Container Sizes

20ft Shipping Containers

The all-rounder for homes and businesses

The 20ft shipping container is by far the most popular size. With over 33 cubic metres of space, it’s big enough to handle the contents of a three-bedroom house, plenty of retail stock, or building materials for a busy site. That’s why it’s the go-to choice for households, construction companies, retailers, and freight operators across New Zealand.

If you’re looking for a 20ft container for sale in NZ or want to hire one short or long-term, this size gives you the best balance between capacity and ease of use. It’s large enough for serious storage, but still easy enough to move and position.

Key Details

External 20ft container dimensions

6.10m (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.59m (H)

Internal 20ft container dimensions

5.90m (L) x 2.35m (W) x 2.39m (H)

High Cube Height

2.89m

How many cubic meters in a 20-foot container?

33.1m³

20ft container weight

About 2,200kg

NOTE: Specifications can very depending on the model.

Common Questions

Do they lock up?

Most 20ft containers can be secured with a lock on the locking rods. Newer units come with a lockbox already fitted, and we can install one on older units if you want extra protection.

Are they watertight?

Yes, all hire and sale containers are wind and watertight, built to handle New Zealand conditions. If we ever have a unit that isn’t, we’ll clearly disclose its condition.

How much can they store?

A 20ft container holds 33.1m³ of space, which works out to about 10–11 standard pallets, around 1,200 cartons of wine, or the contents of a typical three-bedroom home.

How do you move a 20-foot shipping container?

Because a 20ft container weighs over two tonnes empty, you’ll need a Hiab truck, swing-lift, or crane to move it safely. We can help organise delivery.

Why Choose a 20ft Shipping Container?

The 20ft container size is the all-rounder. It works for household moves, overflow storage, and long-term storage, or just moving freight, without being as heavy or hard to handle as a 40ft unit. If you only need one container that can do it all, the 20-foot shipping container is the safe choice.