40HC Container Dimensions, Capacity & Shipping from Japan
The internal dimensions, volume and maximum payload of a 40-foot high cube (40HC) container, compared with standard 20ft and 40ft dry containers, for buyers booking cargo out of Japan.
0140HC internal dimensions and volume
A 40-foot high cube (40HC) is a standard 40-foot dry container with the roof raised roughly 30 cm (about 1 ft). Length and width are identical to a standard 40-foot dry container (40DV) — only the height changes, which is the one detail worth remembering when you’re comparing container types for a booking.
| Internal dimensions (L x W x H) | approx. 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.69 m (39’5″ x 7’8″ x 8’10”) |
|---|---|
| Internal volume | approx. 76 m³ (2,690 cu ft) |
| Door opening (W x H) | approx. 2.34 x 2.58 m (7’8″ x 8’6″) |
| Maximum gross weight | approx. 30,480 kg (67,200 lb) |
| Tare weight (empty container) | approx. 3,900–4,000 kg (8,600–8,800 lb) |
| Maximum payload | approx. 26,500 kg (58,400 lb)varies by individual unit |
These figures are typical values for standard equipment. Actual internal dimensions, tare weight and maximum payload differ slightly from one physical container to the next and are stamped on the door of each unit. For load planning that needs to be exact, confirm against the specific container assigned after booking.
0240HC vs. 20DV and 40DV
Even though a 40HC and a standard 40DV share the same footprint, the extra ceiling height adds roughly 9 m³ of usable volume. If your cargo is constrained by volume rather than weight, that difference is often enough to justify choosing the high cube over the standard dry box.
| 20DV | approx. 5.90 x 2.35 x 2.39 m / approx. 33 m³ (1,165 cu ft) |
|---|---|
| 40DV | approx. 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m / approx. 67 m³ (2,365 cu ft) |
| 40HC | approx. 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.69 m / approx. 76 m³ (2,690 cu ft) |
Maximum payload does not scale up much between a 20-foot and a 40-foot container — both are built around similar road-transport weight limits. In practice this makes the choice fairly simple: put dense, heavy cargo in a 20-foot box and bulky, lighter cargo in a 40HC. Trying to fill a 20-footer to its weight limit with dense goods can also run into road weight restrictions on the trucking leg at either end, so it’s worth checking that before you commit to a container size.
03How much cargo actually fits
The 76 m³ figure is the volume of the empty box — in practice you won’t use all of it. Pallet height, whether cartons can be double-stacked, and the gaps needed for lashing and bracing all eat into that number. Planning around roughly 80% of the stated volume as your realistic usable capacity is a safer starting point than working from the nominal figure.
How many standard pallets fit on the floor depends on orientation — loading pallets lengthwise down the container versus across it changes the count. If your cargo is already palletized with known dimensions, share those measurements with us and we can work through the stowage plan with you before booking.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Is a 40HC more expensive to ship than a standard 40ft dry container?
Ocean freight for a 40HC is typically the same as a 40DV, or only slightly higher — the price gap is usually much smaller than the volume gap between the two. For cargo that is bulky rather than heavy, the extra capacity of a 40HC usually works out cheaper per cubic meter shipped.
Are there destinations where a 40HC can’t be used?
Yes. On the inland leg, roads or tunnels with height restrictions, or certain rail networks, may not be able to handle the extra height of a 40HC. If your final destination is inland rather than a port city, it’s worth checking this before booking a high cube.
What happens if a container is loaded over its weight limit?
The carrier can refuse to load it, or require part of the cargo to be removed before it will accept the container. Road weight limits also vary by country, so a container that’s fine for ocean transport can still get stopped during inland trucking. Under the SOLAS verified gross mass (VGM) requirement, the shipper is responsible for declaring the verified total weight of a packed container before it can be loaded onto a vessel — always confirm your figures before the cutoff.
About this guide
This guide is written and edited by the OCEAN FREIGHT JAPAN (SK.inc) editorial team, based on hands-on freight-forwarding experience and primary official sources. Content reflects information current as of the publication date — for the latest regulations, please check official sources directly.
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