Container Comparison
40ft Standard vs 40ft High Cube Container Compared
Compare 40ft standard and 40ft High Cube containers. See the extra height, volume gain, pallet stacking differences, and when the HC is worth the premium.
Quick answer
A 40ft High Cube is 30cm taller than a standard 40ft (2.69m vs 2.39m internal height), providing 8.6 CBM more volume (76.3 vs 67.7 CBM). The HC costs only 5-15% more but gives 13% more space — making it the better choice whenever your cargo can benefit from the extra height.
40ft Standard Container vs 40ft High Cube Container — Specs Compared
| Specification | 40ft Standard Container | 40ft High Cube Container |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Length | 12.03m | 12.03m |
| Internal Width | 2.35m | 2.35m |
| Internal Height | 2.39m | 2.69m |
| Internal Volume | 67.7 CBM | 76.3 CBM |
| Max Payload | 26,680 kg | 26,460 kg |
| Pallet Capacity | 21 euro pallets (floor loaded) | 21 euro pallets (with extra stacking height) |
| Best For | Standard cargo that fits within 2.39m height | Tall cargo, double-stacked pallets, volume-sensitive shipments |
When to Choose Each
Choose 40ft Standard Container when:
- Your cargo doesn't exceed 2.39m in height
- You're shipping heavy items and need max payload
- HC containers aren't available on your route
- Cost per container matters more than space
Choose 40ft High Cube Container when:
- You need to double-stack pallets
- Items are taller than 2.39m
- You're shipping volume-sensitive (light, bulky) cargo
- You want to reduce the number of containers needed
Not sure which fits your cargo?
Enter your items into JustLoad.it and see exactly how they fit in both options. The 3D visualization makes it obvious.
FAQ
40ft vs 40ft High Cube FAQ
A 40ft High Cube is 30cm (approximately 1 foot) taller internally — 2.69m versus 2.39m. This extra height adds 8.6 CBM of usable volume.
Usually yes. The HC costs only 5-15% more but provides 13% more volume. If your cargo can use the extra height (e.g., double-stacked pallets, tall items), the per-CBM cost is lower.
Yes. The extra 30cm height often allows double-stacking pallets that won't fit stacked in a standard container. For example, two 120cm-tall pallet stacks (total 2.40m) fit in an HC but not a standard.
Yes, slightly. The taller structure adds about 220kg to the tare weight, reducing maximum payload from 26,680kg to 26,460kg — a negligible difference for most shipments.
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