How much does a shipping container weigh?
Typically an empty 20ft shipping container weighs between 1.8-2.2 metric tonnes, (we always say 2.2t to be safe) and an empty 40ft shipping container weighs 3.8-4.2 tonne range weather a standard height or high cube container. After all extra height means extra metal which means extra weight!
The exact tare weight on an individual shipping container should show on the container doors.Container weights do vary and these rough working weights are for standard dry containers only (is this does not include special containers such as open tops, flat racks, tanks etc). You may find very old shipping containers can slightly exceed the stated weights above, but in our experience coming across heavier containers is extremely rare. Younger containers are often slightly lighter – as manufacturing techniques improve the factories find ways to build shipping containers of the same strength but with less metal.
When we’re offloading a shipping container the ground not only needs to be solid, hardstanding capable of supporting the container but it also has to support our delivery vehicle! The average weight of an unladen delivery truck can be anywhere in the 6-21 tonne range, plus the weight of your shipping container)
If there are any weight restrictions on access roads on or around your delivery site it is essential you let us know in advance. This as well as the usual obstructions when delivering containers (low bridges, branches and telephone wires etc.) Please have a look at our shipping container deliveries page for more information.
In some cases we may need to arrange special delivery option for you. These might be necessary when there is weight restrictions on certain roads or maybe access or specialist positioning requirements (e.g. under cover or other overhead obstructions, on ‘softer’ ground or requirements to position in a location where our truck may not be able to get near too). Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and we can make sure that we get the correct vehicle on the job for you – for example if you’re taking 2x 20fts off us but you only have a 25t weight limit road, we can’t run them both in on one articulated vehicle at the same time, we’d have to do two separate rigid runs.
Moving shipping container on your site
If for any reason our delivery vehicle cannot get the shipping container where you’d ideally want it, you may wish to move it yourself with some sort of materials handling equipment. If you are unsure about how to move or lift a shipping container you are of course welcome to get in touch with us or simply ask the driver on delivery. Our hauliers are very experienced in getting shipping containers in a vast number of different places.
Most clients move shipping containers themselves use forklifts, diggers or tractors. We have seen them lifted using the container fork pockets (if the container has them), lifting chains over a tractor arm and even dragged into the required position!
Using Fork pockets or lifting chains
While the fork pocket positions on shipping containers are pretty standardised you will need to check a couple of things before thinking you can move one yourself on site. Some containers have fork pockets as standard but some don’t. So please don’t just assume it will come with forks pockets, please confirm with us if they’re required at point of order and we’ll make sure you get what you need. (20ft shipping containers commonly have fork pockets, 40ft shipping containers commonly do not have fork pockets anymore, but this info is correct for a shipping containers that has the same construction as when built in the factory. A 20ft container we’ve made by cutting down a larger container to size commonly won’t have fork pockets)
Please be aware fork pockets in 40ft shipping containers are normally rated for empty lifts only (ie it is not safe to lift a loaded 40ft container up using the fork pockets)
Unless otherwise stated (i.e. you’re having a cut down or refurbished shipping container) a standard 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube will have secure corner castings to link chains to. This is how our hiab vehicles offload containers.
Next, if you are using the fork pockets check your forklift has an adjustable spreader or the ability to slide the forks along the carriage into position. If you have fixed forks you’ll have to check with us if their spread is the same as the shipping container forklift pockets.
Finally, whether you’re lifting it with a forklift or chains and a tractor, you’ll have to check the capacity of your equipment. As mentioned above 20ffs are 2.2t and 40fts up to (occasionaly over) 4.2 tonnes. Attempting to move a shipping container and finding your equipment cannot handle it will not only cause your equipment to break, if you’re carrying it over a field for example, you may get stuck (it has happened before where the rescue equipment needs rescuing!)
From heavy metal to, well… heavy metal!
LAMP Enterprises of Hinckley, Leicestershire, were after a store for their musical goods and Budget Shipping Containers were happy to help.
With a tight budget, and even tighter access, the guys from LAMP Enterprises decided a used 20ft shipping container would be the way to go. After looking over the photos and diagrams kindly provided by Matt Cropp we knew instantly anything bigger than a 20ft was just not going to fit where they wanted it.
No real relation here to weight restrictions but we just couldn’t resist the ‘heavy metal’ pun!
We delivered the used 20ft shipping container on our smallest rigid hiab lorry and had to unload down an alleyway and off perpendicular to our wagon. Blocking cars from parking on both sides of the road (to allow our lorry swinging room) it was quite a tricky and intricate delivery. but the guys at LAMP were a great help.
LAMP Enterprises Design, Manufacture and Distribute products for the music industry including international distribution for established brands Stretton Payne acoustic instruments and Bandit electric guitars. So please check them out along with another company they work closely with, Rock Star Academy, for all your online music tuition requirements! If you like ‘heavy metal’ as much as we do here at Budget Shipping Containers these are the guys you need to speak to!
More background on shipping containers
You may find this popular video helpful if looking to learn more about shipping containers: a tour of a used 20ft shipping container:
Looking for your own shipping container?
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).