Container Availability
40ft High Cube Container
Quick answer: A 40ft high cube container is 12,192 mm long like a standard 40ft but about 305 mm taller externally, giving roughly 76 m³ of internal capacity at a similar maximum payload of about 26,500 kg. The extra headroom suits light, bulky cargo, stacked storage and container conversions.
The 40ft high cube adds about one foot of height over a standard 40ft unit. That extra volume suits light, bulky cargo, stacked storage and conversions where headroom matters. The taller external profile must clear routes and site constraints. Figures below are nominal; confirm the actual unit.
Typical specifications
Bottom line: The 40ft high cube gives up nothing in length and adds about 9 m³ of volume over a standard 40ft — the unit to shortlist for bulky cargo and any conversion where headroom matters.
Key figures: External height is about 2,896 mm versus 2,591 mm on a standard 40ft. Internal capacity is roughly 76 m³, about 9 m³ more than a standard 40ft. Internal height is about 2,698 mm and maximum payload is roughly 26,500 kg, unit-dependent.
| Measure | Nominal value |
|---|---|
| External length | 12,192 mm |
| External width | 2,438 mm |
| External height | 2,896 mm |
| Internal length | ≈ 12,032 mm |
| Internal width | ≈ 2,352 mm |
| Internal height | ≈ 2,698 mm |
| Door opening | ≈ 2,340 × 2,560 mm |
| Cubic capacity | ≈ 76 m³ |
| Maximum payload | ≈ 26,500 kg (varies by unit) |
Nominal ISO figures for planning only. The offered unit’s actual specification, tare and payload are confirmed against your enquiry, with photographs and documents where required.
Common uses
- Bulky, lightweight cargo that fills volume before weight
- Storage and racking installations that benefit from extra headroom
- Conversions: offices, cabins and workshops where ceiling height matters
Condition options
High-cube availability is narrower than standard-height equipment, particularly in used grades. State the grade you need — new, cargo worthy or wind & watertight — plus location and quantity, and confirm route and site clearance for the taller unit. See condition grades.
Related guidance
- Compare the standard-height 40ft
- Planning a conversion? Start here
- Request availability and a quotation
Inspection checklist before you buy
Photographs help, but check these points on the actual unit (in person or through an independent inspection) before you commit:
- Doors open, close and lock freely, with intact rubber seals
- Floor is solid with no soft, rotten or delaminated boards
- Roof and walls have no holes; check for light from inside with the doors shut
- Corner posts and castings are straight and undamaged
- Previous repairs are sound, and any odour or contamination is disclosed
- For cargo use: a valid CSC plate and the inspection documents the movement requires
The cargo-worthy vs wind & watertight guide and the CSC plate guide explain which documents matter for which use.
Buy or lease?
Buying suits long-term storage or a conversion you will keep. Leasing suits a fixed project or a short peak in demand, without resale risk at the end. The leasing vs buying guide compares the two, and you can request either option through the enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
When is a high cube worth the extra cost?
When you use the height: bulky light cargo, racked storage, or a conversion with a finished ceiling. If the load or fit-out never reaches above 2.4 metres, a standard unit may serve at a lower price.
Does the extra height affect transport?
Yes. The external profile is about 2.9 metres before any chassis or loading, so overhead clearance on the route and at the site must be checked. Flag height constraints in your enquiry.
How heavy is an empty 40ft high cube?
Typically about 3,800 to 3,950 kg, slightly more than a standard-height 40ft. The exact tare is printed on the doors and the CSC plate of the offered unit.
How can I tell a high cube from a standard 40ft?
High cubes are about 30 cm taller and usually carry hazard-stripe markings along the top edge. The size-type code on the doors (for example 45G1) also identifies a 40ft high cube.