Home / Container loading capacity: 20GP vs 40GP vs 40HQ
Container loading capacity: 20GP vs 40GP vs 40HQ
Container choice changes both freight cost and how much cargo you fit. These are the practical numbers used when quoting China exports.
| Type | Usable CBM | Max payload | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP (20ft standard) | ≈33 | ≈28 t | Dense cargo, heavy goods |
| 40GP (40ft standard) | ≈67 | ≈26 t | General cargo |
| 40HQ (40ft high cube) | ≈76 | ≈26 t | Light bulky cargo, furniture, textiles |
| 45HQ | ≈86 | ≈27 t | Maximum volume, limited lane availability |
Cost per CBM falls sharply from 20GP to 40HQ on most lanes — check the specific lane in the lane index before choosing.