Which Container Do You Need? A Simple Guide to Picking the Perfect Box

Shipping internationally is expensive. But do you know what’s even more expensive? Choosing the wrong container.

Pick a box that is too small, and you leave cargo behind. Pick one that is too big, and you pay to ship air. Pick the wrong type, and your goods could arrive spoiled or damaged.

At TraceContainer.com, we see thousands of shipments every day. The smartest shippers don't just guess they follow a simple logic. 

Here is how to decide which container is perfect for your cargo.

Which Container Do You Need? A Simple Guide to Picking the Perfect Box

Question 1: What are you shipping?

This is the starting point. The nature of your goods dictates the "Category."

• General Goods (Boxes, Pallets, Toys): You need a Dry Van (Standard Container).

• Perishables (Fruit, Meat, Medicine): You need a Reefer. (Remember: Reefers need power!)

• Liquids (Wine, Oil, Chemicals):

  • Hazardous? You must use an ISO Tank.

  • Non-Hazardous (Wine/Juice)? You can save money by using a Flexi Tank inside a standard 20ft box.

• Oversized (Yachts, Machinery): You need a Flat Rack or Open Top.

Question 2: Heavy or Bulky? (The "Weigh Out" vs. "Cube Out" Rule)

Once you know the category, you need to pick the size (20ft vs. 40ft). This is where math comes in.

Scenario A: The "Heavy" Shipment

• Cargo: Steel coils, tiles, paper reels, canned food, liquids.

• The Logic: These items are dense. A small stack weighs a ton.

• The Choice: 20ft Standard.

  • Why? A 20ft container can carry roughly 28,000 kg. A 40ft container can also only carry roughly 28,000 kg. If you used a 40ft, you would hit the max weight limit when the box is only half full. Why pay for the extra space?

Scenario B: The "Bulky" Shipment

• Cargo: Furniture, plastic toys, cotton, footwear, electronics.

• The Logic: These items are light but take up a lot of room. You will run out of space long before you hit the weight limit.

• The Choice: 40ft High Cube.

  • Why? It gives you massive volume (76 cubic meters). It is the cheapest "Cost Per Cubic Meter" option.

Question 3: How are you loading it?

Sometimes the cargo fits, but you can't get it inside.

• Forklift: Use a Standard Dry container.

• Crane (From the top): You need an Open Top or Hard Top.

• Crane (From the side): You need a Flat Rack.

Question 4: The Hidden Trap – "Payload vs. Road Limits"

Here is a pro tip that saves fines.

Just because a container can hold 28,000 kg doesn't mean the truck carrying it can legally drive on the road.

• In the USA: Road weight limits are very strict. A standard truck often cannot carry a fully loaded 20ft container (over 20,000 kg) without a special permit.

• The Fix: If you are shipping very heavy loads to the US interior, you might actually need to under-load your container to keep it road-legal.

Quick Cheat Sheet: Choosing the right shipping container 

If your cargo is...

1. Heavy & Small (Metal, Stone): 20ft Standard

2. Light & Big (Clothes, Furniture): 40ft High Cube

3. Tall (> 2.6m) (Tall Machinery): Open Top or Flat Rack

4. Liquid (Safe) (Wine, Oil): 20ft Flexi Tank

5. Liquid (Dangerous) (Acids): ISO Tank

6. Frozen / Chilled (Food): 40ft High Cube Reefer

Summary

Don't just book "a container." Book the right container. It is the difference between a smooth shipment and a logistical nightmare.

Once you have booked it, 

head over to TraceContainer.com to track it.