40' HC
40-foot High Cube container
Also known as: 40HC · 40' HQ · 40HQ · High Cube · 40' High Cube · 45G1
A 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.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| ISO size-type code | 45G1 |
|---|---|
| Internal length | 12,032 mm |
| Internal width | 2,352 mm |
| Internal height | 2,698 mm |
| Door opening width | 2,340 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,585 mm |
| Tare weight | 3,900 kg |
| Max payload | 26,580 kg |
| Capacity | 76.4 m³ |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 23 |
| Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 21 |
Typical cargo
Light, bulky, or tall goods: furniture, sofas, mattresses, insulation materials, plastic goods, and mixed retail cargo.
In plain words
A standard container is 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) high on the outside. A high cube is 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 m). Inside, a 40' HC is about 2.69 m high, with about 76 m³ of space, compared with about 67 m³ in a 40' DV. It still counts as 2 TEU.
High cubes are very common on most trade lanes, and the freight is often the same or close to a 40' DV. They are good for tall items and for light cargo where every cubic metre counts. Check that the trucks and roads on your route can take the extra height.
Example from real shipping
A furniture maker ships sofas that are 1.20 m tall. In a 40' DV, it can stack only one layer with a lot of empty space above. In a 40' HC, the extra height lets it add a second layer of smaller items, so it ships 15% more per container.
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 |
|---|---|
| 40HQ | COSCO, OOCL |
| 40HC | CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC |
| 40' Dry High | Maersk |
Related terms
- 40' DVA 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.
- 45' HCA 45' HC is a high cube container that is 5 feet (about 1.5 m) longer than a 40' HC. It gives about 10 m³ more space.
- 20' DVA 20' DV is the standard 20-foot closed steel container for general dry cargo. It is the smallest common ocean container.
- 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.