40' RH
40-foot High Cube Reefer container
Also known as: 40RH · 40' HR · 40RQ · 40' HC Reefer · 40' RF HC · 40' Reefer High Cube · 45R1
A 40' RH is a 40-foot high cube refrigerated container. It is the most common reefer in use today.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| ISO size-type code | 45R1 |
|---|---|
| Internal length | 11,580 mm |
| Internal width | 2,290 mm |
| Internal height | 2,550 mm |
| Door opening width | 2,290 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,560 mm |
| Tare weight | 4,480 kg |
| Max payload | 29,520 kg |
| Capacity | 67.7 m³ |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 23 |
| Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 20 |
| Temperature range | -30 – +30 °C |
Typical cargo
Fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled meat and dairy, frozen food, flowers, and pharmaceuticals.
In plain words
It is about 30 cm taller than a standard-height 40' reefer, which is now rare. Inside, it holds about 67 m³, and most units keep set points from about −30 °C to +30 °C. Some units also offer controlled atmosphere (CA), which adjusts oxygen and carbon dioxide to keep fruit fresh longer.
Every reefer should pass a pre-trip inspection (PTI) before release. In the booking, give the set point, the ventilation (open or closed), and the humidity setting. Load the cargo pre-cooled, leave space for air at the doors and the top, and never load above the red load line. On road legs, a genset powers the unit.
Example from real shipping
An exporter ships bananas from Latin America to Mersin in a 40' RH set at +13.3 °C with ventilation open. The line provides a PTI'd unit, the cargo is loaded pre-cooled, and the temperature log is shared with the buyer on arrival.
Codes used by shipping lines
Examples only. Codes differ between lines and booking systems, so always check the ISO size-type code on your booking.
| Code | Often seen with |
|---|---|
| 40RH | CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC |
| 40RQ | COSCO, OOCL |
| 40' Reefer High | Maersk |
Related terms
- 20' RFA 20' RF is a 20-foot refrigerated container. It has its own cooling unit and is used for heavy temperature-controlled cargo.
- Reefer containerA reefer is a refrigerated container. It has its own cooling unit and keeps the cargo at a set temperature during the journey.
- 40' HCA 40' HC is a 40-foot container that is about 30 cm (one foot) taller than a standard 40'. It gives more space for light, bulky cargo.
- Container typesA side-by-side comparison of the common shipping container types: sizes, weights, capacity, pallet places, and typical cargo.
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Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.