By the Waymore Shipping Operations Team | Last updated: October 2026 | 5 min read

20GP, 40GP or 40HC: Which Container Should You Choose?

Choose a 20GP when weight is your limit, a 40HC when volume is, and a 40GP for dense pallets. The "right" container is whichever fills up first — weight or space — at the lowest cost per CBM.

The Three Containers at a Glance

These usable figures are below nominal volume because real cartons leave gaps, and carriers may require lashing space. If a supplier promises a "full" 76 CBM in a 40HC, treat it as marketing.

Why Heavy Cargo Belongs in a 20GP

Weight, not space, caps many shipments. Ceramics, hardware, batteries and machine parts often hit a 20GP's payload limit while occupying only 18–22 CBM. Moving that cargo to a 40HC gains empty space and a heavier total cost — you'd pay for volume you can't legally use. Roads and terminals in both China and destination countries also enforce per-axle weight rules, so overloading a bigger box doesn't help.

Why Light Cargo Belongs in a 40HC

A 40HC is about 30 cm taller than a 40GP — that extra height is why it holds 76.4 CBM instead of 67.7. Since the ocean rate for a 40HC is typically only 40–60% higher than for a 20GP, the cost per CBM can drop by a third or more. For furniture, home goods, plastics and apparel, the 40HC is almost always the value pick. Carrier equipment guides, such as those published by Maersk, confirm the standard internal dimensions used above.

Three Questions to Pick Your Box

1. What does your cargo weigh per CBM? Above roughly 1,000 kg/CBM, a 20GP fills by weight first.
2. Can your cartons stack? Tall cartons and non-stackable items waste high-cube height; dense pallets favor 40GP.
3. What's your total volume? Under ~13–15 CBM, compare with LCL for small cargo — it's often cheaper. Between 15 and 28 CBM, price both a 20GP and LCL. Above 28 CBM, go 40GP or 40HC.

Not sure how to turn carton dimensions into CBM? Our CBM and chargeable weight formula guide walks through the math step by step. And if you're weighing LCL against a full box, our FCL vs LCL comparison includes a worked example.

Cost per CBM: A Worked Example

Suppose a lane prices a 20GP at $1,200 and a 40HC at $1,900. If you load 26 CBM into the 20GP, you pay about $46 per CBM. Spread the same 40HC rate over 64 CBM and you pay about $30 per CBM — a 35% saving on every cubic meter, provided your cargo actually fills the box and stays under the weight cap. That's the whole arithmetic behind container selection.

One warning from our loading dock: buyers sometimes round up cartons to "fill" a 40HC and end up over the payload or with a top tier that cannot legally stack. Weight distribution matters too — heavy cartons go on the floor, light ones on top, and dense items should be spread across the container length to keep the box road-legal at the destination. Our warehouse team produces a loading plan for every FCL booking, and we flag any 40HC order where the cargo weight per CBM suggests a 20GP would do the same job for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 40HC cheaper per CBM than a 20GP?

Almost always. A 40HC typically costs only 40–60% more than a 20GP while offering more than double the usable volume, so the cost per CBM drops sharply. But if your cargo is heavy and fills a 20GP at the weight limit, a bigger box adds no value.

What is the difference between a 40GP and a 40HC?

A 40HC (high cube) is about 30 cm taller than a 40GP, giving roughly 76.4 CBM versus 67.7 CBM of internal volume. Both share payload limits around 26,000–28,000 kg. Choose 40HC for bulky, light cargo and 40GP for dense palletized loads.

How many CBM fit in a 20GP container?

A 20GP offers 33.2 CBM of internal volume, but practical loading is usually 25–28 CBM after carton irregularity and load restrictions. It is the best choice when cargo weight, not volume, is the limiting factor.

When should I ship LCL instead of FCL?

Below roughly 13–15 CBM, LCL is usually cheaper than a 20GP. Between 15 CBM and a full 20GP, compare quotes carefully. Our team prices both options for every shipment so you always see the cheaper structure.