40' DV
40-foot Dry Van container
Also known as: 40DV · 40' DC · 40DC · 40' GP · 40GP · 40' ST · 40' STD · 40' Standard · 40' Dry · 42G1
A 40' DV is the standard 40-foot closed steel container for general dry cargo. It has about twice the space of a 20' container, but not twice the weight limit.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| ISO size-type code | 42G1 |
|---|---|
| Internal length | 12,032 mm |
| Internal width | 2,352 mm |
| Internal height | 2,393 mm |
| Door opening width | 2,340 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,280 mm |
| Tare weight | 3,750 kg |
| Max payload | 26,730 kg |
| Capacity | 67.7 m³ |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 23 |
| Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 21 |
Typical cargo
Light but bulky goods: furniture, textiles and clothing, household goods, toys, and packed consumer products.
In plain words
Inside, a 40' DV is about 12.0 m long, 2.35 m wide, and 2.39 m high, with about 67 m³ of space. It counts as 2 TEU. Its height is the same as a 20' container.
The 40' is good for light but bulky cargo, like furniture, textiles, or packed consumer goods. Its weight limit is only a little higher than a 20' container, so heavy cargo is often better in 20' containers. The freight for a 40' is usually less than the price of two 20' containers.
Example from real shipping
An importer buys 1,800 cartons of plastic household goods. The cartons fill about 60 m³ but weigh only 9 tonnes. One 40' DV holds everything and costs less than two 20' containers, so the importer books a 40' DV.
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 |
|---|---|
| 40GP | COSCO, OOCL |
| 40DV | MSC |
| 40ST | CMA CGM |
| 40' STD | Hapag-Lloyd |
| 40' Dry | Maersk |
Related terms
- 20' DVA 20' DV is the standard 20-foot closed steel container for general dry cargo. It is the smallest common ocean container.
- 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.
- TEUTEU is the standard unit for counting containers. One 20-foot container is 1 TEU, and one 40-foot container is 2 TEU.
- Container typesA side-by-side comparison of the common shipping container types: sizes, weights, capacity, pallet places, and typical cargo.
Have a shipment in mind?
Tell us about your cargo, and we will explain the documents and costs for your route.
Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.