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Shipping Containers for Moving Overseas
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Are you thinking about moving overseas from Australia and wondering whether a 40ft container is the right choice? You’re not alone — You will likely need one for your overseas move, and knowing the dimensions and capacity is essential for your relocation. Keep reading to find out more about 40ft container dimensions, what fits inside, the difference between a standard and high cube container, and how much it costs to ship one abroad.
Wondering what the measurements of a 40ft shipping container are? If you are moving a large household overseas, its good to know the dimensions of a large shipping container. Below, you can find the internal and external dimensions of a 40ft shipping container:
| Measurement Type | Metric (m) |
| External Length | 12.19 m |
| External Width | 2.44 m |
| External Height | 2.59 m |
| Internal Length | 12.03 m |
| Internal Width | 2.34 m |
| Internal Height | 2.39 m |
You might be asking, what fits in a 40ft container? Below, we have listed what you can fit inside the container:
Household items:
Bedroom:
Miscellaneous:
Vehicles:
The weight of a 40-foot shipping container can be determined based on its empty weight or maximum weight.
| Weight Type | Kilograms (kg) | Notes |
| Tare Weight | 3,750 kg | Empty container |
| Max Payload | 26,700 kg | Max cargo weight |
| Gross Weight | 30,480 kg | Full Container |
On top of a standard shipping container, you can choose a high cube container. A high cube container is good for shipping large and high furniture.
| Measurement Type | Metric (m) |
| External Height | 2.89 m |
| Internal Height | 2.69 m |
| Volume | 76.4 cbm |
So, how do you know which type of container you need? We understand that having a lot of container shipping options can be confusing, and figuring out which one suits your needs best can be a challenge.
Below, we have listed a comparison of all the container shipping options for an easy comparison:
| Container Type | Length | Width | Height | Volume (cbm) |
| 20ft Standard | 6.06 m | 2.44 m | 2.59 m | 33 cbm |
| 40ft Standard | 12.19 m | 2.44 m | 2.59 m | 67 cbm |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.19 m | 2.44 m | 2.89 m | 76 cbm |
Use our volume calculator to determine the volume of your move, which might make it easier to choose the right container.
The difference between a normal 20ft shipping container and a high cube shipping container is subtle. Still, the high cube containers generally require more clearance permits due to their larger size.
Below are the costs of sending a 40ft container abroad from Australia:
| Destination | Costs (AUD) |
| New Zealand | $3,435 – $4,100 |
| Singapore | $4,040 – $4,585 |
| United Kingdom | $15,675 – $17,495 |
| United States | $16,405 – $19,435 |
| Canada | $20,865 – $23,505 |
*Disclaimer: These costs are mere estimates and can change based on route, season, and weight.
We hope that reading this article has clarified for you the details about the dimensions and capacity of a 40ft shipping container, and whether one is necessary for your move overseas. If you have any lingering questions, have a look at out FAQs and related articles.
