Dry Container
A Dry Container (also called a general-purpose or standard container) is the ordinary closed steel shipping box — the most common container type by far. It carries the vast majority of the world's containerised general cargo: palletised goods, cartons, bagged and boxed products and anything that does not need refrigeration, special loading or over-height space.
Dry containers come mainly in 20ft and 40ft lengths, at the standard 8ft 6in height. They are loaded through rear doors, weather-tight, and by far the cheapest and most available equipment — which is why any cargo that fits a standard box is shipped in one. Where cargo needs cooling, over-height space or top/side loading, a specialised container type is used instead.
The dry container is the workhorse of global trade — cheap, plentiful and simple. Understanding its dimensions and limits (what fits, what weighs too much, what needs a different box) is the starting point of container planning, because everything else is a more expensive exception.
What sizes do dry containers come in?
Mainly 20ft and 40ft, at the standard 8ft 6in height (a taller 40ft version is the high-cube).
When would I not use a dry container?
When cargo needs refrigeration (reefer), extra height (high-cube), top or side loading (open-top / flat-rack), or is bulk liquid (tank).