20ft Standard Dry Container (TEU) Guide: Dimensions & Pallet Capacity

If you look at any port in the world, the vast majority of the boxes you see are 20ft Standard Dry Containers. In the logistics industry, this specific unit is so important that global trade volume is actually measured in TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).

Listed in your TraceContainer.com tracking system as "20 Standard Dry" or "20 General Purpose," this container is the default choice for importers and exporters worldwide. But is it the right choice for your specific shipment?

This guide covers the dimensions, capacity, and best use cases for the 20ft Dry Container.

The 20ft Standard is a fully enclosed, weather-tight steel box. It is designed to be "intermodal," meaning it can be stacked on ships, loaded onto truck chassis, and moved by rail wagons without ever handling the goods inside.

Key Characteristic: It is known as the "Heavy Lifter."

While a 40ft container is twice as long, it cannot carry twice the weight. In fact, a 20ft container often has a higher payload capacity than a 40ft container because the box itself weighs less.

Best Uses: Heavy & Dense Cargo

You should choose a 20ft container over a 40ft container if your cargo is heavy rather than bulky. You will hit the weight limit of the container long before you run out of floor space.

Ideal Commodities:

• Raw Materials: Metals, minerals, stone, paper reels.

• Heavy Machinery: Engines, industrial parts, coils.

• Liquids/Powders: Drums of oil, sacks of cement, or sugar.