ISO Dimensions of Shipping Containers and the Code meanings

ISO containers are the ideal shipping container as their dimensions are regulated by the International Standards Organization (ISO). These regulations allow ISO containers to use space as efficiently as possible regardless of the method of transport.

Height

Standard ISO containers measure 8 ft. 6 in., but they are available in several discrete heights measuring from 4 ft. to 9 ft. 6 in.  Containers that measure 9 ft. 6 in. tall are called extended height or high cube containers while 4 ft. and 4 ft. 6 in. containers may be referenced as half height containers.

 

Width

The majority of all ISO containers measure 8 ft. or 2,438 mm wide. ISO Containers that exceed this dimension are grouped into two other size ranges. Alpha characters C, D, E, and F identify containers that are greater than 2,438 mm, but less than 2,500 mm. Containers that exceed 2,500 mm are referenced by L, M, N, and P.

 

Length

The most common lengths are 20 and 40 ft. Other lengths include 24, 28, 44, 45, 46, 53, and 56 ft.

 

Coding, Identifying, and Marking

 

The standard used to identify intermodal (shipping) containers is ISO 6346:1995. This standardized identification system is used to give each container a unique marking. The code can be further broken up into three parts an ISO 6346 (BIC) code, a size and type code, and additional optional markings.

 

Image Credit: The Geography of Transport Systems

 

ISO 6346 (BIC) Codes

 

The ISO 6346 (BIC) code identifies the owner of the container, the product group, and contains a unique serial number and check digit that identifies the container. The company code or owner code is the first three alpha characters. This abbreviation is registered with an international organization, Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal, ensuring every company has a unique code. The product group U is used for all intermodal containers while J is used for equipment attachments and Z designates chassis or frames used to carry intermodal containers. The serial number identifies an individual container and is cross referenced with the check digit.

 

Image Credit: BSL Containers

Size and Type Codes

 

The size and type code is a four character code that represents the length, height, width, and type of container. The first character specifies the length, the second the height and width, and the last two characters specify the type of container as shown in the table below. 

  

Code	Group code	Type	Type code	Principal characteristics
G	GP	Unventilated general purpose container	G0	Openings at one or both ends
			G1	Vents in upper part of cargo space
			G2	Openings at one or both end(s), plus "full" openings at one or both sides
			G3	Openings at one or both end(s), plus "partial" openings at one or both sides
			G4	Spare
			G5	Spare
			G6	Spare
			G7	Spare
			G8	Spare
			G9	Spare
V	VH	General purpose containers with ventilation	V0	Non-mechanical ventilation at the lower and upper parts of the cargo space
			V1	Spare
			V2	Mechanical ventilation installed in the container
			V3	Spare
			V4	Mechanical ventilation installed outside the container
			V5	Spare
			V6	Spare
			V7	Spare
			V8	Spare
			V9	Spare
B	BU	Dry bulk containers, non-pressure-resistant	B0	Closed
			B1	Airtight
	BK	Pressurized	B2	Spare
			B3	Horizontal discharge, test pressure 150 kPa
			B4	Horizontal discharge, test pressure 265 kPa
			B5	Tipping discharge, test pressure 150 kPa
			B6	Tipping discharge, test pressure 265 kPa
			B7	Spare
			B8	Spare
			B9	Spare
S	SN	Named cargo containers	S0	Livestock container
			S1	Automobile container
			S2	Living fish container
			S3	Spare
			S4	Spare
			S5	Spare
			S6	Spare
			S7	Spare
			S8	Spare
			S9	Spare
R	RE	Thermal containers - refrigerated - refrigerated and heated - self powered refrigerated/heated	R0	Mechanically refrigerated
	RT		R1	Mechanically refrigerated and heated
	RS		R2	Mechanically refrigerated
			R3	Mechanically refrigerated and heated
			R4	Spare
			R5	Spare
			R6	Spare
			R7	Spare
			R8	Spare
			R9	Spare
H	HR	Thermal containers - refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment	H0	Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located externally, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.4 W/(m2.K)
			H1	Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located internally
			H2	Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located externally, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.7 W/(m2.K)
			H3	Spare
			H4	Spare
	HI		H5	Insulated, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.4 W/(m2.K)
			H6	Insulated, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.7 W/(m2.K)
			H7	Spare
			H8	Spare
			H9	Spare
U	UT	Open-top containers	U0	Opening(s) at one or both end(s)
			U1	Opening(s) at one or both end(s) plus removable roof in end frame
			U2	Opening(s) at one of both end(s) plus opening(s) on one or both sides
			U3	Opening(s) at one or both end(s) plus opening(s) on one or both sides plus removable top members
			U4	Opening(s) at one or both end(s) plus opening(s) on one side plus full openings on the other side
			U5	Full, solid side and end walls (no doors)
			U6	Spare
			U7	Spare
			U8	Spare
			U9	Spare
P	PL	Platform (container) - platform based on containers with incomplete superstructure - fixed - folding - platform based containers with complete superstructure	P0	Platform
	PF		P1	Platform with two complete, fixed end walls
			P2	Platform with fixed posts, either free-standing or with removable top members
	PC		P3	Platform with folding complete end walls
			P4	Platform with folding posts, either free-standing or with removable top members
	PS		P5	Platform, open at the top and ends (skeletal)
			P6	Spare
			P7	Spare
			P8	Spare
			P9	Spare
T	TN	Tank container for non-dangerous liquids	T0	Minimum pressure 45 kPa
			T1	Minimum pressure 150 kPa
			T2	Minimum pressure 265 kPa
	TD	Tank container for dangerous liquids	T3	Minimum pressure 150 kPa
			T4	Minimum pressure 265 kPa
			T5	Minimum pressure 400 kPa
			T6	Minimum pressure 600 kPa
	TG	Tank container for gases	T7	Minimum pressure 910 kPa
			T8	Minimum pressure 2 200 kPa
			T9	Minimum pressure (yet to be assigned)
A	AS	Air/surface containers	A0

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Image Credit: SMDG