THE GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
| Type | Cubic Capacity | Tare Weight | Payload Weight | Gross Weight | Length / Width / Height |
| 20 Footer | 33.2 cubic meters (1,170 cubic feet) | 2,150 kg - 2,220 kg (4,740 lb - 4,894 lb) | 21,850 kg - 28,160 kg (48,171 lb - 62,082 lb) | 24,000 kg - 30,480 kg (52,911 lb - 67,197 lb) | 6.058 m / 2.438 m / 2.591 m (20'0" / 8'0" / 8'6") |
| 40 Footer | 67.7 cubic meters (2,391 cubic feet) | 3,720 kg - 3,740 kg (8,201 lb - 8,245 lb) | 26,760 kg - 28,760 kg (58,996 lb - 63,405 lb) | 30,480 kg - 32,500 kg (67,197 lb - 71,650 lb) | 12.192 m / 2.438 m / 2.591 m (40'0" / 8'0" / 8'6") |
| 40 Footer High Cube | 76.4 cubic meters (2,700 cubic feet) | 3,730 kg - 3,950 kg (8,223 lb - 8,708 lb) | 26,750 kg - 28,550 kg (58,974 lb - 62,942 lb) | 30,480 kg - 32,500 kg (67,197 lb - 71,650 lb) | 12.192 m / 2.438 m / 2.896 m (40'0" / 8'0" / 9'6") |
| 40 Footer High Cube Reefer | 67.7 cubic meters (2,391 cubic feet) | 4,810 kg (10,604 lb) | 29,190 kg (64,353 lb) | 34,000 kg (74,957 lb) | 12.192 m / 2.438 m / 2.896 m (40'0" / 8'0" / 9'6") |
| 45 Footer High Cube | 86.5 cubic meters (3,055 cubic feet) | 4,740 kg (10,450 lb) | 28,280 kg (62,350 lb) | 33,020 kg (72,800 lb) | 13.716 m / / 2.438 m / 2.896 m (45'0" / 8'0" / 9'6") |
| 48 Footer High Cube | 98.8 cubic meters (3,489 cubic feet) | 5,140 kg (10,865 lb) | 25,340 kg (56,350 lb) | 30,480 kg (67,197 lb) | 14.630 m / 2.591 m / 2.908 m (48'0" / 8'6" / 9'6 1/2") |
Source: adapted from APL, Equipment Specifications, http://www.apl.com/equipment/.
The above table underlines several options in container size. Many shippers prefer to use the largest load unit possible (e.g. 40 footer high cube) because it conveys economies of scale. However, weight restrictions can make the 20 footer a desirable option, particularly for the transport of commodities. For instance, the weight restrictions on both the regular and the high cube forty footers are at around 30 short tons (or 28 metric tons), essentially the same than a 20 footer, so there are no gains in using a high cube container for ponderous goods. Payload weight even gets smaller with 45 and 48 foot containers, underlining their specific role for the transport of goods that are bulky but comparatively light. The majority of container are made with weathering steel (Corten steel) which prevents rusting.