Compute pallet positions per ocean container including 20', 40', 40HC, and 45HC. Reports floor positions, double-stack capacity, weight cap, and ISPM-15 export requirements.
Ocean Container Pallet Loading Calculator
All wood pallets and dunnage exported from the US must be ISPM-15 heat-treated and IPPC-stamped per APHIS rule 7 CFR 319.40. Container weight caps are CSC plate maximums; carrier or port may impose lower limits. Always check your booking confirmation.
How This Calculator Works
Ocean container interior dimensions are tighter than US road trailers because containers are designed to fit standardized port crane spreaders. A 40' standard container has 474" of interior length, 92" of width, and 93" of height - 8.4% less width and 15.5% less height than a 53' US dry van. This means GMA 48x40 pallets fit 20 positions per 40' container straight-loaded vs 26 in a US dry van.
EUR pallets (1200x800mm) fit ocean containers more efficiently than US-domestic dry vans because the 1200mm dimension aligns with European intermodal pallets - 21 EUR pallets fit a 40' container straight, 25 in a 40' high cube. For inbound US shipments, transloading from EUR to GMA pallets at the port adds $1.25-2.50/pallet but improves road trailer utilization by 8-15%.
ISPM-15 Requirement for All Wood Packaging
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) ISPM-15 rule requires all solid wood packaging material - pallets, dunnage, crates, and bracing - leaving the US to be heat-treated to 56C core temperature for 30 minutes (or methyl bromide fumigated, though MB is being phased out by major importing nations) and stamped with the IPPC mark including country code, treatment code (HT or MB), and producer registration number. APHIS enforces this under 7 CFR 319.40 with civil penalties up to $1,000 per non-compliant pallet at port of export inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pallets fit in a 40' standard container?
20 GMA 48x40 pallets straight-loaded (2 rows of 10), 21 EUR pallets straight-loaded, or 22-24 with optimal pinwheel configuration. Double-stacking adds 100% capacity if stack height clears the 93" interior; high-cube containers (105" interior) accept taller double stacks. Weight cap on 40' standard containers is approximately 59,040 lbs payload after subtracting tare weight.
How many pallets fit in a 20' container?
10 GMA 48x40 pallets floor-loaded (2 rows of 5), 11 EUR pallets straight-loaded. Double-stack capacity depends on SKU stack height vs 93" interior. 20' containers have a higher payload-to-volume ratio than 40' (47,900 lb cap on 1,172 cubic feet), making them best for dense/heavy SKUs like canned goods, machinery parts, and chemicals.
Do export pallets need ISPM-15 certification?
Yes. Per APHIS rule 7 CFR 319.40, all solid wood packaging material - pallets, dunnage, crates - leaving the United States must be ISPM-15 heat-treated to 56C core temperature for 30 minutes and IPPC-stamped. Civil penalties up to $1,000 per non-compliant pallet at port inspection. United States Pallets stocks ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets in all 50 states with same-day shipping in our core footprint.
What is the difference between 40' standard and 40' high cube containers?
40' high cube (40HC) containers are 12" taller than 40' standard containers - 105" interior height vs 93". Same length (474") and width (92"). HC containers add about 13% more cubic volume (2,694 cu ft vs 2,385 cu ft) at the same ocean freight rate, making them preferred for low-density SKUs like apparel, plastics, and packaged consumer goods. Heavy SKUs hit the same 58,820 lb weight cap.
Can I double-stack pallets in an ocean container?
Yes, if your stack height + 4" of bracing/airbag clearance is at or below the container interior height (93" standard, 105" high cube). Double-stacking requires customer acceptance and SKU crush rating - bagged grain, canned goods, and cased beverages typically tolerate double stacks; flat-pack furniture and electronics often do not. Double-stacking cuts ocean freight cost-per-pallet roughly in half on volume routes.
What is the maximum container payload weight?
Maximum payload (cargo + pallets) is the CSC plate gross weight minus container tare. 20': approximately 47,900 lbs payload (52,910 lb gross - 5,010 lb tare). 40' standard: 59,040 lbs payload. 40' high cube: 58,820 lbs payload. 45' high cube: 58,360 lbs payload. Carriers may impose lower per-unit caps on certain trade lanes - check your booking confirmation.
