Ever tried fitting your cargo into a standard shipping container, only to find it’s just a bit too tall? That extra few inches can make all the difference between a successful shipment and costly adjustments.
The solution?
A High Cube (HC) container.
Specifically designed to handle taller or bulkier cargo, HC containers offer extra vertical space that helps businesses optimise logistics without compromising on efficiency.
In this blog, you will get a clear and comprehensive guide to high cube (HC) containers, including their dimensions, differences from standard containers, and ideal use cases in shipping and storage.
What is a High Cube Container?
To understand a cube container, think back to the rectangular cuboids you learned about in school math classes. A standard cube container is a real-life example of that shape.
These types of containers are structurally similar to a standard dry container, except that they’re approximately 12 inches (30 cm) taller. This makes it ideal for transporting oversized or bulky goods that exceed the internal height of a standard container. They are available in various sizes, including 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, and even 53ft, offering significant flexibility across logistics operations.
High Cube vs Standard Containers: Key Differences
While both standard and high cube containers serve the purpose of transporting dry cargo, their usability differs based on cargo size. The primary distinction is in height, which directly affects internal volume and usability.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Standard Container | High Cube Container |
| Internal Height | 2.39 m (7.84 ft) | 2.69–2.89 m (8.85–9.48 ft) |
| External Height | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.89 m (9.5 ft) |
| Use Case | General cargo | Tall/bulky cargo |
| Cost Efficiency | Best for standard loads | Better for large/tall loads |
| Availability | Widely available | Available in select sizes |
The extra height in HC containers provides up to 13% more internal volume than standard ones, making them a cost-effective choice when dealing with large shipments.
20ft & 40ft High Cube Container Dimensions
The two most commonly used HC container sizes are the 20 ft and 40 ft high cube containers. Both offer increased cubic capacity without increasing the container’s footprint.
Here’s a breakdown of their specifications:
| Specification | 20 ft High Cube Container Dimensions | 40 ft High Cube Container Dimensions |
| Internal Length | 5.90 m (19.36 ft) | 12.03 m (39.47 ft) |
| Internal Width | 2.35 m (7.72 ft) | 2.35 m (7.71 ft) |
| Internal Height | 2.69 m (8.85 ft) | 2.7 m (8.86 ft) |
| Cubic Capacity | 37.2 m³ (1,316.5 cu ft) | 76.4 m³ (2,696.9 cu ft) |
This added vertical space allows more flexibility in loading configurations, stacking, and accommodating tall equipment or goods.
When to Use High Cube Containers
Knowing when to opt for a high cube container can help maximise shipping efficiency and avoid unnecessary costs. Here are scenarios where HC containers are the ideal choice:
- Oversized or Tall Cargo: When your cargo exceeds the height of a standard container, a high cube container offers the extra space needed to accommodate it without modifications.
- Vertical Stacking: If your goods can be stacked vertically like boxes, crates, or pallets, HC containers maximise storage efficiency without increasing the floor space.
- Industrial Equipment and Machinery: Heavy-duty equipment often comes in large sizes. The extra internal height in an HC container makes it ideal for shipping industrial and construction machinery.
- Limited Floor Space for Storage: When ground area is restricted but vertical space is available, HC containers serve as great on-site storage units by utilising height effectively.
Applications of HC Containers in Shipping and Logistics
High cube containers are widely used across industries due to their adaptability and added space. Some of their most common applications include:
- Transporting construction machinery
- Shipping agricultural equipment
- Moving industrial goods
- Serving as portable site storage units
- Creating container homes or modular offices
- Delivering bulk retail inventory
- Supporting automotive logistics
Their extra height gives logistics professionals greater control over space management and cargo safety.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever faced the challenge of shipping items that just won’t fit into a standard container, you already understand the problem. High cube containers solve this by offering extra vertical room, increased capacity, and more flexibility in cargo management.
Whether you’re shipping machinery, storing goods, or building out a modular structure, HC containers are a smart, scalable solution for modern logistics.
At Arcon Containers, we offer a wide range of Special Containers that can transport cargo beyond the size capacity of standard Dry Van containers. If you’re looking for durable, versatile, and space-efficient container solutions, we’d like to help.
Reach out to us today and let’s find the right container for your cargo needs.
