What are the dimensions and capacity of a 40HQ container?
Quick answer40HQ: internal ~12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m, ~76 m³, door opening ~2.58 m high. Plan on loading 68–72 m³ (allow 5–10% for stowage loss). Weight limit is the real constraint on many lanes — US road limits often cap cargo at 19–21.5 t even though the box can hold more.
Dimensions at a glance
External: 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m. Internal height is about 30 cm more than a 40GP, which is why it carries ~9 m³ more.
Door opening height ~2.58 m versus ~2.28 m on a 40GP — decisive for tall machinery or stacked pallets.
Tare weight is around 3.7–3.9 t, higher than a 40GP.
How much actually fits
Cartons rarely divide evenly into the internal dimensions; corners are wasted.
Palletised cargo: standard 1.2 × 1.0 m pallets fit about 20–21 in a single layer.
Light bulky cargo (furniture, textiles, plastics) is volume-limited; dense cargo is weight-limited.
| Spec | 40HQ |
|---|---|
| Internal L × W × H | ~12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m |
| Capacity | ~76 m³ (practical 68–72) |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg |
| Tare weight | ~3.8 t |
| Door height | ~2.58 m |
| Pallets (1.2 × 1.0 m) | ~20–21 single layer |
Frequently asked questions
- How many cartons fit?
- Divide your carton volume into 68–72 m³, not 76 m³ — stowage loss is real and trying to hit the theoretical maximum usually fails.
- Is 40HQ always better than 40GP?
- Usually yes for light cargo: the rate premium is small (sometimes zero) and capacity is ~12% higher.
Need a live rate for your lane? Search free on jhz56.com — 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ quotes from multiple forwarders, no sign-up required.
Related
qa/20gp 40gp 40hq difference
qa/how many pallets in a container
Rates from China to all countries
Weekly China export freight index
Source: Juhe Zhuang rate platform (jhz56.com) market data and carrier documentation. Figures are reference ranges, not transaction prices; verify with your forwarder before booking.