Tare Weight
Tare is the weight of the empty container and is printed on the door and the CSC plate. Typical values are about 2,230 kg for a 20GP, 3,750 kg for a 40GP and 3,940 kg for a 40HC, but each unit can differ. Tare is used to work out payload and VGM method 2, which adds the weight of all cargo, pallets, dunnage and securing material to the tare. Always take the tare from the unit actually being packed.
Related terms
- Payload
Payload is the maximum cargo weight a container may carry: maximum gross mass minus tare.
- Maximum Gross Mass
Maximum gross mass (MGW) is the limit for the total weight of a container and its contents, as stated on the CSC plate.
- VGM (Verified Gross Mass)
VGM is the verified gross mass of a packed container, mandatory under SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 2 since 1 July 2016.
- CSC Safety Approval Plate
The CSC plate is the safety approval plate every container must carry under the 1972 International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC).
Covered in these guides
VGM under SOLAS: Methods 1 and 2, Responsibilities and a Worked Example
A practical SOLAS VGM guide for shippers in Indonesia covering methods 1 and 2, shipper responsibility, cut-off, a worked container example and common mistakes.
5 min read Trucks & road freightWingbox vs Box Truck vs Container Trailer: Which One to Use
How wingbox trucks, box trucks and 20', 40' and flatbed trailers compare, including pallet counts on a wingbox deck and Indonesian road class limits.
6 min read Container sizes & capacityContainer Types and ISO Codes: Container Numbers, Check Digits and Type Codes
The main container types (dry, high cube, reefer, open top, flat rack, tank), how to read an ISO 6346 number, calculate the check digit and decode codes like 22G1.
6 min read Container sizes & capacity20ft Container Dimensions: Inside, Door Opening and Payload
Inside, door and outside dimensions of a 20ft dry container, its 33.2 m³ capacity, 28,250 kg payload, pallet and carton counts, and common loading mistakes.
6 min read