How many pallets fit in a shipping container and how to stack them correctly
The question “How many pallets fit in a shipping container and how to stack them correctly” is one of the key challenges in international logistics, transport, and warehousing. The largest logistics companies and small businesses alike face daily decisions on how to effectively use space in a container, minimize costs, and simultaneously ensure the safety of goods. Proper planning of pallet loading is essential for optimizing the supply chain, reducing damage to goods, and complying with legal transport limits.
Planning is not just a matter of simple volume calculation, but a complex discipline where geometry, statics, physics, and current international standards play a role. Effective container loading requires knowledge of pallet and container types, fixation techniques, software tools, and current regulations, especially regarding wood packaging material.
Pallet types in global and European logistics
The basic building block of any transport unit is the pallet. There are several standardized types in the world, and knowledge of them is absolutely essential for proper loading planning.
| Pallet Type | Dimensions (mm) | Height (mm) | Load Capacity (kg) | Most Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR pallet (Euro) | 1200 x 800 | 144 | up to 1500 | Road, rail, sea transport |
| Industrial (ISO) | 1200 x 1000 | 144–162 | up to 1500 | Chemical, construction, export outside Europe |
| Half EUR (1/2) | 800 x 600 | 144 | 500–1000 | Retail, urban logistics |
| Chemical pallet (CP) | 1200 x 1000, 1200×800 | 144–162 | up to 1500 | Chemical industry, standardization |
| American (GMA) | 1219 x 1016 | ~140 | up to 1500 | USA, transatlantic logistics, food |
Other regional variants
- Asian pallet: 1100 x 1100 mm, typical in Japan and Southeast Asia.
- British pallet: 1200 x 1000 mm (also called UK Standard), historically widespread in British warehouses.
Note: Pallet dimensions fundamentally affect the number of pallets that can be loaded into a container.
Standard shipping container types and their dimensions
Modern transport is built on ISO standards, which define the dimensions and load capacities of containers.
| Container Type | Internal Length (m) | Internal Width (m) | Internal Height (m) | Volume (m³) | Max. Payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ DC | 5.90 | 2.35 | 2.39 | 33 | 21,800 |
| 40′ DC | 12.03 | 2.35 | 2.39 | 67 | 26,500 |
| 40′ HC | 12.03 | 2.35 | 2.70 | 76 | 26,000 |
| 20′ Pallet Wide | 5.90 | 2.45 | 2.39 | 34 | 21,800 |
| 40′ Pallet Wide | 12.03 | 2.45 | 2.39 | 70 | 26,500 |
| 40′ Reefer | 11.56 | 2.28 | 2.54 | 58 | 29,000 |
Source: HZ-Containers – pallet quantity
Table: How many pallets fit into individual container types
| Container Type | EUR Pallet (1200×800, one layer) | Industrial Pallet (1200×1000) | Pallet Wide (EUR pallet) | GMA Pallet (1219×1016) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ DC | 11 | 9–10 | 14 | 10 |
| 40′ DC | 23–25 | 20–21 | 30 | 20–21 |
| 40′ HC | 23–25 (higher stacking) | 20–21 | 30 (higher stacking) | 20–21 |
| 40′ Reefer | 20–23 | 18–20 | – | 18–19 |
Note: The number of pallets in layers can be increased by stacking if the height of the goods allows it.
Key variables affecting container capacity
- Container type and size: Determines the maximum number of pallets (see tables above).
- Pallet type and size: The difference between EUR, industrial, GMA, or others can mean the loss/gain of several positions.
- Height and nature of cargo: Important for the possibility of stacking. Light, firmly packed goods (e.g., bottled water) can be stacked; fragile goods (glass, electronics) often cannot.
- Cargo weight: Must be lower than the maximum payload of the container (PAYLOAD).
- Loading method: Pallet orientation, alternating directions, use of gaps, and fixation elements.
Loading optimization: Strategies and software tools
Effective loading is often a matter of geometry and planning. Manual planning is time-consuming and often leads to inefficient use of space. Modern logistics therefore uses advanced software tools like Goodloading, CargoWiz, and LoadPlanner, which allow:
- 3D visualization of container loading with the possibility of simulating various scenarios.
- Calculation of the optimal number of pallets depending on the type, size, and height of the goods.
- Automatic recognition of unused spaces and suggestions for filling them with smaller packaging material.
- Consideration of weight distribution and cargo stability.
- Creation of print reports for loading and inspection (including instructions for warehouse workers).
Techniques for proper pallet arrangement in a container
The problem of the European EUR pallet in an ISO container
- The internal width of a standard container (2.35 m) does not allow placing two EUR pallets side by side by their longer side (2 x 1.2 m = 2.4 m).
- This leads to unused width and the creation of gaps, which should be filled with fixation material or smaller packages.
EUR pallet loading scheme:
- Alternating placement: One pallet longitudinally, the second transversely, repeat. This minimizes gaps and allows loading up to 11 pallets in a 20′ container and 23–25 pallets in a 40′ container.
- Pallet Wide containers: Thanks to their greater width, they allow two EUR pallets side by side without gaps, significantly increasing space utilization.
Vertical stacking
- Increases the number of pallets in the container if the nature of the goods and height allow it.
- Tall goods: Use 40′ High Cube containers.
- Low pallets: Possibility of stacking in two or more layers.
Fixation techniques (Dunnage)
- Air bags: Placed between pallets or between pallets and container walls.
- Wooden crossbars, plywood reinforcements: Fix the goods against movement.
- Lashing straps: Secure pallets to the container’s anchor points.
- Film and stretch-wrap: Strengthens and stabilizes goods on the pallet.
Advanced aspects of safety and regulation
Weight and volume limits
- Weight limit: Often reached earlier (for heavy goods) than the volume limit (for light goods).
- Check: The maximum permitted weight is indicated on the container door (“PAYLOAD”, “MAX. CARGO”).
- Example: Steel parts reach the limit with 8 pallets, even though 11 would fit by volume.
Mandatory phytosanitary treatment of pallets (IPPC/ISPM 15)
- ISPM 15: All wood packaging material (pallets, spacers, reinforcements) must be treated (Heat Treatment – HT) and marked with an IPPC stamp.
- Non-compliance: Risk of shipment return or destruction of packaging material at the sender’s expense.
Specifics of refrigerated (reefer) containers
- Internal space is smaller (due to insulation).
- Space for air circulation: It is necessary to leave gaps between pallets and walls/top for cooling the goods.
- Capacity: 20′ Reefer – 9–10 EUR pallets, 40′ Reefer – 20–23 EUR pallets.
Most common mistakes and practical recommendations
- Incorrect weight distribution: Can cause axle overload of the vehicle during unloading/transport.
- Underestimating stackability: Fragile goods cannot be stacked, even if “on paper” more pallets would fit.
- Forgetting fixation material: Every gap should be secured so that the goods do not shift during sea transport.
- Omitting ISPM 15: Unmarked wooden material means a risk of shipment delay at customs.
Related terms and standards
- Europallet (EUR/EPAL): The most widespread standardized pallet in Europe (1200 x 800 mm).
- ISO container: International standard for dimensions, construction, and marking of shipping containers.
- Pallet Wide container: A container with greater width, optimized for European pallets.
- Stacking: Placing pallets (or containers) in multiple layers on top of each other.
- Dunnage: Fixation material for stabilizing cargo (air bags, wood, cardboard).
- ISPM 15: Standard for the treatment of wood packaging material.
- Payload: The maximum permitted weight of cargo in a container.
Czech Republic, Hodonín 
FREE SHIPPING 
Other container news...
Corner Casting – Repair or Replacement?
Corner casting is the cornerstone of safety and global interoperability in container shipping. Its inviolability and the prohibition of welding repairs are the result of decades of experience, testing and tragic accidents. Proper inspection, timely replacement and compliance with all standards are the responsibility of every container operator and repairer.
What VAT is for Shipping Containers in the EU?
VAT (value added tax) on shipping containers in the European Union is a complex system, the application of which depends on the specific business model, the status of the entities and the type of transaction. The key is to distinguish whether the container is the subject of sale, serves as a transport packaging, or is an international transport regime.
Freezer Container Rental from HZ KONTEJNERY s.r.o.
Renting a freezer container from HZ KONTEJNERY s.r.o. is the answer to the current needs of modern logistics and storage. Thanks to the robust construction, precise technology, high mobility and comprehensive service, you will be sure that your goods will remain safely stored under all circumstances. Whether you need to cover a seasonal peak, handle an accident, or expand the capacity of your cold storage without high investments, this product is the right solution. Do not hesitate to contact the specialists of HZ KONTEJNERY for an individual offer and further information!
What Kind of Goods Are Transported in a Swap Body – Wechselbehälter
A swap body (German: Wechselbehälter, often abbreviated WAB) is a standardized transport unit that can be easily separated from the chassis of a road vehicle and placed on support legs. This design allows for the rapid exchange of loaded and empty bodies between different vehicles or for transhipment between road and rail transport without the need for heavy handling equipment.