The Ultimate Guide to Shipping Container Types: What Every Shipper Should Know in 2025

Why Understanding Shipping Container Types Matters for Global Logistics

As global trade accelerates in 2025, more exporters and eCommerce brands are building independent websites to reach international customers directly. But one challenge remains universal: choosing the right shipping container type for each shipment.

Whether you are sending consumer products, machinery, fresh food, or long oversized cargo, understanding ocean freight containers can significantly reduce logistics costs, prevent cargo damage, and improve transit efficiency.

This article explains all major shipping container types, including GP, High Cube, Double Door, Open Top, Flat Rack, Reefer, and more—using simple language tailored for shippers and logistics teams who need practical guidance for real-world shipping decisions.

Overview of the Most Common Shipping Container Types

Below is a complete breakdown of the container types most frequently used in global ocean freight shipping. Understanding these options will help you make informed decisions that protect your cargo and optimize shipping costs.

Key Container Categories

Modern shipping containers are designed for specific cargo requirements. Selecting the appropriate container type can mean the difference between successful delivery and costly damage claims.

Quick Reference: Container Specifications and Parameters

Understanding container specifications is crucial for accurate freight calculations and cargo planning. Below is a comprehensive comparison of key parameters for the most common container types.

Special Container Parameters Summary

Detailed Container Type Explanations

1. GP Container (General Purpose / Dry Container)

The General Purpose container is the workhorse of international shipping, accounting for approximately 95 percent of all container shipments worldwide.

Specifications:

• Available in 20ft and 40ft sizes
• Standard height: 8 feet 6 inches
• Fully enclosed with weatherproof construction
• Cargo capacity: 20ft (28 CBM), 40ft (58 CBM)

Best For:

• Cartons, boxes, and palletized cargo
• Consumer goods, textiles, and electronics
• Furniture, tools, and general merchandise
• Any cargo that requires weather protection

Why Shippers Choose GP: Most economical option for standard cargo, available at virtually every port worldwide, fastest booking and lowest freight rates.

2. High Cube Container (HC / HQ)

High Cube containers offer 1 foot of extra height compared to standard GP containers, providing approximately 10 percent more cargo volume—critical for lightweight but bulky shipments.

Specifications:

• Height: 9 feet 6 inches (1 foot taller than GP)
• Most common in 40ft size (40HQ)
• Cargo capacity: 40HQ (68 CBM vs 58 CBM for standard)
• Same floor dimensions as standard containers

Best For:

• Lightweight but voluminous cargo
• eCommerce shipments with low-density products
• Furniture and home goods
• Manufacturing parts and components

Cost Benefit: While slightly more expensive than GP containers (typically 10-15 percent premium), High Cube containers can reduce total shipping costs by fitting more cargo per container, potentially eliminating the need for additional shipments.

3. Double Door Container (DD)

Double Door containers feature doors on both ends, solving a critical challenge for shippers of long cargo: safe loading and unloading without damage.

Specifications:

• Doors at both front and rear ends
• Available in 20ft and 40ft sizes
• Same capacity as standard GP containers
• Facilitates easier loading of long materials

Perfect For:

• Steel pipes, aluminum profiles, and metal bars
• Lumber, wood panels, and construction materials
• Long machinery parts and equipment
• Any cargo requiring front-to-back loading access

Damage Prevention: Double doors eliminate the need to angle long cargo through a single opening, significantly reducing the risk of scratches, dents, and structural damage during loading operations.

4. Open Top Container (OT)

Open Top containers feature a removable tarpaulin roof instead of a solid top, enabling crane loading for over-height cargo that cannot fit through standard container doors.

Ideal Applications:

• Heavy machinery and industrial equipment
• Large engines and generators
• Construction materials requiring top loading
• Tall cargo exceeding standard door height

5. Flat Rack Container (FR / FK)

Flat Rack containers have collapsible or no side walls, making them essential for oversized, overweight, or irregularly shaped cargo that cannot fit in standard containers.

Commonly Used For:

• Industrial machinery and factory equipment
• Vehicles, boats, and yachts
• Large generators and transformers
• Steel structures and construction modules
• Any cargo exceeding standard container dimensions

6. Reefer Container (RF / Refrigerated)

Reefer Containers are designed for cargo that must be transported under temperature-controlled conditions, making them essential for food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries. Equipped with built-in cooling units, reefer containers maintain stable temperatures throughout the entire shipping journey, whether by sea, land, or multimodal transport.

Specifications:

• Available in 20ft and 40ft sizes

• Temperature range: -30°C to +30°C (varies by model)

• Built-in refrigeration and insulation system

• Airflow management for cold-chain stability

• Cargo capacity: 20ft RF (26–28 CBM), 40ft RF (55–60 CBM)

• Power supply required during storage and transit (port & vessel)

Best For:

• Frozen food: meat, seafood, poultry

• Fresh produce: fruits, vegetables, dairy

• Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies

• Temperature-sensitive chemicals

• Any cargo requiring stable, controlled temperatures

Why Shippers Choose Reefer Containers:

Refrigerated containers ensure precise temperature control, preserving product quality throughout the supply chain. They are crucial for global cold-chain logistics and offer reliability, consistent airflow, and compliance with food/pharma standards (HACCP, GDP, FDA, etc.).

7. Ventilated Container (VENT / Coffee Container)

Ventilated Containers provide natural or mechanical airflow to prevent condensation inside the container—making them the preferred choice for moisture-sensitive agricultural products. These containers are equipped with ventilation openings along the top and bottom rails.

Specifications:

• Available in 20ft and occasionally 40ft

• Natural or forced ventilation systems

• Standard 8 ft 6 in height

• Cargo capacity similar to GP containers

• Prevents humidity buildup and mildew

Best For:

• Coffee beans

• Cocoa beans

• Tea leaves

• Spices, nuts, and dried agricultural products

• Any cargo requiring moisture control and airflow

Why Shippers Choose Vent Containers:

Ventilated containers reduce the risk of mold, fermentation, and humidity damage during long voyages—especially critical for tropical agricultural exports. They are widely used in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia for commodity shipments.

8. Flexitank Container (Bulk Liquid Container)

A Flexitank Container is a standard 20ft GP container fitted with a flexible, disposable liquid bladder (flexitank), transforming it into a cost-efficient solution for bulk liquid transportation. Flexitanks provide up to 24,000 liters of liquid capacity, replacing the need for drums and IBC totes.

Specifications:

• Installed inside 20ft GP containers

• Liquid capacity: 16,000–24,000 liters

• Single-use, food-grade or chemical-grade options

• Multi-layer polyethylene construction

• Suitable for non-hazardous liquids

• Requires professional installation to avoid damage

Best For:

• Edible oils (palm oil, olive oil, soybean oil)

• Food liquids: juice, wine, syrup

• Non-hazardous chemicals

• Industrial liquids: lubricants, additives

• Any bulk liquid requiring low-cost transport

Why Shippers Choose Flexitanks:

Flexitanks can reduce costs by 30–40% compared to drums or ISO tanks. They maximize capacity, reduce labor in filling/emptying, eliminate container cleaning fees, and minimize contamination risk thanks to single-use liners.