Types of Containers in International Trade

In international trade, containers are crucial for transporting goods across long distances, particularly in ocean freight. These containers come in various types, each designed to cater to specific goods, packaging, and shipping requirements. Below are the main types of containers used in international trade:

1. Standard Dry Cargo Containers (General Purpose Containers)

General-purpose containers serve as the leading standard dry cargo containers when it comes to international freight transportation. The basic transportation unit functions for generic cargo, which necessitates weatherproof dry-storage that suits electronics as well as textiles and machinery.

Size: Typically, 20-foot (TEU) or 40-foot (FEU) lengths.

Description: These are the most common containers used for shipping goods that don't require special handling. They are fully enclosed and weatherproof.

Usage: Suitable for dry goods such as electronics, textiles, machinery, furniture, and packaged foods.

Features: steel or aluminum construction, with doors at one end.

2. High Cube Containers

The design of high cube containers extends the normal height of standard shipping containers for improved storage capability of bulkier lightweight products. High cube containers serve the storage needs of textiles, electronics, and similar products during transportation because they provide expanded interior space.

Size: 40-foot High Cube (40’ HC) and 45-foot High Cube (45’ HC) are common sizes.

Description: These are similar to standard containers but taller by about 1 foot (approximately 2.9 meters in height).

Usage: Used for cargo that requires extra height, such as light, bulky items that need additional space.

Features: Provides more internal volume than standard containers, typically for goods like electronics, textiles, and lighter machinery.

3. Refrigerated Containers (Reefer Containers)

Temperature-controlled refrigerated containers fulfill the transportation needs of perishable products such as food and pharmaceuticals. These containers operate with cooling systems that preserve the vital temperature requirements for maintaining the integrity of sensitive items through worldwide shipping periods. Laws regarding customs clearance demand specific necessary documents needed for effective handling of material.

Size: Available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers are equipped with refrigeration units to maintain a specific temperature.

Usage: Used for perishable goods such as food (meat, fruits, vegetables, dairy), pharmaceuticals, and chemicals that require temperature control during transit.
Features: Insulated and equipped with a cooling mechanism to regulate temperature.

4. Open-Top Containers

Open-top containers serve as a suitable option to transport large or extremely heavy items whose dimensions make door entry into standard containers impossible. Open-top containers possess a detachable tarpaulin, which enables the handling of large machines, construction tools, and heavy materials. Custom clearance procedures include verifying that cargo has appropriate bindings along with necessary documentation.

Size: Available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers have no roof, but they have a removable tarp or canvas that can be secured on top.

Usage: Used for oversized or heavy cargo that cannot be loaded through the doors of a standard container, such as large machinery, construction equipment, or raw materials.

Features: Open top for top loading, often used for cargo that requires cranes for loading and unloading.

5. Flat Rack Containers

Flat rack containers function for transporting wide, heavy, and large cargoes exceeding standard shipping container capacity. Flat rack containers offer a secure platform loading of machinery vehicles and construction materials because they lack any enclosed sections.

Size: Available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers have no sides or top but have a sturdy platform with corner posts and twist locks for securing cargo.

Usage: Suitable for cargo that is too large or heavy for standard containers, such as machinery, large vehicles, and construction materials.

Features: Open, with no sides or roof, making it ideal for over-height and over-width cargo.

Read More: Duty Drawback Scheme for Export

6. Tank Containers

Tank containers function as specialized shipping units for transporting liquids and gases because they serve the needs of chemical production alongside petroleum materials and food-related liquids. The cylindrical-shaped tank inside a steel frame structure includes security features to transport dangerous cargo.

Size: Typically, 20-foot containers.

Description: Designed to transport liquids, gases, or bulk commodities in a tank-like structure inside the container frame.

Usage: Common for shipping chemicals, petroleum products, food-grade liquids, and other bulk liquids.

Features: A cylindrical tank inside a steel frame, with safety features like temperature and pressure monitoring.

7. Ventilated Containers

The ventilation systems built into ventilated containers enable airflow to occur simultaneously with moisture reduction in the container. Such containers are designed for agricultural goods, including coffee, cocoa beans, and tobacco, which stay fresher through controlled ventilation throughout transportation.

Size: Available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers have ventilated sides or vents to allow airflow to the cargo.

Usage: Used for goods that need ventilation, such as agricultural products (coffee, cocoa, tobacco) or other items that could spoil due to moisture.

Features: Ventilation systems for controlling moisture and air circulation.

8. Half-Height Containers

These reduced-height containers suit the transport of heavy materials such as coal and metal products because their dimensions match the needs of such products perfectly. Due to their shorter height, these containers simplify the process of handling big cargoes that enter and exit transport facilities.

Size: 20-foot size.

Description: These are half the height of a standard container, which makes them useful for transporting heavy and dense materials.

Usage: Ideal for bulky cargo, such as minerals, coal, or metal products.

Features: Lower height makes it easier to load/unload heavy items.

9. Double-Door Containers

Multi-door containers include two entrances located at the ends of the unit, which makes them ideal for handling cargo from various sides during the shipment process. Heavy and large bulk shipments, together with oversized packages, benefit from double-door containers, which ensure convenient access points during transportation and final delivery stages.

Size: Available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers feature doors on both ends for easy access.

Usage: Often used for cargo that requires loading from both sides, like oversized packages or goods stored in bulk.

Features: Doors at both ends for ease of loading/unloading in tight spaces.

10. Pallet-Wide Containers

The design of pallet-wide containers suits European-style pallets specifically to enhance cargo transfer operations. Such containers provide perfect solutions for shipping products that need predetermined pallet arrangements to optimize their shipping space utilization.

Size: 40-foot size.

Description: These containers are wider than standard containers, typically designed to accommodate European-style pallets.

Usage: Ideal for international shipments of goods that use different pallet sizes, particularly for goods that require more efficient loading.

Features: Extra width allows for better use of internal space when shipping with Euro pallets.

11. Car Carriers

Special transportation units called car carriers enable the shipment of motorized vehicles from cars through trucks along with motorcycles. This transportation vessel contains ramps that serve to assist loading procedures as well as unloading operations, thereby optimizing its capabilities for car export-import operations between different countries.

Size: Varies, but typically around 40 feet.

Description: These containers are designed specifically for transporting vehicles, such as cars or motorcycles.

Usage: Suitable for automotive exports or imports.

Features: Often equipped with ramps or mechanisms to load and unload vehicles.

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12. Insulated Containers

Insulated containers work as protective holders for goods needing temperature stability rather than actual refrigeration. The containers accommodate sensitive pharmaceutical products as well as temperature-dependent electronics during movement between locations.

Size: Available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers are equipped with insulation to maintain internal temperatures for non-refrigerated sensitive goods.

Usage: Suitable for temperature-sensitive goods that don’t need refrigeration but must be protected from extreme temperatures, such as pharmaceuticals or certain electronics.

Features: Insulated walls to provide temperature stability.

13. Swap Bodies

The swap body serves as a transport container that helps users move their goods smoothly between railroad and road transportation. European market participants utilize swap bodies to enable efficient multijurisdictional transport operations that need minimal manual handling during shift changes. Companies must ensure both safety standards and regulations are fulfilled when handling custom clearance through this procedure.

Size: Typically, 20-foot or 40-foot.

Description: These are similar to containers but designed for ease of transfer between trucks and rail transport systems.

Usage: Commonly used in Europe for intermodal transport, especially between road and rail networks.

Features: Easy transfer between different modes of transport, often with locking mechanisms that allow them to be swapped on and off vehicles.

14. Cold Treatment Containers

The shipping of agricultural goods that demands pest elimination through cold temperatures utilizes cold treatment containers. The containers actively control temperatures for agricultural shipment so it remains in compliance with international regulations throughout shipment. During customs clearance, officials require documents that show that products meet the required pest control requirements.

Size: Available in 40-foot sizes.

Description: These containers are used to ensure that goods, such as agricultural products, are treated with cold temperatures to kill pests or microorganisms during transit.

Usage: Used for fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products.

Features: Equipped with temperature controls to maintain cold treatment conditions.

Key Considerations in Choosing Containers:

Type of Cargo: Different goods require different types of containers, depending on their size, shape, and whether they need to be temperature-controlled or ventilated.

Volume and Weight: The weight and volume of the cargo determine the container size and type. Heavy or bulky goods may require open-top, flat rack, or half-height containers.

Transhipment: Some containers are designed for easy handling during transhipment, meaning they can be easily transferred between different modes of transport (road, rail, sea).

Durability and Security: Containers need to ensure the safety and security of goods. For sensitive or valuable items, high-security containers might be required.

Compliance: Containers must comply with international shipping standards, such as those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

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Conclusion

These containers ensure that goods are securely and efficiently transported across long distances, protecting them from environmental factors and minimizing the risk of damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the 4 types of ocean containers?
The four main types of ocean containers are dry containers, used for general cargo; reefer containers, which are refrigerated for perishable goods; open-top containers, allowing cargo to be loaded from above; and flat rack containers, designed for oversized cargo that cannot fit into standard containers.

2. How many types of 40FT containers are there?
There are several types of 40FT containers, including standard 40FT containers for general cargo, 40FT high cube containers that offer extra height for increased capacity, 40FT reefer containers for temperature-sensitive goods, 40FT open-top containers for loading oversized cargo from above, and 40FT flat rack containers for heavy loads.

3. What is the container size and type?
Container size refers to the physical dimensions, commonly 20FT or 40FT in length, with widths of 8FT and heights of 8.5FT (standard) or 9.5FT (high cube). The container type indicates its specific function, such as dry cargo (DC), reefer, open-top, flat rack, or tank container, each catering to different shipping needs.

4. What are FCL and LCL?
Shipping under FCL (Full Container Load) means a provider uses an entire container for their shipment that provides a complete cargo area. A single container functionally serves as LCL (Less than Container Load) when it splits space between multiple shipper consignments. The shipping needs determine whether customers should choose Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL) solutions.

5. What are IMO Type 5 containers?
Specialized tank containers under IMO Type 5 designation serve to transport liquefied gases under conditions of high pressure. The tank containers meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards through their solid structure alongside safety equipment that handles hazardous substances during safe and effective shipping of dangerous materials.

6. What is a DC container?
A Dry Cargo container functions as a general-purpose shipping unit that features an entire weatherproof structure with four firm walls and a covering roof alongside floor installation. A wide range of dry goods, including electronics, clothing, machinery, and household products, use DC containers to travel through global supply networks.

7. What is an RQ container?
The shipping industry lacks a standardized format for RQ containers in their operations. The shipping terminology seems to serve a specific purpose that only particular shipping firms or industrial sectors understand. These restricted or regulated quantity containers serve purpose of transporting hazardous materials while following safety regulations.

8. What is the CBM of a container?
To calculate internal volume for container space, use CBM (Cubic Meter) by multiplying length, width, and height measurements. The volume of a 20FT container reaches 33.2 CB,M whereas a 40FT container measures 67.7 CBM. The high cube modifications create additional container space that suits heavy loads particularly well.

9. What size are ISO containers?
Containers issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) exist in 20FT and 40FT varieties, along with 8FT width dimensions and normal 8.5FT or 9.5FT high cube vertical dimensions. The standardized specifications enable logistic operations to run seamlessly with every transportation method.

10. What is a Type A container?
The Type A container provides safe transportation of low-level radioactive materials. The safety requirements of these containers establish rules that safeguard environmental protection alongside the protection of personnel involved in handling them from potential radiation exposure. Such containers serve as a safe shipment solution in medical sectors, together with nuclear applications and research settings.

11. How many kg in a container?
The permissible weight limit of a container establishes itself based on its classification type. A 20FT container has a capacity to hold 24000 kg before reaching its maximum weight threshold, and a 40FT container exceeds this limit at 30480 kg. The payload capacity results from subtracting the tare weight and maximum gross weight of the container from each other.