20GP vs 40GP vs 40HQ: which container to book
Book a 20GP for heavy, dense goods, a 40HQ for light, bulky goods, and a 40GP when the cargo is light but does not need the extra height. A 40HQ has the same floor as a 40GP but is 305 mm taller inside: about 76.4 m³ against 67.7 m³.
The three boxes side by side
| Container | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Volume (m³) | Typical payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5,898 × 2,352 × 2,393 | 33.2 | 28,000 |
| 40GP | 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,393 | 67.7 | 26,700 |
| 40HQ | 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,698 | 76.4 | 26,500 |
| 45HQ | 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,698 | 86 | 25,600 |
These are typical figures for standard dry containers; every line and every box varies a little, so confirm critical dimensions with your forwarder.
When the 20GP wins: dense cargo
Heavy goods reach the weight limit long before the box is full. Take 40 × 30 × 10 cm cartons weighing 25 kg each. A 20GP has room for 2,507 of them but its typical payload stops you at 1,120. A 40HQ has room for 5,980, yet its payload stops you at 1,060, fewer than the 20GP.
| Container | Fit by space | Limit by payload | Cartons you can ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 2,507 | 1,120 | 1,120 |
| 40GP | 5,290 | 1,068 | 1,068 |
| 40HQ | 5,980 | 1,060 | 1,060 |
| 45HQ | 6,708 | 1,024 | 1,024 |
For cargo like this, two 20GPs usually carry far more than one 40 ft box. Also check road weight limits for trucking at both ends, which can be lower than the container's own payload.
Run the dense example40 × 30 × 10 cm at 25 kg in a 20GP.When the 40HQ wins: light, bulky cargo
Light goods fill the space first. With 60 × 40 × 40 cm cartons at 6 kg, a 20GP takes 255, a 40GP 550 and a 40HQ 660. The extra height of the high cube adds a whole tier here.
| Container | Cartons | Cargo volume (m³) | Volume used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 255 | 24.5 | 74 % |
| 40GP | 550 | 52.8 | 78 % |
| 40HQ | 660 | 63.4 | 83 % |
| 45HQ | 726 | 69.7 | 81 % |
40GP or 40HQ?
Both have the same floor, so pallet counts are usually identical. The high cube only helps if the extra 30 cm of height lets you add a tier of cartons or double-stack pallets that would not fit in a 40GP. If your cartons are tall or your pallets are loaded to about 1.2 m, check the tier count; if it does not change, the standard 40GP may be all you need. Freight rates for the two are often similar, but that depends on the route and the market.
How to decide in four steps
- Work out the total CBM and gross weight of the order (CBM calculator).
- If weight ÷ payload is higher than volume ÷ capacity, you are weight-limited: look at 20GPs.
- Otherwise run your carton size through the container loading calculator for 40GP and 40HQ.
- Ask your forwarder for rates on the boxes that fit and compare the cost per carton, not the cost per box.
Tools used in this guide
Related guides
Common questions
How much bigger is a 40HQ than a 40GP?
Same length and width, 305 mm taller inside: about 76.4 m³ against 67.7 m³ (typical).
Can a 40 ft container carry twice the weight of a 20 ft?
No. Typical payloads are about 28,000 kg for a 20GP and 26,700 kg for a 40GP, so heavy cargo often ships more efficiently in 20s.
Is a 40HQ the same as a 40HC?
Yes. HQ (high cube) and HC (high cube) are two names for the same 9 ft 6 in tall container.
How many EUR pallets fit in a 40HQ?
Single-stacked, 25 EUR pallets fit the floor of a 40 ft box geometrically; real loads are often one or two fewer.