High Cube Container or Shipping Container High Cube (HC Container)
They are a distant, identical, but taller cousin of 20ft and 40ft standard containers. A high cube shipping container, also known as an HC container, is an intermodal storage container unit with an external height of 9ft. 6in. These specialized high cube containers are in high demand due to their extra height.
At the same time, because they have the same width as standard containers, the 20ft high cube container and 40ft high cube container are easy to stack on ships.
How Tall is a High Cube Container
While these containers are available in sizes and layouts identical to any other standard sized container, high cube shipping containers are recognized by their height. That’s a 2,895.6 mm shipping container for the rest of the world. Its additional height provides owners and renters with more headspace and a convenient option to expand storage capacity by adding additional volume without the need for a longer container.
While you may be hearing this term for the first time, we felt it would be beneficial to compare a high cube vs standard container so that you may better explore your high cube container height size options.
High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions
What are the dimensions of a high cube container?
High cube containers are standard-sized containers with a height of 9’6″. They appear to be standard containers, but because they are slightly higher, they have the appearance of a cube when viewed from the front and rear. That explains their name. The high cube containers are known by a variety of names. For example, High cube, Hi Cube Container, HC, or HQ. The bulk of these containers are built of long-lasting materials such as steel or aluminum.
High cubes, like standard containers, are used to ship all types of dry cargo. However, they are incredibly useful for transporting light and large cargo, particularly those with heights (maximum 2.70 m).
There are multiple lashing rings on the high cube containers (mounted on front top end rail, bottom cross member, and corner posts). The lashing rings can support a maximum load of 1000 kg. Some high cube containers may feature floor recesses. These serve two functions:
- Assist in the centering of containers on a chassis, and
- allowing these containers to lie lower. This produces a taller structure.
20 HC container, 40 HC container, and all their measurements

Containers are manufactured in accordance with standard sizes set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). They can be stacked more efficiently this way. Something that lowers the possibility of toppling over while in transit.
High cube containers are identical in length and width to standard 40ft containers, but differ in height by exactly 1 foot. This adds ~344 cubic feet of storage capacity to the high cube shipping container for sale. Because of the added height, high cube shipping containers are heavier than normal containers.
40 ft high cube container dimensions
Let’s compare the dimensions of a high cube shipping container to those of a standard 40ft container:
External Dimensions
Measure | Standard | High Cube |
---|---|---|
External length | 12.2 m / 40 ft | 12.2 m / 40 ft |
External width | 2.44 m / 8 ft | 2.44 m / 8 ft |
External height | 2.60 m / 8.6 ft | 2.90 m / 9.6 ft |
Door width | 2.34 m / 7.8 ft | 2.34 m / 7.8 ft |
Door height | 2.26 m / 7.5 ft | 2.57 m / 8.5 ft |
Max gross weight | 30,480 kg / 67,196 lbs | 32,500 kg / 71,650 lbs |
High cube containers are typically 40ft tall. However, depending on the requirements, they can also be 45ft. The internal dimensions and capacity of these containers are listed below:
Internal Dimensions
Measure | 40ft HC | 45ft HC |
---|---|---|
Internal length | 12.03 m / 39.5 ft | 13.55 m / 44.5 ft |
Internal width | 2.35 m / 7.8 ft | 2.35 m / 7.8 ft |
Internal height | 2.67 m / 8.9 ft | 2.67 m / 8.9 ft |
Tare weight | 3,940 kg / 8,687 lbs | 4,820 kg / 10,628 lbs |
Payload capacity | 28,600 kg / 63,052 lbs | 27,860 kg / 61,431 lbs |
Cubic capacity | 76.3 m3 / 2,694.5 cu ft | 86 m3 / 3,036 cu ft |
However, because of the extra height, it’s important to keep in mind that: high cube containers are sometimes considered over-heightened for inland transportation. Especially when they’re going through tunnels, bridges, and other structures.
How much can a 40ft high cube container contain in terms of volume?
760 medium flower pots. Likewise, 610 basic package boxes. Similarly, 152 bicycles, plus or minus a couple. A high cube container can hold a lot of things.
But let’s attempt to make things a little clearer. Here are some standardized sizes that may help you visualize things a little better. A 40 high cube shipping container can carry 25 pallet stacks based on European pallet dimensions (1.2m x 0.8m). There can be 21 pallet stacks for American pallets (1.01m x 1.21m) as long as they do not hang over the sides.
Are you looking to purchase high cube containers?
It’s not always easy to locate the containers you need in the ideal location and at the best price. However, it does not have to be so complicated.
With a good number of shipping firms using Manning Steel Company to buy, sell, and lease containers, Manning Steel makes it simple to find conex boxes in all container types in over 500 shipping containers for sale at our depots in California and in the UK. You can, however, select from any of them directly from your computer screen.
Where to find high cube containers
Consider yourself going through a list of shipping containers for sale California. In this situation, the containers that help you transfer cargo or store objects that are taking up too much space. While navigating through our Shop, you can see all of the different prices on the list of containers. Assuring that you don’t spend your hard-earned money by paying too much for the containers you’ve set your eyes on.
To make things even easier for you, every Manning Steel employee is subjected to a thorough background check, ensuring that you find a trustworthy customer consultant with whom to strike your next deal. Online.
Manning Steel Team has created a neutral online marketplace (Shop) specifically for this purpose. Shop Now on our internet platform with our experienced team on standby by clicking on the link below.