A 40ft high cube container (40HC, ISO code 45G1) has the same inside length and width as a 40GP, 12,032 × 2,352 mm, but it is 2,698 mm high inside, 305 mm more. It holds about 76.4 m³ and its door is 2,585 mm high. That extra height often decides whether pallets can be stacked two high, which is why the 40HC is the default choice for light, bulky cargo on most long-haul lanes.
40ft high cube dimensions
The values below are typical. Always check the door markings and the CSC plate of the unit you receive.
| Parameter | 40GP | 40HC |
|---|---|---|
| Inside length × width | 12,032 × 2,352 mm | 12,032 × 2,352 mm |
| Inside height | 2,393 mm | 2,698 mm |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2,340 × 2,280 mm | 2,340 × 2,585 mm |
| Outside dimensions | 12,192 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm | 12,192 × 2,438 × 2,896 mm |
| Floor area | 28.30 m² | 28.30 m² |
| Internal volume | 67.7 m³ | 76.4 m³ |
| Tare | 3,750 kg | 3,940 kg |
| Maximum payload | 26,730 kg | 26,540 kg |
| ISO size-type code | 42G1 | 45G1 |
The second character of 45G1 indicates a 9'6" (high cube) height, while 42G1 means 8'6". Reading these codes is covered in container types and ISO codes, and you can decode any code with the ISO Type Code Decoder. The glossary entry for high cube container has the short definition.
What 305 mm actually buys you
The extra 305 mm adds about 8.6 m³, or 12.7%, of volume. The real benefit is often bigger than that percentage, because cargo stacks in layers. One extra layer of cartons, or the ability to put a second pallet on top, can add 20–100% more units.
| Cargo | 40GP | 40HC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartons 600 × 400 × 400 mm | 500 | 600 | +20% |
| Cartons 500 × 400 × 300 mm | 840 | 1,050 | +25% |
| Cartons 450 × 350 × 300 mm | 1,200 | 1,400 | +17% |
| Pallets 1200 × 1000, load height 1,250 mm | 20 (one tier) | 40 (two tiers) | +100% |
The carton counts use a single orientation with no mixing; the method is explained in how many cartons fit in a container.
Double-stacked pallets
An inside height of 2,698 mm takes two pallets of about 1,300 mm overall height each (2 × 1,300 = 2,600 mm, leaving 98 mm). In a 40GP, two tiers are limited to roughly 1,150 mm each. Three conditions apply:
- Door height. A stack loaded in one go must be lower than 2,585 mm, including lift clearance for the forks. If not, the top pallet goes in separately.
- Stacking strength. Bottom cartons must carry the top pallet through a voyage full of vibration and motion. Use a top sheet or pallets with a flat deck.
- Weight limits. Forty pallets at 650 kg each already make 26,000 kg, close to the 26,540 kg payload and far above what many trailers can legally carry.
Floor patterns and the full calculation are in how many pallets fit in a container.
Cargo that suits a 40HC
A 40HC pays off for low-density cargo: foam mattresses, furniture, sofas, plastic products, empty packaging, garments in large cartons, cotton and toys. These loads fill the space long before they reach the weight limit. A rough threshold: 26,540 kg of payload divided by 76.4 m³ is about 347 kg/m³. Denser cargo tends to weigh out first, so the extra height goes unused.
The 40HC is also handy for single items 2.3–2.5 m tall that will not pass a 40GP door, such as small machines or racking. For anything taller, use an open top or a flat rack.
Worked example
A mattress maker ships 1200 × 1000 mm pallets, 1,250 mm high overall and 550 kg gross each including the pallet.
- 40GP: two tiers need 2,500 mm, more than the 2,393 mm inside height. One tier only, 20 pallets in practice (22 theoretical).
- 40HC: two tiers need 2,500 mm, leaving 198 mm inside and 85 mm under the door header. So 20 floor positions × 2 = 40 pallets.
- Weight in the 40HC: 40 × 550 = 22,000 kg of cargo; gross mass 22,000 + 3,940 = 25,940 kg. Within the payload and, for a trailer limited to 26,000 kg of container gross mass, just inside.
- Conclusion: one 40HC replaces two 40GPs. A 40HC ocean rate is usually only slightly above a 40GP, so the cost per pallet almost halves.
Because the weight margin is thin, weigh a few sample pallets before stuffing and prepare the VGM properly. The planner is a simulation and does not replace official weighing.
When a 40GP is still the better box
A high cube is not always the answer. A 40GP still makes sense when:
- The cargo is dense. If the box weighs out before the extra height is used, the additional 305 mm brings nothing, while the 40HC tare is 190 kg heavier.
- Your cargo height cannot use the extra space. Take 550 mm cartons stacked four high (2,200 mm) in a 40GP: in a 40HC they are still four high unless you rotate them or add a layer in another orientation. Run the numbers before you book.
- The inland route has height restrictions. Some warehouses, factory gates or routes with low bridges are awkward for a vehicle carrying a high cube. Ask your haulier.
- The consignee has requirements. Some buyers or destination warehouses have docks and equipment designed around a particular height.
Availability and cost
On many international lanes out of Indonesia, the 40HC is the most commonly available 40ft type, and its ocean rate is often only marginally above a 40GP. That varies by carrier, lane and season, though. Do not assume; ask for written quotes for both types, then work out the cost per cubic metre or per pallet as in the example above. Specialised boxes, such as refrigerated high cubes, are covered in our reefer container guide.
A note on the 45ft high cube
A 45HC (code L5G1) measures about 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm inside, holds 86.0 m³ and has a typical payload of 25,680 kg. One layer takes around 24 pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm or 27 EUR pallets. Not every lane, terminal or road accepts 45ft units, so confirm with the carrier and the haulier before you plan around one.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a high cube carries more weight. The 40HC payload is slightly lower than a 40GP.
- Forgetting overall vehicle height. The 2,896 mm box height plus the trailer deck height must stay under the vehicle height limit and bridge clearances; check with your haulier and our Indonesian truck sizes guide.
- Stacking weak pallets. Crushed bottom cartons make the whole stack lean.
- Booking without checking equipment availability. Some depots run short of high cubes; book early.
Plan your load
Compare the 20GP, 40GP and 40HC in 20ft vs 40ft vs 40HC or with Container Compare, then test your pallet and carton layout in the 3D load planner before you book.