Container and truck loading calculator
Steel is loaded to weight, not volume. Enter the order tonnage to see how many containers or trucks it takes; the length limits below decide whether a product fits at all.
Dimensions and limits
| Unit | Internal L × W × H (m) | Payload | Practical steel load | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' DV | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 21.5–28 t | 20–21 t | Coils, plate ≤ 5.8 m, pipe ≤ 5.8 m, sheets 2.5 / 3 m |
| 40' HC | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | 26.5 t | 24–25 t | Sections and pipe ≤ 12 m, panels ≤ 11.8 m, plate 6 m |
| 40' flat-rack | 12.0 × 2.4 (open) | 40 t | 30–35 t | Beams to 13.5 m (over-length), rolled shells, machinery |
| 13.6 m tautliner truck | 13.6 × 2.45 × 2.7 | 24 t | 22 t | Panels ≤ 13.5 m, sections, coils on cradles (EU, Balkans, Iraq) |
| Breakbulk | n/a | n/a | by lot | Beams to 18 m, heavy plate, spiral pipe |
Loading practice
- Coils: eye-to-sky on timber cradles, lashed and chocked; max 3 coils per 20' at 7 t each.
- Plate: max 6 m in a 40' HC (door width), packs to 5 t, dunnage between packs.
- Sections and pipe: bundled, strapped, chocked against the walls; 12 m in a 40' HC.
- Sandwich panels: packs to 2.4 m high, film-wrapped; 9–10 packs per 40' HC.
- Galvanized and PPGI: VCI paper and desiccant for sea voyages over 14 days.
Weights per piece: weight calculator. Routes and documents: export logistics.
FAQ
How many tons of steel fit in a 20-foot container?
Payload limit is about 21.5–28 t depending on the box, but most ports and roads cap gross weight at 24–26 t, so 20–21 t of coil or plate is the practical load. Steel is weight-limited, not volume-limited.
How many tons in a 40-foot container?
26.5 t payload; usually 24–25 t is loaded because the tare (3.8–4.0 t) plus cargo must stay under the 30.48 t gross limit and destination road limits.
Can beams over 12 m go in a container?
No — a 40' HC has 12.03 m internal length. Beams to 18 m ship on flat-racks or breakbulk; sandwich panels over 11.8 m by truck or flat-rack.