20' Dry Van
Typical ISO code: 22G1
Practical reference values
- length
- ~5.9 m
- width
- ~2.35 m
- height
- ~2.39 m
- volume
- ~33 m³
- EUR pallets
- 11 EUR pallets
- payload
- ~26 t on the road (40 t)
The standard 20-foot container (dry) suits heavy, dense goods: stone, metals, liquids in IBCs. It has less volume than a 40' but carries a comparable mass, so it fills up by weight rather than by volume.
Practical reference values. We confirm the exact dimensions in the quote. Honexpres organises transport with this vehicle, on request.
Shipping lines publish slightly different values; per-line values are in the detailed specifications. On the road, the cargo weight may be limited by the total combination mass (40 t).
Request a sea freight quote with this container Road haulage of the container from the port
How the pallets fit
Indicative Honexpres drawing generated from the reference dimensions. Not a manufacturer drawing.
How it is loaded
- through the end doors (forklift, pallet truck)
- Loaded through the end doors, by forklift or by hand.
- The actual maximum gross mass is the one on the container’s CSC plate.
- On the road a heavy 20' must be centred on the chassis, and the vehicle’s permitted weight can limit loading.
Suitable for
- Stone, tiles and heavy building materials
- Metal parts and products
- Liquids in IBCs or drums
- EUR pallets with heavy goods
- heavy, dense cargo (stone, metal, liquids in IBCs)
- 11 EUR pallets
Not suitable for
- bulky, light cargo (→ 40' HC)
Comparison with related types
| Parameter | 20' Dry Van | 40' Dry Van | 40' High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~5.9 m | ~12.0 m | ~12.0 m |
| Internal width | ~2.35 m | ~2.35 m | ~2.35 m |
| Internal height | ~2.39 m | ~2.39 m | ~2.7 m |
| Volume | ~33 m³ | ~67 m³ | ~76 m³ |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | 11 EUR pallets | 25 EUR pallets | 25 EUR pallets |
| Reference payload | ~26 t on the road (40 t) | ~23 t on the road (40 t) | ~22 t on the road (40 t) |
Detailed specifications
Detailed specifications
| Parameter | Value | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~5.9 m | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
| Internal width | ~2.35 m | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
| Internal height | ~2.39 m | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
| Volume | ~33 m³ | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
| Tare | ~2.2 t | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
| Container maximum payload | ~28 t | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
| Reference payload | ~26 t on the road (40 t) | Honexpres calculation | S-DAF-XFC410-FT, S-KRONE-BOX20 |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | 11 EUR pallets | Honexpres calculation | |
| Industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm) | 9 industrial pallets | Honexpres calculation | |
| Door (width × height) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | shipping line | S-ONE-DRY, S-HL-SPEC |
- Tare: ONE 2.15 t; Hapag-Lloyd 2.25–2.35 t.
- Container maximum payload: ONE 28.33 t (gross 30.48 t); Hapag-Lloyd 28.18–30.25 t (gross 30.48–32.5 t); DSV cautiously publishes 25 t.
- Reference payload: 40 − 7.3 − 3.4 (3-axle chassis) − 2.25 = 27.05 t; minus 1 t.
- EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm): Calculation: one crosswise band (7) + one lengthwise band (4). Market standard.
- Industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm): The widespread claim of “10” does not fit geometrically for 1.2 × 1.0 m (09 §5.1.4).
Representative models (manufacturers and lines)
| Inside (mm) | 5,898 / 2,350 / 2,390 |
|---|---|
| Door (mm) | 2,340 / 2,280 |
| Volume (m³) | 33.1 |
| Tare (kg) | 2,150 |
| Payload (kg) | 28,330 |
| Max. gross (kg) | 30,480 |
Source: ONE — Dry containers: specifications · accessed 2026-09-26
| Inside (mm) | 5,898 / 5,900, 2,352, 2,393 / 2,395 |
|---|---|
| Door (mm) | 2,340, 2,280 / 2,292 |
| Volume (m³) | 33 / 33.2 |
| Tare (kg) | 2,250 / 2,570 |
| Payload (kg) | 28,180 / 30,250 |
| Max. gross (kg) | 30,480 / 32,500 |
| Floor height (mm) | 170 |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · accessed 2026-09-26
| Payload (kg) | 25,000 |
|---|---|
| Note | cautious value |
Source: DSV — dry container · accessed 2026-09-23
Legal limits Requires legal validation
Requires legal validation
- Maximum mass on the road: 40 t combination; 44 t intermodal (in Romania only on category R roads)
- Maximum height: 4.00 m on the road (container + chassis)
- Maximum gross mass (ISO): 36,000 kg ISO 668 (Amd. 2016); the real value is on the CSC plate
- VGM (verified gross mass): VGM mandatory for sea export (SOLAS VI/2, from 1 July 2016)
09 §1.1–1.2 (96/53, 2015/719) · 09 §1.4 (OG 43) · 09 §3.1 (ISO 668, CSC plate) · 09 §3.4 (VGM, SOLAS) · 09 §3.5 (road weights)
Exceptions and limitations
- The real gross mass is on the CSC plate (30.48–32.5 t at the lines cited).
- At 44 t in intermodal transport (category R road) more fits (INFERENCE ~+2.5 t, with a 3-axle tractor unit UNVERIFIED).
- A heavy 20' is centred on the chassis (axle loads).
Sources and verification
Confidence level: high — Two lines (ONE current, Hapag-Lloyd 2016) and DSV agree on the dimensions; the payload differs between lines and is explained.
- DAF XFC 410 FT 4x2 Tractor — specification sheet · DAF Trucks UK · accessed 2026-09-26
- DSV — dry container · DSV · accessed 2026-09-23
- Directive (EU) 2015/719 · Publications Office UE · accessed 2026-09-23
- Directive 96/53/EC, consolidated 14.08.2019 · Publications Office UE · accessed 2026-09-23
- Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · Hapag-Lloyd · accessed 2026-09-26
- IMO — Verification of the gross mass · IMO · accessed 2026-09-23
- Krone Box Liner SDC 27 eL20 (3 axles, 20') — datasheet · Krone · accessed 2026-09-23
- OG 43/1997 republished, consolidated 17.09.2026 (hosted by CNAIR) · CNAIR · accessed 2026-09-23
- ONE — Dry containers: specifications · Ocean Network Express (ONE) · accessed 2026-09-26
- Wikipedia — Intermodal container (cites ISO 668) · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-23
Reference dataset 2026.09.27-1
When should I choose a 20' rather than a 40'?
When the goods are heavy and dense: a 20' fills up by weight. For bulky, light goods, a 40' high cube fits better.
Services using this type
Dangerous goods transport (ADR)
dangerous goods, with ADR-authorised carriers
Container haulage
containers from the port or terminal, by road
Sea freight (FCL / LCL)
full containers (FCL) or groupage (LCL)
Rail and intermodal transport
rail and rail–road combinations
Alternatives
40' Dry Van
~12.0 m · ~2.35 m · ~2.39 m · ~67 m³ · 25 EUR pallets · ~23 t on the road (40 t)
40' High Cube
~12.0 m · ~2.35 m · ~2.7 m · ~76 m³ · 25 EUR pallets · ~22 t on the road (40 t)