Wide range of shipping containers at HZ CONTAINERS
Welcome to the comprehensive page dedicated to the world of shipping containers. This glossary is your guide to all aspects of the HZ CONTAINERS offer – from technical parameters, through types and specifications, to legislative requirements and modern use in architecture. I have drawn from the most up‑to‑date Czech professional sources, including Kuehne+Nagel, hz‑containers.com and legal advisors, to create the most comprehensive and current market overview.
Basics: What is an intermodal shipping container?
Definition and significance
Intermodal container is a large closed steel box, standardized for safe and efficient transport of goods across various transport modes – ship, train and truck – without the need to unload the cargo itself. Thanks to this standardization defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it is now possible to move goods from one continent to another without interfering with its contents.
Advantages of intermodal containers:
- Fast handling at all logistics nodes
- Minimisation of cargo damage and reduction of theft risk
- Easy stacking and storage
ISO standards and container dimensions
Key standards: ISO 668 and ISO 1496
Container standardisation is the foundation of global transport efficiency. Most often you will encounter the so‑called ISO 1 containers, which are further divided into types 1C (20‑foot), 1CC (20‑foot high cube), 1A (40‑foot), 1AA (40‑foot high cube), 1AAA (45‑foot high cube).
- ISO 668: Defines dimensions, classification and load capacity of individual container types.
- ISO 1496: Specifies construction requirements, internal/external dimensions and safety standards of containers.
Table of main ISO container dimensions:
| Container type | External length (mm) | External width (mm) | External height (mm) | Internal length (mm) | Internal width (mm) | Internal height (mm) | Volume (m³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ Standard | 6 058 | 2 438 | 2 591 | 5 900 | 2 350 | 2 390 | ~33 |
| 40′ Standard | 12 192 | 2 438 | 2 591 | 12 030 | 2 350 | 2 390 | ~67 |
| 40′ High Cube | 12 192 | 2 438 | 2 896 | 12 030 | 2 350 | 2 690 | ~76 |
| 45′ High Cube | 13 716 | 2 438 | 2 896 | 13 556 | 2 350 | 2 690 | ~86 |
Source: HZ CONTAINERS – ISO dimensions
All ISO containers have universal corner castings for easy lifting, securing and stacking.
Types of shipping containers
Standard containers (General Purpose)
- 20′ (1C) and 40′ (1A) DC (Dry Cargo): Fully enclosed, watertight, ideal for ordinary palletised or boxed goods.
- High Cube (HC): About 30 cm taller than standard, suitable for lightweight, bulky cargo or residential conversions such as shipping container homes.
- Pallet Wide (PW): Wider internal dimension for optimal use of Euro‑pallets (two side by side without gaps).
- Double Door: Allows loading/unloading from both ends, useful for splitting cargo.
Special containers
| Type | Common dimensions | Specifics and uses |
|---|---|---|
| Open Top | 20′, 40′ | Top loading, heavy and oversized cargo (machinery, scrap) |
| Flat Rack | 20′, 40′ | Floor and end frames only, no walls/roof; machinery, vehicles |
| Platform | 20′, 40′ | Floor only, extremely heavy and oversized cargo |
| Refrigerated (Reefer) | 20′, 40′ HC | Cooled/temperature‑controlled, own refrigeration unit; food, pharmaceuticals |
| Insulated/Thermal | 20′, 40′ | Passive insulation, stable temperature without active cooling |
| Ventilated | 20′ | For goods requiring air circulation (coffee, cocoa) |
| Tank (Tanktainer) | 20′ | Liquids, gases, powders, food‑grade and chemical |
| Half‑Height | 20′ | Half height, heavy bulk materials, construction |
Detailed breakdown and technical parameters can be found at the container classification and dimensions sections of the HZ CONTAINERS website.
Container condition: New vs. used
New containers (“One‑Trip”)
- Produced mainly in Asia, only one journey to Europe.
- Minimal signs of wear, no corrosion, almost as‑new from manufacture.
- Suitable for long‑term storage, business modifications and demanding construction projects.
Used containers
Used containers are classified by condition:
| Abbreviation | Designation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CW | Cargo Worthy | Structurally fit for transport, inspected |
| WWT | Wind and Watertight | Tight, no leaks, suitable for safe storage |
| ASIS | As Is | No guarantee, cheap, often needs repair |
Prices are significantly lower than for new containers.
Innovative uses: Housing, offices and construction cells
Container housing
Construction modifications and legislation are governed by Building Act No. 183/2006 Coll. An amendment from July 2024 permits building minor structures up to 40 m² without a building permit, which includes many residential containers and shipping container houses.
Key points:
- Larger projects or permanent housing require a building permit or notification.
- Local zoning, hygiene and fire regulations must be observed.
- Building a container house is fast, ecological and cost‑effective.
Advantages of container housing:
- Modularity and expandability
- Rapid implementation (weeks)
- Durability and long service life
- Sustainability (steel recycling)
Disadvantages:
- Need for insulation and interior finishing
- Building permit required for larger structures
- Zoning restrictions
Mobile offices, garages and technical facilities
- Offices: Insulation, electrical installation, air‑conditioning, windows and custom entrance doors.
- Garages and warehouses: Secure storage of vehicles, machinery or material; possibility to install doors, shelves, racks.
Key logistics terms
Intermodal transport
Transport of goods in a single container by multiple transport modes (ship, train, truck) without cargo handling. It ensures speed and minimises damage.
Loading and unloading (stuffing & stripping)
- Professional load distribution is essential for stability during transport.
- Use of securing devices, dunnage and anti‑movement measures.
- Handling with cranes, forklifts, portal cranes.
Freight forwarding
A forwarding company manages the complete transport process – space reservation, documentation, customs clearance, insurance, shipment tracking.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which container is suitable for building a house?
Ideally a new or lightly used 40′ HC container for interior height and flexibility.
Can I place a residential container without a permit?
If the shipping container house is up to 40 m² and meets other conditions, a simple notification is sufficient (no permit required from 2024). Larger structures always require consultation with the building authority.
What is the difference between CW and WWT?
*CW (Cargo Worthy): Suitable for transport, inspected.
WWT (Wind and Watertight): Suitable for storage, not certified for transport.
What is the service life of a shipping container?
With proper maintenance and corrosion protection, 30 years or more.
Can containers be stacked?
Yes, thanks to ISO corner castings, up to eight layers in ports.
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Shipping container types
Roughly 80% of everything you own traveled to you inside a steel box. Shipping containers—also called cargo containers, ISO containers, or “conex” boxes—are the backbone of global trade, carrying about 90% of the world’s non-bulk cargo across oceans, rails, and highways. Yet a “shipping container” is not one single object. It is a family of specialized steel boxes, each engineered for a specific kind of cargo: some vent, some freeze, some open from the top, and some have no walls at all.
Where Can I Buy a 40ft High Cube Container?
A 40ft high cube container represents one of the most versatile and cost-effective storage and shipping solutions available today. Whether you are expanding warehouse capacity, starting a container home project, or need secure on-site storage for a construction site, knowing where to buy one — and what to expect — can save you thousands of dollars and weeks of frustration. This guide walks you through every aspect of purchasing a 40ft high cube container, from understanding what it actually is to comparing sellers, navigating delivery logistics, and handling permits.
How much does a 40 foot shipping container cost?
A 40 foot shipping container is the single most common large-format steel container in the world. Whether you are adding on-site storage, moving freight overseas, or converting a unit into a home or workshop, the first question almost everyone asks is the same: how much does a 40 foot shipping container cost?
The short answer is that a 40 foot shipping container price in the United States typically lands between $1,500 and $7,000 depending on condition, height, location, and delivery. Used, wind-and-watertight 40ft units often start near $1,500–$2,700, while a brand-new one-trip 40ft high cube can exceed $4,000–$6,500. The gap between those two ends of the range is wide because a “shipping container” is not one product—it is a graded commodity whose value shifts with its physical condition, its market, and even the distance from your site to a major port.
How to move a shipping container
Moving a shipping container is rarely as simple as “put it on a truck and drive.” A standard steel container weighs over two tons even when empty, spans 20 to 40 feet (or more), and has no wheels, no hitch, and no built-in way to attach to standard equipment. Whether you are repositioning a storage container across a jobsite, delivering one to a rural property, or relocating a loaded unit across the country, the method you choose determines your cost, your timeline, and whether the move succeeds at all.