Side-by-Side Comparison
Shipping, Boxes & Logistics
Intermodal Shipping Containers vs. ISO Standard Pallet Sizes
Comparing 2 standards across 15 specifications. 15 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Intermodal Shipping Containers
ISO Standard Pallet Sizes
Standard ISO ocean freight containers are engineered under ISO 668 and ISO 1496 into 20-foot and 40-foot standardized modular lengths with 8-foot widths and 8'6" standard or 9'6" High Cube heights. Equipped with ISO corner castings, they enable seamless transfer across cargo ships, trains, and semi-trucks.
Standard shipping pallets are globally regulated under ISO 6780 into six standardized dimension footprints. The European EUR-1 pallet (800 × 1200 mm) and North American GMA pallet (48 × 40 inches / 1016 × 1219 mm) dominate over 80% of global automated warehousing and intermodal freight transport.
Specification Comparison Table
15 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
ISO 668 (Classification & Dimensions) / ISO 1496 (Testing) / CSC Convention | ISO 6780 / EPAL (European Pallet Association) / GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Assoc) |
|
20ft Standard (1 TEU)
|
External: 20'0" × 8'0" × 8'6" (6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m) | Internal: 19'4" × 7'8" × 7'10" (5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m) | — |
|
20ft Tare & Payload
|
Tare Weight: ~2,300 kg (5,070 lbs) | Max Payload: 28,180 kg (62,130 lbs) | Volume: 33.2 m³ (1,172 cu ft) | — |
|
40ft Standard (2 TEU)
|
External: 40'0" × 8'0" × 8'6" (12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m) | Internal: 39'5" × 7'8" × 7'10" (12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m) | — |
|
40ft Tare & Payload
|
Tare Weight: ~3,750 kg (8,268 lbs) | Max Payload: 26,730 kg (58,930 lbs) | Volume: 67.7 m³ (2,390 cu ft) | — |
|
40ft High Cube (HQ)
|
External Height: 9'6" (2.89 m) | Internal Height: 8'10" (2.69 m) | Volume: 76.4 m³ (2,700 cu ft) | — |
|
Door Opening Dimensions
|
Width: 7'8" (2.34 m) | Standard Height: 7'6" (2.28 m) | High Cube Height: 8'6" (2.58 m) | — |
|
Pallet Capacity
|
20ft: 11 Euro pallets / 10 GMA pallets | 40ft: 25 Euro pallets / 20–21 GMA pallets | — |
|
North American Standard (GMA)
|
— | 48.0 × 40.0 in (1219 × 1016 mm) | Height: ~4.75 in (121 mm) | Dynamic Load: 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) |
|
EUR-1 / EPAL 1 (Europe)
|
— | 800 × 1200 × 144 mm (31.5 × 47.2 × 5.7 in) | Dynamic Load: 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs) | Tare: ~25 kg |
|
EUR-2 / Industrial (UK/Europe)
|
— | 1200 × 1000 × 144 mm (47.2 × 39.4 in) | Compatible with ISO 48×40 racking |
|
EUR-3 / Half-Pallet
|
— | 1000 × 1200 × 144 mm (39.4 × 47.2 in) | Chemical and heavy industrial storage |
|
Australian Standard (AS 4068)
|
— | 1165 × 1165 mm (45.9 × 45.9 in) | Engineered to fit Australian railway wagons |
|
Asian Standard (Japan/Korea)
|
— | 1100 × 1100 mm (43.3 × 43.3 in) | Optimized for 20ft/40ft ISO ocean container widths |
|
Phytosanitary Standard
|
— | ISPM 15 Heat Treated (HT) to 56°C for 30 min / Debarked (DB) |
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