ISO shipping containers have standardized dimensions enabling them to be easily loaded onto ships and stacked on top of other cargo containers. It's vital to the intermodal shipping industry that all containers are built and maintained to specific standards. Shipping containers that are used for transporting cargo must be inspected and have a valid CSC plate. International Organization for Standardization, which is more commonly referred to as ISO, sets the specifications as follows:
| 10 Ft Container | 20 Ft Container | 40 Ft Container | 40 Ft High Cube Container | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Width | 7 Ft | 7 Ft | 7 Ft | 7 Ft |
| Height | 7 Ft | 7 Ft | 7 Ft 5.75 in. | 8 Ft | |
| Exterior | Length | 10 Ft | 20 Ft | 40 Foot | 40 Foot |
| Width | 8 Ft | 8 Ft | 8 Ft. | 8 Ft. | |
| Height | 8 Ft 6 in. | 8 Ft 6 in. | 8 Ft 6 in. | 9 Ft 6 in. | |
| Interior | Length | 9 Ft 3 in. | 18 Ft | 39 Ft | 39 Ft |
| Width | 7 Ft | 7 Ft | 7 Ft 8.59 in. | 7 Ft 8.59 in. | |
| Height | 7 Ft | 7 Ft | 7 Ft | 8 Ft | |
| Size | Cubic Volume | 563 cu. ft. | 1,169 cu. ft. | 2,385 cu. ft. | 2,660 cu. ft. |
| Empty Weight | 2,870 lbs. | 4,800 lbs. | 8,400 lbs. | 8,598 lbs. | |
| Load Capacity | 22,040 lbs. | 61,300 lbs. | 57,750 lbs. | 58,598 lbs. | |
| Max Gross | 24,910 lbs. | 67,200 lbs. | 67,200 lbs. | 67,200 lbs. |
