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Sri Lanka Trade Tools

Container Load Calculator

Estimate how many cartons, bags, drums or bales of your product fit into a 20ft or 40ft container, by volume and by weight, before you book. Built for Sri Lankan export shipments out of Colombo.

 

20ft Standard
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packages
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Volume
Weight
40ft Standard
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packages
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Volume
Weight
40ft High-Cube
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packages
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Volume
Weight
Estimate only. Figures assume packages stack neatly and fill about 90% of the container. Real loadability depends on packaging, palletisation, weight distribution, stacking limits and stowage, and round drums or irregular bales pack less efficiently. Standard dry containers are shown; reefers have less internal space. Confirm the final plan with your freight forwarder.

How to read the result

Each container shows the estimated number of packages that fit and the total cargo weight at that count. The badge tells you what runs out first: a weight-limited load hits the container’s payload cap before it fills up (common for dense goods like coconut oil), while a volume-limited load fills the space before it gets heavy (common for light, bulky goods like coir or desiccated coconut). Knowing which one binds helps you choose the right container and avoid paying for empty space or unusable payload.

Standard container dimensions

ContainerInternal (approx.)Cargo volumeTypical max payload
20ft Standard5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m~33 m³~28,200 kg
40ft Standard12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m~67 m³~26,500 kg
40ft High-Cube12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m~76 m³~26,500 kg

Figures are nominal, exact internal dimensions and payload limits vary by container make and shipping line, and road weight limits at destination may cap payload below the container’s rating. For the ocean leg cost, use our freight & landed-cost calculator; for US inland LTL, the freight-class calculator.

Ready to ship from Sri Lanka?

Tell us your product, volume and destination. We’ll match you with verified Sri Lankan exporters and help arrange consolidated or full-container shipping.

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Frequently asked questions

How many kg fit in a 20ft or 40ft container?

A 20ft container takes up to about 28,200 kg and ~33 m³ of cargo; a 40ft (standard or high-cube) up to about 26,500 kg, with ~67 m³ (standard) or ~76 m³ (high-cube) of space. Which limit you hit first depends on your product’s density, enter your package above to see.

Why does the 40ft hold less weight than the 20ft?

The 40ft has far more space but a similar maximum payload to the 20ft, because the container’s own (tare) weight and road axle limits cap the total. So heavy, dense goods often ship in 20ft containers, while light, bulky goods suit 40ft high-cubes.

Is this an exact loading plan?

No. It’s a planning estimate assuming neat stacking to ~90% fill. Real results depend on packaging, pallets, stacking strength and stowage. Use it to choose a container size and sense-check quantities, then confirm with your freight forwarder.

Can I ship less than a full container?

Yes, smaller orders move as LCL (less-than-container-load) consolidated freight. Post your requirement and we’ll help arrange LCL or FCL as needed.