Container guide, sales and export support

Compare Standard Container Sizes and Buy Used Shipping Containers in Shenzhen

Use this guide to compare 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube shipping container dimensions, review indicative used-container prices, and understand when an open top or flat rack container is required for oversized cargo.

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Standard dry containers

Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions

Standard general-purpose containers are the most common choice for cartons, pallets, furniture, machinery parts and other dry cargo. The three sizes below cover most full-container-load shipments from China to Australia.

20FT

20ft General Purpose

Internal: 5.896 × 2.350 × 2.393 m

Capacity: approximately 33 m³

Typical maximum payload: 28,200 kg

40FT

40ft General Purpose

Internal: 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.393 m

Capacity: approximately 67 m³

Typical maximum payload: 28,800 kg

40HC

40ft High Cube

Internal: 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.697 m

Capacity: approximately 76 m³

Typical maximum payload: 28,620 kg

Reference specifications for standard dry shipping containers
Specification	20ft GP	40ft GP	40ft High Cube
External dimensions	6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm	12,192 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm	12,192 × 2,438 × 2,896 mm
Internal dimensions	5,896 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm	12,032 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm	12,032 × 2,350 × 2,697 mm
Door opening	2,350 × 2,274 mm	2,340 × 2,274 mm	2,340 × 2,577 mm
Internal capacity	Approx. 33 m³	Approx. 67 m³	Approx. 76 m³
Tare weight	Approx. 2,280 kg	Approx. 3,700 kg	Approx. 3,880 kg
Maximum payload	Approx. 28,200 kg	Approx. 28,800 kg	Approx. 28,620 kg
Maximum gross weight	Approx. 30,480 kg	Approx. 32,500 kg	Approx. 32,500 kg

Important: These are representative specifications. Actual shipping container measurements, tare weight and payload can vary by manufacturer, age and carrier equipment. Confirm the exact container before loading.

Available from Shenzhen

Used Shipping Containers for Sale

ASP Cargo sells second-hand shipping containers in Shenzhen and can arrange pickup, China inland delivery, export shipping to Australia and destination delivery. The 20ft and 40ft prices below are indicative public prices converted at RMB 4 to AUD 1.

Price basis: Prices exclude taxes, lifting or loading, inland trucking, ocean freight, port charges, customs charges, modifications and final delivery.

20ft used container

AUD 2,000

Reference price equivalent to RMB 8,000.

Pickup mainly in Shenzhen
Valid CSC plate
Suitable for export subject to inspection and carrier acceptance
Useful for cargo transport or on-site storage

Enquire About 20ft Containers

40ft used container

AUD 3,250

Reference price equivalent to RMB 13,000.

Pickup mainly in Shenzhen
Valid CSC plate
Suitable for larger cargo volumes and long-term storage
China and Australia delivery can be arranged

Enquire About 40ft Containers

Actual price depends on current availability, container condition and collection date. 40ft high cube, open top and flat rack containers are also available on request and are quoted individually.

Used 20ft shipping container with the cargo doors open — 20ft used shipping container — open-door view showing the interior and condition.

Used 40ft shipping container on a skeletal trailer — 40ft used shipping container — full-length side view for a clear sense of scale.

Shipper-owned containers

Why Businesses Buy Their Own Shipping Container

Use your own container for shipping

A purchased container may be used as a shipper-owned container, often called an SOC. This gives the owner more flexibility to prepare and load cargo without relying on a carrier-owned box or the carrier's normal equipment return deadline.

No carrier container rental period for the box itself
More flexible loading and inventory preparation
Useful for exporters with recurring or project shipments
Can remain with the owner after delivery

Use it as a private or commercial warehouse

A container can be placed on suitable private land, factory space, a farm or a construction site and used as a secure storage unit for stock, tools, furniture or equipment.

Avoid building a permanent warehouse
Relocatable when business needs change
Can be fitted with shelving, lighting, ventilation or additional doors
Suitable for household or business storage

Shipping note: A valid CSC plate supports international use, but the shipping line still has the right to inspect and approve a shipper-owned container. Port storage, terminal, chassis and transport charges may still apply.

Inspection and delivery

What We Confirm Before Sale

Container condition

Current photos and visible condition can be confirmed before collection.

CSC plate

The container is supplied with a valid CSC safety plate for international transport.

Pickup and delivery

Pickup is mainly in Shenzhen. China inland delivery and Australian destination delivery can be quoted.

Special equipment

Open Top Shipping Container Dimensions

Open top containers have a removable tarpaulin roof and a movable door header. They are designed for over-height cargo, heavy cargo and goods that must be loaded from above by crane. Common examples include machinery, stone, glass, moulds and large industrial parts.

Oversized industrial cargo being loaded into an open top container — Open top container cargo loading.

20ft open top container specification diagram — 20ft open top container specification.

40ft open top container specification diagram — 40ft open top container specification.

Representative open top container specifications
Specification	20ft Open Top	40ft Open Top
Internal length	Approx. 5,895 mm	Approx. 12,030 mm
Internal width	Approx. 2,350 mm	Approx. 2,350 mm
Internal height	Approx. 2,380 mm	Approx. 2,377 mm
Door opening width	Approx. 2,340 mm	Approx. 2,347 mm
Capacity	Approx. 32.5 m³	Approx. 66.4 m³
Tare weight	Approx. 2,450 kg	Approx. 3,850 kg
Maximum payload	Approx. 30,050 kg	Approx. 26,630 kg

Open top dimensions and payload differ by carrier series. Over-height cargo normally requires a special quotation, lifting plan, packing details and approval before booking.

Oversized and heavy cargo

Flat Rack Shipping Container Dimensions

Flat rack containers have a strong floor structure and end walls but no fixed side walls or roof. They are used for cargo that is too wide, too high or too heavy for a standard container, including excavators, vehicles, steel structures, industrial machinery and project cargo.

Oversized industrial cargo secured on a flat rack container — Flat rack container carrying oversized cargo.

20ft flat rack container specification diagram — 20ft flat rack container specification.

40ft flat rack container specification diagram — 40ft flat rack container specification.

Representative flat rack container specifications
Specification	20ft Flat Rack	40ft High Cube Flat Rack
Usable internal length	Approx. 5,612 mm	Approx. 11,652 mm
Width between corner posts	Approx. 2,227 mm	Approx. 2,224 mm
Width over floor / side rails	Approx. 2,210 mm	Approx. 2,368 mm
Floor height	Approx. 370 mm	Approx. 648 mm
Tare weight	Approx. 2,740 kg	Approx. 5,950 kg
Maximum payload	Approx. 31,260 kg	Approx. 44,050 kg
Maximum gross weight	Approx. 34,000 kg	Approx. 50,000 kg

Load distribution matters: A flat rack's permitted payload depends on how the cargo rests on the main side girders and how weight is distributed. Short, concentrated or out-of-gauge loads require engineering and carrier review.

For machinery and oversized projects, see our Special Transport Projects service or contact us with the cargo length, width, height, weight, centre of gravity and loading photographs.

Quick comparison

Standard Container vs Open Top vs Flat Rack

Container type	Best for	Over-height cargo	Over-width cargo
Standard dry container	Cartons, pallets and ordinary dry cargo	No	No
40ft high cube	Light, bulky or tall cargo within the doors	No	No
Open top container	Top-loaded and over-height cargo	Yes, subject to approval	Normally no
Flat rack container	Heavy, over-height and over-width cargo	Yes, subject to approval	Yes, subject to approval

From enquiry to delivery

How to Buy or Ship a Container

1
Contact ASP Cargo
Tell us the required container size, intended use and delivery location.
2
Confirm stock and condition
We confirm availability, current photos, CSC plate and collection details.
3
Quote transport costs
Loading, trucking, export shipping, port charges and destination delivery are quoted separately.
4
Arrange pickup or export
Collect in Shenzhen or let us coordinate the movement to Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Shipping Container Specifications and Sales FAQs

What are the dimensions of a 20 foot shipping container?

A representative 20ft general-purpose container has external dimensions of 6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm and internal dimensions of approximately 5,896 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm. Actual equipment can vary slightly.

How wide is a shipping container?

Most ISO shipping containers are 2,438 mm, or 8 feet, wide externally. The usable internal width is normally around 2,350 mm.

How much is a used shipping container?

ASP Cargo's indicative Shenzhen prices are AUD 2,000 for a used 20ft container and AUD 3,250 for a used 40ft container. Taxes, loading, transport, shipping and delivery are not included.

Can a purchased container be shipped from China to Australia?

Yes. ASP Cargo can arrange export from China to Australia, subject to container inspection, valid CSC documentation, shipping-line acceptance and destination requirements.

What is a CSC plate?

A CSC safety approval plate records important technical and approval information for a container used in international transport. The container owner remains responsible for ongoing inspection and maintenance.

Can I use a shipping container as a warehouse?

Yes. Many buyers place containers on suitable private or commercial land for secure storage. Local planning, placement, foundation and access requirements should be checked before delivery.

What is the difference between an open top and a flat rack container?

An open top has side walls and a removable roof, making it useful for top loading and over-height cargo. A flat rack has no fixed side walls or roof and is better suited to over-width, over-height and heavy project cargo.

Do you sell 40ft high cube, open top and flat rack containers?

Yes. These container types can be supplied subject to availability and are priced individually. Contact ASP Cargo for the current stock and delivery quote.

Explore related pages

Related shipping services and guides

Use these descriptive links to continue planning the shipment without returning to the main menu.

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Need a container or special equipment?

Tell us the size, use and delivery location

ASP Cargo can quote the container, Shenzhen pickup, China transport, export shipping and Australian destination delivery.

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