ISO Shipping Container Info & Dimensions

This information is provided as a convenient quick reference only. This information is subject to change without notice and is outside of the control of Tandemloc.

This information was developed from ISO Standards 668, 1161, 1496 and 3874

View ISO-668 Chart

Container Lift Spreaders Container Lift Slings

ISO Container Lifting

• For the purpose of container handling and securing, a "loaded container" is a container other than in the tare (empty) condition.
• Unless otherwise confirmed, containers should be treated as loaded.
• The term loaded means the maximum gross weight rating of the container.
• Wind and other environmental conditions must be considered when handling or securing containers.
• The cargo shall be distributed throughout the container to ensure that the center of gravity is kept as central and as low as possible:
• to avoid excessive tilting;
• to avoid overstressing either the container or the handling equipment;
• to avoid unacceptable vehicle axle loading;
• to avoid a lack of vehicle stability;
• to avoid unacceptable load concentrations.
• The eccentricity of the center of gravity for the loaded container varies with the distribution of load within the container; designers of containers and handling equipment should take this fact into account. As an example, when 60% of the load by mass is distributed in 50% of the container length measured from one end, the eccentricity corresponds to 5%.
• Care shall be taken to ensure that the equipment used is suitable for the load and is safely attached to the container and that the container is free to be handled.
• In the case of a single-point lift, special attention should be paid to the risk of the container tilting owing to the eccentricity of the center of gravity.
• Care shall be taken when lifting a container whose center of gravity is mobile or eccentric, e.g. a tank container, a bulk container, a container with a liquid bulk bag, a container with hanging cargo or a thermal container with a refrigerating unit (integral or clip-on).
• Containers may be handled by methods other than those specified in the following section but only after careful evaluation of the equipment by means of which the container is to be handled and of the methods of operation envisaged, with respect to international container standards.

Nominal Lengths of Freight Containers

• Ref: ISO 668:2013 (E)
• Measurements apply when measured at 68 Deg F / 20 Deg C.
• Actual length of a 10', 20' and 30' ISO container is less than the nominal length

Corner Fitting Locations

See Tandemloc Corner Fittings

Freight Container Designation	S (ref.)		P (ref.)		K1 Max.		K2 Max
	MM	FT / IN	MM	FT / IN	MM	IN	MM	IN
1EEE 1EE	13509	44 3 7/8	2259	7 4 31/32	19	3/4	10	3/8
1AAA 1AA 1A 1AX	11985	39 3 7/8	2259	7 4 31/32	19	3/4	10	3/8
1BBB 1BB 1B 1BX	8918	29 3 1/8	2259	7 4 31/32	16	5/8	10	3/8
1CC 1C 1CX	5853	19 2 7/16	2259	7 4 31/32	13	1/2	10	3/8
1D 1DX	2787	9 1 23/32	2259	7 4 31/32	10	3/8	10	3/8
NOTE: Attention of manufacturers is drawn to the vital importance of accurately maintaining the reference dimensions of S and P. The tolerances to be applied to S and P are governed by the tolerances shown for overall length and width in this International Standard and in ISO 1161.
1. K1 is the difference between D1and D2 or between D3 and D4; therefore K1=D1-D2 or K1=D3-D4 2. K2 is the difference between D5 and D6; therefore K2=D5-D6

Container Handling and Securing Considerations (Ref ISO 3874 2007 amendment 4)

View Summary of Specified Lifting Methods

Summary of Allowable and Not Allowable Lifting Methods

• Lifting containers from the top corner fitting with forces applied other than vertically, is not allowed according to ISO 3874: 1997 (E) EXCEPT:
• Empty containers (except empty platform-based containers and platform based with ends, which shall not be lifted other than with forces applied vertically from the top corners).
• When lifting empty containers, the sling angle should not be less than 60 degrees from the horizontal plane.
• Ten-foot containers using a sling angle of not less than 60 degrees to the horizontal plane.
• Containers may be lifted from the side apertures of all four bottom corner fittings by means of a sling. The attachment fittings should not exert forces more than 1.5 inches away from the outer face of the Corner Fitting.
• The minimum lifting angle for loaded containers lifted from the bottom corners is as follows: