Everything you need to know about the different types of shipping containers — dimensions, specifications, uses, and who uses them.
The world's most traded container. A general-purpose box for dry, non-perishable cargo — from machinery to consumer goods.
Double the floor space of the 20ft. Ideal for bulk shipments of lighter cargo where volume matters more than weight.
One foot taller than standard — the preferred choice for e-commerce, furniture, and light volumetric cargo worldwide.
Refrigerated container for perishables — fruits, vegetables, pharma, meat and dairy. Maintains -30°C to +30°C.
No fixed roof — cargo is loaded from the top by crane. Used for tall machinery, steel coils, and oversized goods.
Just a floor and collapsible end walls. Ships heavy, wide, or out-of-gauge cargo like vehicles, transformers, and pipes.
A cylindrical pressure vessel in a standard ISO frame. Ships chemicals, food-grade liquids, LPG, and industrial gases.
Every container has a 4-character ISO size and type code printed on its door. The first two characters define the length and height; the last two define the type. Here are the most common type codes you'll encounter on tracking portals.
| ISO Code | Container Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| G0 / G1 | Dry General Purpose | Standard box container (no ventilation or temperature control) |
| V0 | Ventilated Container | Natural or mechanical ventilation openings in the side walls |
| R0 / R1 | Reefer (Refrigerated) | Mechanically refrigerated container with integral unit |
| H0 / H2 | Heated / Thermal | Temperature-controlled but not refrigerated — insulated walls |
| U0 | Open Top | No fixed roof; covered by a removable tarpaulin |
| P0 / P1 | Flat Rack / Platform | Floor only or floor with collapsible end walls |
| T0–T9 | Tank Container | ISO tank for liquids, gases, chemicals; T-code defines pressure rating |
| B0 | Bulk Container | Dry bulk with roof hatches and bottom discharge (grain, pellets) |
| S0 | Named Cargo | Specially fitted for specific cargo types |
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