20ft and 40ft container: Best guide to sizes [+How to choose]

25 Sep.,2023

 

How much can you fit in a 20ft and 40ft container?

To give you more idea about how much cargo a 20ft vs 40ft containers can carry, let’s consider Euro-pallets. A 20ft container can carry 11 Euro-pallets in one-tier. When it comes to the standard pallets, a 20ft can hold 9-10 pallets in one tier. Whereas, a 40ft container can carry between 23-24 Euro pallets and 20-21 standard pallets in one tier.

20ft vs 40ft container: Which one is the right for you? 

Now that you know the size and capacity of 20ft and 40ft containers, it’s time to decide which one you should purchase for shipping your cargo. Here are a few factors to consider. 

Cost

While the price of 20ft containers is usually less than 40ft containers, the price difference is only marginal. A 20ft container is usually around 75% of the price of a 40ft. Therefore, if you are going to transport a large amount of cargo, you should ideally choose 40ft containers – as it will be more economical than buying two 20ft containers. We’ll discuss more about the price differences later in the blog to give you a better understanding.

Volume vs weight

Based on parameters like weight-to-volume ratio and weight distribution, each container is built to hold certain cargo. It is due to these ratios that 20ft containers are ideal for transporting dense or heavy cargo like machinery, metals, cement, and sugar.

Similarly, 40ft containers are ideal for carrying a larger volume of cargo. A 40′ container can’t hold twice as much weight as a 20ft container, but it can hold more than twice as much volume. That’s why they’re usually the best option for shipments like furniture or steel pipes.

Your cargo volume

Ultimately, the choice between 20ft and 40ft containers depends on your cargo. If your cargo can’t fit inside 20ft containers or requires two 20ft containers, you should buy 40ft containers instead. However, if you have to transport only a small amount of cargo that  can easily fit in 20ft containers, then you should buy 20ft containers. 

Now you’re fully equipped to make a decision between buying 20ft or 40ft containers. And what other place to buy containers is better than Container xChange? On our platform, you can choose between 50,000+ containers in 2500+ locations globally. Simply click the banner below to find container deals in your location.

Difference between 20ft and 40ft container prices 

We’ve already mentioned that 20ft containers cost less than 40ft containers. To give you more idea, take a look at the average prices of both these containers in different locations. 

20ft and 40ft container prices (cargo-worthy)

Location

20ft 

40ft 

China

$1246

$1533

USA

$1436

$1938

India

$1111

$1893

Europe 

$1246

$2422

UAE

$1150

$2251

As you can see, the prices of containers vary from one location to another. From the prices above, you can analyze that buying 40ft containers from China makes more sense than buying the same containers from Europe. 

However, the prices of containers keep changing. To make the best deals, you need to stay updated about the market prices of containers. Read on to see how you can do that.

Get real-time container prices for 20ft and 40ft containers 

Being part of the shipping industry, it’s important that you keep track of container prices to maximize your profits. If you still rely on your local network to inform you about the current market prices, there’s a better way.

We present to you xChange Insights. On Insights, you can access container prices in 110+ locations globally. All you have to do is select your desired location, container type and condition.

You can even see price development for a week, month, or even several years. This way, you can analyze the pricing trends and identify the best time to buy, sell or lease out your equipment.

From the graph above, you can see a significant difference in the prices of 40ft cargo-worthy containers in Antwerp and Texas. The price in Antwerp is around $1500 while in Texas it is around $2200. 

With Insights, it’s easy to see market prices in different locations and make the best deals. Now instead of buying containers from Texas, you can buy them from Antwerp and save close to $1000! And get them easily relocated from our leasing platform. 

With Insights, you can access this information easily and buy containers at cheaper prices from different locations! Want to know more benefits of Insights for your business? Click here to try Insights for free today. 

Buy and lease 20ft and 40 containers at best prices on xChange

Now that you know how to access real-time container prices, the final step is to source 20ft and 40ft containers at the best prices.

At Container xChange, you can easily lease, buy or sell containers in 2500+ locations globally. Just fill in your requirements on the platform, including container type, condition and location. You’ll then be presented with multiple offers to choose from.

You can browse through the offers from vetted container owners and compare them in one dashboard. Since you already have knowledge of prices through Insights — you can easily find the best deal and negotiate further. 

Plus, all our members go through a vetting process. It makes our platform a safe space for you to expand your business to new markets. And speaking of safety, xChange wallet ensures your money is safe and all your transactions are going smoothly. 

We don’t charge any commission on your deals and offer 100% market transparency. So you can be sure that you’re paying the market price (or even less) on xChange. 

Container xChange is the all-in-one online platform for all your shipping needs. Simply click the banner below to find the best deals on 20ft and 40ft containers and buy them at the best prices!

20ft and 40ft Containers: Common FAQs

How much does a 40ft container cost?

A 40ft container in cargo-worthy condition costs anywhere between $1500 to $2500. The price depends on a variety of factors like location, demand and supply.

How much does a 20ft container cost?

A 20ft container in cargo-worthy condition costs between $1000 to $1500. The price depends on the location and the demand and supply of containers.

What is the difference between 20ft and 40ft containers?

The main difference between 20ft and 40ft containers is the size. A 40ft container is double the size of a 20ft container. A 20ft container can carry 11 Euro-pallets in one tier while a 40ft container can carry between 23 and 24 Euro pallets in one- tier.

If you have any questions on 20ft container home. We will give the professional answers to your questions.