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knowledges of container
01
Container Types and Sizes
1. Large container:
Usually refers to a 40-foot container, mainly including 40GP (ordinary dry cargo container) and 40HQ (high container). 45-foot containers are usually considered special containers and do not belong to the category of regular large containers.
2. Small cabinet:
Generally refers to a 20-foot container, i.e. 20GP (ordinary dry cargo container).
3. Double-back:
Refers to the way two 20-foot small containers are transported or lifted at the same time. For example, one trailer can pull two small containers at the same time, or two 20-foot containers can be lifted onto the ship at one time during port lifting.
02
Cargo transportation method
1. LCL (Less than Container Load):
Refers to the cargo of multiple shippers loaded in one container. Since the cargo volume is small and not enough to fill a full container, the cargo of multiple shippers needs to be combined and packed. The classification, sorting, concentration, packing (unpacking) and delivery of LCL cargo are all carried out at the carrier's terminal container freight station or inland container transshipment station. Freight is usually calculated according to the volume of the cargo.
2. Full Container Load (FCL):
Refers to a container that is loaded with goods from only one owner or manufacturer. The goods are in large quantities and are sufficient to fill one or more full containers. A full container load usually has only one consignor and one consignee. The consignor packs the goods by himself and handles the export declaration procedures for the goods with the customs. After the customs seals the container, the entire container is transported as a transport unit.
03
Other container knowledge
1. Container number: Each container has a unique number, which is used for customs declaration, document preparation, warehouse receipt entry, etc.
2. Transportation delivery method: Container transportation is divided into full container and less than container load, and the delivery methods include door-to-door, field-to-field, door-to-field, field-to-door, etc.
3. Container type: In addition to the common dry container (DC, Dry Container), there are also open top containers (OT, Open Top), refrigerated containers (RF, Reefer Container) and other types.
4. Packing and unpacking: Packing means carrying an empty container to load goods, and unpacking means carrying a heavy container to the factory to unload goods.
5. Freight calculation: LCL freight is usually calculated by volume, while FCL freight may be calculated by volume or weight, depending on the charging standards of the shipping company or freight forwarder.
6. Customs supervision: Whether it is a full container or a less than container load, it needs to be supervised and inspected by the customs to ensure that the goods comply with import and export regulations.
04
What are the common specifications of containers?
1. 20-foot general container (20GP)
Size: External dimensions are approximately 6.096 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.591 meters high. The internal dimensions vary slightly, but generally the internal length is approximately 5.898 meters, the width is approximately 2.352 meters, and the height is approximately 2.385 meters.
Capacity: The general loading volume is approximately 28 cubic meters (CBM), and the actual loading volume may vary depending on the characteristics of the goods and the packaging method.
Usage: Suitable for loading smaller quantities or lighter goods.
2. 40-foot general cabinet (40GP)
Dimensions: External dimensions are approximately 12.192 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.591 meters high. Internal dimensions may vary, but generally the internal length is approximately 12.032 meters, the width is approximately 2.352 meters, and the height is approximately 2.385 meters.
Capacity: The general loading capacity is approximately 58 cubic meters (CBM), which is suitable for loading larger quantities or heavier goods.
Use: Widely used in various cargo transportation, especially in occasions that require larger loading space.
3. 40-foot high cabinet (40HC/40HQ)
Dimensions: The external dimensions are the same as 40GP, i.e. about 12.192 meters long and 2.438 meters wide, but the height is increased to about 2.896 meters. The internal dimensions are usually about 12.032 meters long, 2.352 meters wide, and 2.69 meters high (or slightly different depending on different manufacturers and designs).
Capacity: The general loading volume is about 68 cubic meters (CBM). Due to the increase in height, it is suitable for loading goods with higher height or goods that require more vertical space.
Use: Especially suitable for transporting large machinery and equipment, furniture and other high-height goods.
4. 45-foot high cabinet (45HC/45HQ)
Dimensions: External dimensions are approximately 13.716 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.896 meters high. Internal dimensions may vary slightly, but generally the internal length is approximately 13.556 meters, the width is approximately 2.352 meters, and the height is approximately 2.698 meters.
Capacity: The general loading volume is approximately 75 cubic meters (CBM) to 86 cubic meters (CBM), depending on the characteristics of the goods and how they are packed. Due to the increase in length and height, its capacity is relatively large and is suitable for transporting large or heavy goods.
Use: It is very useful in situations where a larger loading capacity is required, but it should be noted that not all ports and transportation equipment can handle this larger size container.
05
The difference between high cabinets and ordinary cabinets
The main difference between high cabinets and ordinary cabinets is their height. High cabinets, whether 40-foot high cabinets (40HC/40HQ) or 45-foot high cabinets (45HC/45HQ), are about 1 foot (about 30.48 cm) higher than ordinary cabinets. This increase in height allows high cabinets to load higher, larger or heavier goods, especially in occasions that require more vertical space.
Ordinary cabinets, such as 20-foot general cabinets (20GP) and 40-foot general cabinets (40GP), are suitable for loading goods of general height. Although high cabinets and ordinary cabinets are consistent in length and width, the difference in height determines their loading capacity and applicable scenarios.
06
Box weight
The deadweight of a container refers to the weight of the container itself, excluding the cargo or other attachments loaded inside. This is an important parameter of a container because it directly affects the transportation cost of the container. For example, the deadweight of a 20-foot general container (20GP) is about 1.7 tons, while the deadweight of a 40-foot general container (40GP) increases to about 3.4 tons. These weight data are of great significance for calculating transportation costs and evaluating the carrying capacity of transportation tools.
07
Full and empty containers/lucky containers
A loaded container refers to a container that has been loaded with goods, while an empty container or a lucky container is the opposite. An empty container, as the name suggests, is a container that has not yet been loaded with goods. In southern China, especially Guangdong and Hong Kong, since "empty" and "unlucky" have similar pronunciations in Cantonese, they are considered unlucky, so people usually call empty containers a lucky container. This name reflects the local cultural characteristics and language habits. The so-called "taking a lucky container and returning a heavy container" means taking an empty container (a lucky container) to load goods, and after the goods are loaded, returning the loaded container filled with goods to the relevant department or transportation vehicle. This process is a common link in container transportation and is also one of the important links to ensure the smooth transportation of goods.
08
Back-loading and drop-loading boxes
Carrying a heavy container: This process usually occurs in the handling of imported goods. It refers to transporting a heavy container (i.e. a heavy container) that has been loaded with goods from a terminal (such as a port or container yard) to a designated manufacturer or logistics warehouse for unloading. The "carrying" here vividly describes the action of the container being carried and transported by a transport tool (such as a trailer).
Dropping a heavy container: In contrast to carrying a heavy container, dropping a heavy container usually occurs in the processing of export goods. It refers to the transport of a full container back to the terminal after the manufacturer or logistics warehouse has completed the loading of the goods for subsequent export transportation. The "dropping" here refers to the action of unloading the container from the means of transport and placing it at the terminal.
09
Empty boxes and empty boxes
Empty container loading: This process is usually related to the preparation of export goods. It refers to the extraction of empty containers (i.e. containers that have not yet been loaded with goods) from the terminal and transporting them to the designated manufacturer or logistics warehouse for loading. Empty container loading is an important part of the export process, which provides the necessary containers for the loading of goods.
Empty container loading: Empty container loading occurs in the processing of imported goods. When the goods are unloaded at the manufacturer or logistics warehouse, the empty container needs to be transported back to the terminal for reuse or other processing. This process is called empty container loading, which ensures the recycling of containers and improves logistics efficiency.
10
DC and OT box type
DC: DC is the abbreviation of Dry Container. This is the most common type of container, used to load general cargo, such as cargo boxes, cartons, etc. 20GP (20-foot general dry container), 40GP (40-foot general dry container) and 40HQ (40-foot high cabinet) are all specific examples of DC container types.
OT: OT is the abbreviation of Open Top. This type of container is characterized by the lack of a complete top, only a detachable tent or canvas covering the top of the box. OT containers are suitable for loading super-high, super-large goods or goods that require top opening for loading and unloading, such as machinery and heavy equipment. Due to the top opening design, OT containers require special attention to the stability and safety of the goods during loading and unloading.
11
Half door container
Half-door container, also known as half-side door container, is a specially designed container type. Its characteristic is that one side or a specific part of the container is equipped with an openable door or side panel, which is convenient for loading and unloading goods from the side. This design is particularly suitable for loading goods with large volume, irregular shape or that need to be loaded and unloaded from the side, such as machinery and equipment, large parts, etc. By using half-door containers, the loading and unloading efficiency can be greatly improved and the risk of cargo damage can be reduced.
12
Meaning of back box number
The pick-up box number usually refers to the identification number provided by the freight forwarder or freight company for the customer to pick up the empty or full box. This number may be the number of the shipowner's bill of lading (MBL) or the number of the freight forwarder's bill of lading (HBL). No matter which number it is, it needs to match the information such as the ship name, voyage number and bill of lading number in order to accurately pick up the empty or full box required by the customer. During the pick-up process, the customer needs to provide the freight forwarder or freight company with the correct pick-up box number and other relevant information so that the freight forwarder or freight company can smoothly arrange the pick-up box and transportation matters for the customer.
