 9 levels high on a vessel.

4. Floored: Features heavy-duty marine plywood flooring specifically designed to be grippy and durable for forklifts.

GP vs. SD: Is There a Difference?

In your booking menus, you might see 20 General Purpose and 20 Standard Dry listed separately.

• Physically: They are the exact same box.

• The Terminology: "General Purpose" is the official ISO classification (ISO Group Code 22G1). "Standard Dry" is often a colloquial term used by carriers.

• The Takeaway: If you book a 20GP, you are getting the standard 20ft box you see on every truck on the highway.

What Cargo belongs in a 20GP?

Because of its high payload-to-size ratio, the 20ft GP is the preferred choice for high-density goods that "weigh out" (hit the weight limit) before they fill the volume.

Top Commodities Shipped in 20GP:

• Consumer Goods: Boxed electronics, footwear, toys, and books.

• Industrial Goods: Auto parts, machinery components, metal coils.

• Bagged Cargo: Coffee beans, cocoa, cement, and plastic resins.

• Flexitanks: As mentioned in our previous guide, the 20GP is the base unit used to hold Flexibags for liquid transport.

Loading a General Purpose Container

To maximize the utility of a 20ft GP, load planning is essential.

• Floor Strength: The wooden floor is reinforced. It can handle a forklift driving inside, provided the forklift + load weight does not exceed roughly 5,460 kg (standard ISO limit).

• Lashing Points: A standard 20GP has steel lashing rings located on the top and bottom rails inside. These are used to strap down cargo so it doesn't shift during ocean transit.

Specs of Container (20GP)

• Internal Length: 5.90 m

• Internal Width: 2.35 m

• Internal Height: 2.39 m

• Cubic Capacity: 33.2 m³

Track Your 20GP Shipment

Whether you call it a Dry Van, a Standard Box, or a General Purpose container, we track them all. 

Get instant visibility on your 20GP anywhere in the world.

> Track My 20GP Container