Containers on the road: sizes and weights
Typical inside dimensions and tare weights of standard boxes, and a quick check of how heavy the loaded container may be on a German road.
| Type | Inside length (m) | Inside width (m) | Inside height (m) | Typical tare (kg) | Typical max. gross (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 5.90 | 2.35 | 2.39 | 2,200 | 30,480 |
| 40 ft standard | 12.03 | 2.35 | 2.39 | 3,750 | 30,480 |
| 40 ft high cube | 12.03 | 2.35 | 2.69 | 3,900 | 30,480 |
| 45 ft high cube | 13.56 | 2.35 | 2.70 | 4,800 | 30,480 |
Typical values. The figures that count are printed on the container door and on its safety approval (CSC) plate. Many newer boxes are rated for a higher maximum gross weight.
How heavy may the container be on the road?
The truck, the container chassis and the container together must stay within the legal limit.
Maximum gross weight of the loaded container
27,000 kg
Axle loads apply on top of the total: a heavy 20 ft box placed off-centre can overload one axle long before the total is reached.
The 44 tonne rule in plain words
Most articulated trucks in Germany may weigh up to 40 tonnes in total.
For containers and swap bodies of up to 45 feet carried in combined transport, § 34 paragraph 6 number 6 of the German vehicle licensing regulation (StVZO) allows 44 tonnes with a three-axle tractor.
Combined transport means the road leg is part of a chain with rail, inland waterway or sea. Whether a particular move qualifies depends on the route, so we check it before quoting.
A heavy box to move?
Send the container number and gross weight. We confirm what is possible before you book.