Does the weight of pallets and packaging material inside the container count as tare?

No. Tare is the weight of the empty box exclusively. The weight of pallets, stretch wrap, and dunnage is considered part of the cargo (net weight) and is added when calculating the total gross weight.

Why can't a 40-foot container carry twice as much cargo as a 20-foot container?

Because the maximum gross weight (30,480 kg) is practically identical for both. A 40ft box simply has a higher tare weight, meaning its net payload is actually lower than that of a 20ft container. A 40ft container is designed for voluminous but lightweight cargo (e.g., clothing, plastics, furniture).

Does a container's weight change over time?

Yes, and usually it increases. Multiple floor repairs, welding patches onto the undercarriage, and dirt accumulation in the bottom rails can increase the tare weight by 50–150 kg over 10 years of operation.

How much heavier is a reefer compared to a standard dry container?

Significantly. A 40ft reefer is approximately 500–700 kg heavier than its dry (DC) counterpart. This is critical to consider during loading: a reefer's payload is always lower.

Can I reduce the container's weight by removing unnecessary parts?

Absolutely not. Any unauthorized structural modification (e.g., removing flooring, stripping cladding) voids the CSC certificate. Such a container will be rejected at the port, and the shipper will face fines and demurrage costs.

Do IICL or CW standards affect the tare weight of an empty container?

There is no direct impact, but there is an indirect one. An IICL container that has undergone a full refurbishment with complete floor replacement and sandblasting will weigh exactly as the manufacturer intended. Conversely, a "worn" CW container with makeshift patches may have a non-standard, slightly higher weight.

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Tare Weight of Shipping Containers: Weight Table for High Cube, Dry Cube, Standard, 20ft, and 40ft Containers

Empty shipping container weight: current weight table for 20DC, 40DC, 20HC, 40HC, and reefers. How tare weight affects payload, axle load limits, and why figures on the CSC plate may differ from reality.

Tare is the weight of an empty container, including all its structural components: the steel body, wooden flooring, door mechanisms, and, in the case of reefers, the refrigeration unit.

The exact weight of a specific box is always stamped on its CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) Safety Approval Plate, which is attached to the left door leaf. The final figure for calculations and logistics planning must be taken exclusively from this metal nameplate.

Average Tare Weight of Shipping Containers

Manufacturers (such as CIMC, Singamas, and CXIC) continuously modernize their designs, using lighter yet stronger steel alloys or, conversely, reinforcing corner fittings. Below are the actual market weight ranges for empty containers.

Standard Containers

20-foot (20’ DC): 2,200 – 2,400 kg
20-foot (20’ HC): 2,300 – 2,350 kg
40-foot (40’ DC): 3,700 – 3,900 kg
40-foot High Cube (40’ HC): 3,900 – 4,200 kg

Specialized Types (Heavy & Special)

20-foot Reefer (20’ RF): 2,900 – 3,100 kg (Thick insulation + refrigeration unit weight).
40-foot High Cube Reefer (40’ HC RF): 4,400 – 4,800 kg (The heaviest mass-market type due to the powerful refrigeration unit and thick walls).
Open Top (with tarpaulin roof): 2,300 – 2,600 kg (for 20’). Weight heavily depends on the presence of removable bows and tarp thickness.
Flat Rack (platform): 4,000 – 4,500 kg (for 40’). Weight heavily depends on the presence of collapsible end walls and the reinforced steel base.

Empty Container Weight Table (Kilograms and Pounds)

Container Type	Min Tare (kg)	Min Tare (lbs)	Max Tare (kg)	Max Tare (lbs)
20 DC	2,200	4,850	2,400	5,291
20 HC	2,300	5,071	2,350	5,181
40 DC	3,700	8,157	3,900	8,598
40 HC	3,900	8,598	4,200	9,259
20' Reefer	2,900	6,393	3,100	6,834
40' Reefer	4,400	9,700	4,800	10,582
Open Top (20')	2,300	5,071	2,600	5,732
Flat Rack (40')	4,000	8,818	4,500	9,920

Why Actual Weight May Differ from the CSC Plate

If you weigh a container on a weighbridge and see a discrepancy of 100–300 kg compared to the CSC plate, it is not always fraud. Objective factors influence the tare weight:

Wooden Floor Moisture. Marine plywood or floorboards are hygroscopic. After sitting in a humid port (e.g., Vladivostok or Novorossiysk), the floor can absorb 50–80 kg of water.
Repair History. A CW or As-Is container that has undergone localized repairs may be heavier. Replacing rotted boards with thicker ones, welding metal patches onto corrugated panels, or replacing heavy-duty hinges adds weight.
Contamination. Caked-on dirt, hardened sea salt in the bottom rails, or forgotten cargo securing equipment (lashings, dunnage) left inside the box.

How Tare Weight Affects Payload and Logistics

The formula is simple: Maximum Gross Weight – Tare Weight = Payload (Net Weight).

The maximum gross weight for most 20' and 40' containers today is 30,480 kg (30.48 metric tons).

For a 20' DC (tare ~2,300 kg), the payload is approximately 28,180 kg.
For a 40' HC (tare ~4,000 kg), the payload drops to 26,480 kg.

*The information on this page does not constitute a public offer.

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