A 20 ft container has a nominal capacity of about 33 cubic meters and a 40 ft container about 67; the 40 ft high cube is taller, at around 76. As a rough guide, a 20 ft container suits a two- or three-bedroom apartment and a 40 ft a family house; for less volume, groupage is cheaper.
Approximate capacity of each option
- 20 ft container: about 33 m³ nominal.
- 40 ft container: about 67 m³ nominal.
- 40 ft high cube: about 76 m³, thanks to its extra height.
- Groupage: you pay only for the cubic meters you take up in a shared container.
Why usable space is smaller
Household goods do not stack like identical boxes: furniture, protective packing and bracing so nothing shifts all take space. That is why the quote starts from your inventory volume, not nominal capacity.
When each one makes sense
- 20 ft: mid-size apartments, or a small car plus a few boxes.
- 40 ft: whole houses, large furniture or a vehicle together with household goods.
- Groupage: students, couples or light moves, if you can wait a bit longer.
- Air: urgent or small items, as a complement to the sea shipment.
FAQ
Does a car fit in a 20 ft container?
A mid-size car usually fits, but leaves little room for household goods; with furniture, a 40 ft is better.
Is a full container faster than groupage?
Usually, because it does not wait for other customers’ cargo to fill up.
Who decides the container size?
We set it from the volume measured during the survey, so you do not pay for space you will not use.