40ft High Cube Reefer (HC) Guide: The Global Cold Chain Standard

If you are buying bananas from Ecuador, Lamb from New Zealand, or French Fries from Belgium, they almost certainly arrived in a 40ft High Cube Reefer.

Listed in the TraceContainer.com system as "40 Reefer High Cube" or "40 HCR", this container is the undisputed king of temperature-controlled shipping. While standard reefers exist, the High Cube variation dominates the market because it solves a critical problem: Insulation takes up space.

This guide explains why the 40ft HC Reefer is the default choice for global food and pharma trade.

What is a 40ft High Cube Reefer?

It is a 40ft long refrigerated container with an external height of 9ft 6in (2.9m) one foot taller than a standard container.

• The Cooling: It features a built-in refrigeration unit (Carrier, Thermo King, or Daikin) capable of maintaining temperatures between -30°C and +30°C.

• The Structure: The walls are thick "sandwich panels" filled with polyurethane foam for insulation.

Why High Cube? (The Volume Problem)

In a standard height reefer (8'6"), the thick floor insulation (to let air flow) and ceiling insulation significantly reduce the vertical loading space.

• The Solution: The High Cube (9'6") adds that extra foot of height back.

• The Result: This allows you to stack pallets to a standard height without blocking the airflow, making it much more economical than a standard 40ft reefer.

40ft High Cube Reefer Dimensions

Note: The internal length is shorter than a dry box because the machinery takes up space at the front.

Key Features for Shippers

1. T-Bar Floor: The floor looks like metal grating. Cold air is pumped down and flows under the cargo through these T-bars, then rises up through the pallets. Never cover the floor completely with flat cardboard you will choke the airflow and spoil the cargo.

2. The "Red Line": Inside every reefer, there is a red line painted near the ceiling. Cargo must never be stacked above this line, or it will block the return air to the cooling unit.

3. Gensets: Unlike dry boxes, reefers need power. On the road, they require a "Clip-on Genset" (Generator) to keep running.

What Can You Ship?

• Frozen Goods: Meat, seafood, french fries, ice cream.

• Chilled Goods: Fruit, vegetables, dairy, wine.

• Pharma: Vaccines and medicines requiring strict temperature logs.

Track Your Cold Chain

Temperature deviations can happen anywhere. Monitoring your reefer is about more than just location—it's about ensuring the integrity of your product. Track your 40ft High Cube Reefer globally with TraceContainer.com.

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