The Short Answer
Standard US Pallets (40x48): Can fit 20 on the floor. If double-stacked, up to 40 total.
Euro Pallets (1200x800): Can fit 23-24 on the floor. If double-stacked, up to 48 total.
The High Cube Advantage
A standard 40ft container is 8ft 6in tall. A 40ft High Cube is 9ft 6in tall.
That extra 12 inches (30 cm) makes all the difference for pallet stacking.
Stacking Math Example
- Standard Container (Door Height ~2.28m): Two pallets of 1.2m height = 2.4m. FAIL (Too tall).
- High Cube Container (Door Height ~2.58m): Two pallets of 1.2m height = 2.4m. PASS (Fits easily).
*Note: Always allow ~5-10cm clearance for forklift lifting.
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Weight Limit Warning
Just because you can fit 40 pallets doesn't mean you can ship them.
The payload limit for a 40ft HC is usually around 26,500 kg (58,400 lbs).
- Scenario A (Textiles/Clothing): 40 pallets x 200kg = 8,000kg. SAFE. Perfect for High Cube.
- Scenario B (Beverages/Machinery): 20 pallets x 1,200kg = 24,000kg. FULL. You cannot double stack because you hit the weight limit on the first layer.
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Start LoadingGlossary
High Cube (HC)A container that is 9'6" tall. Ideal for voluminous cargo.
Standard (DV/GP)Dry Van / General Purpose. 8'6" tall.
PayloadThe actual weight of the cargo allowed inside the container (excluding the container's own weight).
Tare WeightThe weight of the empty container (~3,900 kg for a 40ft HC).
Frequently Asked Questions
The floor capacity is 20 Standard US Pallets (40x48 inches). However, a High Cube container provides an extra foot of height (9'6' tall vs 8'6'), which often allows for double-stacking. If you can double-stack, the capacity jumps to 40 Pallets.
The floor capacity is 24-25 Euro Pallets (1200x800mm), depending on your loading pattern. If double-stacked, you can fit 48-50 Euro Pallets, provided you stay within the maximum weight limit (~26,500 kg).
No. A High Cube (40ft HC) has the exact same floor dimensions as a Standard 40ft (40ft DV). The difference is purely vertical. It is 1 foot taller. It is ideal for light, bulky cargo that needs stacking height.
The door height of a 40ft HC is roughly 2.58m (101 inches). If you double-stack, the combined height of two pallets (including the wood) must be safely under 2.55m to account for forklift tilt.
Usually, the price difference is negligible or zero. Shipping lines often price them identically because they occupy the same slot on the ship. Always ask for a High Cube even if you don't think you need it, as it gives you loading flexibility.