One of the first questions an importer asks is how many pieces fit in a container. The honest answer is that it depends on the packing method, but you can estimate a minimum from the catalogue dimensions. This guide shows the calculation and the results for common models, so that you can plan freight and budget before you ask for a quotation.
The assumptions
- Internal volume: about 33 m³ for a 20 ft (20GP), 67 m³ for a 40 ft (40GP) and 76 m³ for a 40 ft high cube (40HQ). These are the commonly quoted figures; actual internal dimensions vary slightly by container.
- Each product is treated as a box of its length × width × height from the catalogue, with no nesting.
- 85% of the volume is usable for loose loading, to allow for the gaps between products and the container walls.
Rubber buckets and tubs are tapered and can be nested, which increases the quantity. The numbers below are therefore a conservative minimum for loose loading.
Estimated quantities
| Model | Box size mm | 20GP | 40GP | 40HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BY007 (7 L) | 230 × 180 × 270 | ≈ 2,500 | ≈ 5,100 | ≈ 5,700 |
| BB012A (12 L) | 340 × 213 × 270 | ≈ 1,430 | ≈ 2,900 | ≈ 3,300 |
| BB020 (20 L) | 385 × 265 × 290 | ≈ 950 | ≈ 1,900 | ≈ 2,180 |
| BT028 (28 L) | 540 × 400 × 170 | ≈ 760 | ≈ 1,550 | ≈ 1,760 |
| BF040 (40 L) | 680 × 500 × 190 | ≈ 430 | ≈ 880 | ≈ 1,000 |
| BP056 (56 L) | 660 × 500 × 250 | ≈ 340 | ≈ 690 | ≈ 780 |
| PP058 (58 L) | 730 × 500 × 260 | ≈ 295 | ≈ 600 | ≈ 680 |
Is weight a limit?
Almost never. A 20GP container has a payload of roughly 28 tonnes. About 950 BB020 buckets at 3.1 kg each weigh about 2.9 tonnes, so the container is full long before it is heavy. Rubber buckets are a volume cargo and freight is priced accordingly.
What changes the numbers
- Nesting. Tapered buckets stack inside each other and use much less space. Nesting is the main way to raise the quantity per container.
- Packing method. Loose loading, cartons, bags or pallets give different results. Cartons protect the product but add volume.
- Mixed loads. Buckets of different sizes can be nested or filled into the gaps. This is common in mixed orders.
- Container type. A 40HQ is about 0.3 m higher than a 40GP, so it holds roughly 15% more for the same footprint.
From estimate to quotation
These figures are for planning. Send us the models and quantities and the destination port, and we will give the loading plan and a quotation. Our factory is in Sanmen, Zhejiang, 120 km from Ningbo Port. See exporting from Ningbo for trade terms and documents.
