What is TEU and FEU Container Shipping

Understanding the difference between TEU, FEUs and containers is crucial because when shipping companies give rate calculations they do it per TEU. In this example, TEU is Twenty-Foot-Equivalent- Unit and is the exact unit of measurement used to determine cargo capacity for shipping lines.

Recent estimates suggest there are 20-23 million shipping containers ‘in service’ around the world or 38.5 million TEU.

These containers carry and house the large majority of goods that are shipped around the world.

Both TEU and FEU containers are largely owned by leasing companies or shipping lines who run and operate the container ships sailing the oceans.

TEU and FEU container sizes are internationally recognised as the standard means to calculate the capacity for container vessels and for handling purposes at ports all around the world.

Since the freight and logistics industry has been subject to plenty of media attention recently, we thought you might like to hear everything about shipping containers, from the size to the total weight they can carry.

What Does TEU Stand For

TEU – is defined as Twenty-Foot-Equivalent-Unit and is the size of a standard 20ft shipping container.

A single TEU container’s internal dimensions measure 20ft in length, nearly 8ft in width, and approximately 8ft high. One container can hold between 9 to 11 pallets, depending on whether they are standard pallets or EUR-pallets. Standard pallets are considered more appropriate for a 20ft container’s dimensions.
The unloaded weight of a 20-foot container is 2,300kg, and it may theoretically be loaded to a maximum weight of 28 tonnes (25,400kg). This, however, would be dependent in large part on the shipping line’s probable constraints and/or limitations, the type of the item, and the exact circumstances of the shipment.

What is the Maximum Load Weight for a 20-Foot Container?

WHAT CAN YOU FIT INTO A 20FT CONTAINER?

• 11 EUR-pallets sized 1200mm x 800mm
• 9 EUR-pallets sized 1200mm x 1000mm
• A 20ft container can fit approximately 25-29cbm worth of goods inside.
• Two TEUs have the capacity of a single FEU

What Does FEU Stand For

FEU - is defined as Forty-Foot-Equivalent-Unit and is the size for a 40ft standard shipping container.

One FEU container’s internal dimensions measure 40ft in length, nearly 8ft in width, and approximately 8.1ft high and can carry a total payload weight – 26730kgs. One 40ft container can hold between 22 to 23 pallets, depending on whether they are standard pallets or EUR-pallets.

WHAT CAN YOU FIT INTO A 40FT CONTAINER?

• 23 EUR-pallets sized 1200mm x 800mm

How Much do TEU and FEU Containers Weigh and What Weight Can They Hold?

Tare weight

20ft

40ft

2.170 tonnes

2170kgs

3.750 tonnes

3750kgs

Max gross weight
 

3.480 tonnes

30480kgs

3.480 tonnes

30480kgs

Total payload weight
 

28.31 tonnes

28310kgs

26.73 tonnes

26730kgs

• The Tare Weight is the weight of the container without cargo or any contents
• The Max Gross Weight is the total maximum weight of the container e.g. the container weight plus the weight of its maximum contents
• The Payload Weight is the total weight which the container can hold

FCL and LCL

FCL and LCL are terms closely related to ocean freight.

When shipping with either TEU and FEU containers you may choose for LCL (less than container load) or FCL (full container load). We have developed a comprehensive blog covering the differences between the two - FCL vs LCL.

When it comes to containers the main points you need to know are:

• With LCL, you pay only for the volume you need - not a flat rate like FCL (read our guide on covering the topic what is LCL)
• LCL is primarily concerned with those who would like to ship fewer items
• compared to air freight LCL can be vastly cheaper in inventory space
• FCL container transports often take place inter-modally, using other modes of transport including ocean, airfreight and road freight from the point of departure to the destination.

TEU & FEU Container Measurements and Weights

TEU and FEU container measurements table code:

How much do TEU and FEU containers weigh table code:

Tare weight
 

20ft
 

40ft
 

2.170 tonnes

2170kgs

3.750 tonnes

3750kgs

Max gross weight
 

3.480 tonnes

30480kgs

3.480 tonnes

30480kgs

Total payload weight
 

2.831 tonnes

28310kgs

2.673 tonnes

26730kgs