20ft Dry Container (20GP)

What Is a 20ft Dry Container?

The 20-foot dry container, also called a 20GP (General Purpose) or TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), is the standard building block of global container shipping. It is a fully enclosed, weatherproof steel box designed to carry dry, non-perishable goods.

The TEU is so fundamental to shipping that global trade volumes are measured in TEUs — when carriers report capacity, they measure in twenty-foot equivalent units. More than 70% of all dry cargo containers in service are 20ft or 40ft standard boxes.

Full Dimensions & Specifications

What Can You Ship in a 20ft Container?

Advantages of a 20ft Dry Container

• Universally available — the most widely stocked container type at every port worldwide.
• Ideal for dense, heavy cargo — payload capacity is very high relative to its volume.
• Easy to handle — fits on standard flatbed trucks without oversize permits in most countries.
• Lower freight cost — cheaper per unit than a 40ft for small-volume, heavy shipments.
• Flexible stacking — can be stacked up to 9 high at container terminals.

20ft vs 40ft — Which Should You Use?

Choose a 20ft when your cargo is heavy (near the max payload) but not bulky — you'll hit the weight limit before filling the container. Choose a 40ft when your cargo is light but voluminous — furniture, plastics, or apparel — where you fill the box by volume long before reaching the weight limit.

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