Free tool
Internal dimensions, weight limits and CBM capacity for the four standard ocean-freight containers. Use the calculator at the bottom to estimate how many of your boxes fit in each.
Best for: dense cargo (machine parts, tiles, drinks). Often "weighs out" before it "cubes out".
Best for: general cargo (textiles, packaged goods). The freight workhorse globally.
Best for: bulky low-density cargo (furniture, foam, household goods). 30 cm extra height = 13% more volume.
Best for: high-volume light cargo. Available on most lanes but allocations are tighter than 40ft HC.
Internal dimensions are nominal (ISO standard). Actual containers vary ±2 cm. Door clearance is the binding constraint for over-sized cargo.
Estimate by volume. Real-world stowage usually achieves 80–90% of theoretical fit due to dunnage and irregular shapes — the calculator applies a 0.85 utilisation factor by default.
Choose by volume, not by length. A 20ft container that "weighs out" before it "cubes out" is wasted volume. Compute total CBM first, then pick the smallest container that holds it.
High Cube vs Standard. For Kuwait-bound LCL consolidations or any low-density cargo, 40ft HC is almost always the right call — 13% more volume for typically 5% more cost.
Door clearance is the silent constraint. A pallet that "fits" the internal width may not pass through the doors. Always check both internal and door dimensions for over-sized items.
Kuwait port weight limits. Shuwaikh and Shuaiba accept the full ISO payload, but the road from port to your warehouse may have axle-weight limits — for a 27-tonne FCL, plan for a tri-axle trailer at the Kuwait end.
When LCL beats FCL. Below ~14 CBM, LCL is usually cheaper than a 20ft FCL even at premium rates. Above ~16 CBM, FCL is almost always better. The break-even is lane-dependent — ask for a quote if you're in the gap.
A TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is the industry's standardised volume unit. One 20ft container = 1 TEU; one 40ft = 2 TEU; one 40ft HC and 45ft HC are both still 2 TEU even though they hold more cargo. Carriers price slot allocation in TEU.
No — 40ft typically costs 25–40% more than 20ft on the same lane, but holds 2× the volume. If your cargo fits a 40ft (or 40ft HC), it is almost always cheaper per CBM than a 20ft. The exception is dense cargo that "weighs out" early.
Yes, but allocations are tighter than 40ft HC and the road handling at the Kuwait end requires confirmation with the trucker before booking. For most cargo, two 40ft HCs are easier to handle than one 45ft.
Specialised equipment is available on most lanes into Kuwait. Internal dimensions are similar to standard but stowage and surcharges differ significantly. Ask for a specific quote if you need reefer, flat rack, open top, or tank containers.
The numbers above are theoretical. The actual cost depends on origin, destination, current carrier rates and surcharges, and the specifics of your cargo.
Volumetric weight, Incoterms 2020 reference, Kuwait customs duty rates.
