Useful articlesReading time ~5 minPublished 23.10.2026

How much does a shipping container weigh and how delivery works

An empty 20 ft container weighs about 2.2 tonnes, a 40 ft High Cube about 3.9 tonnes. That decides the truck you need and the space you have to prepare.

In short

A 20 ft container weighs about 2,200 kg and arrives on a truck with a crane.
A 40 ft container weighs about 3,700–3,900 kg and needs a longer truck and more space.
Before delivery, check the access road, overhead wires and the base.
The delivery price depends on distance and size: send us the address and we’ll quote it.

Container weights

Type	Tare weight	Max. gross weight	Volume
20 ft standard (20DC)	~2,200 kg	30,480 kg	~33 m³
40 ft standard (40DC)	~3,700 kg	30,480 kg	~67 m³
40 ft High Cube (40HC)	~3,900 kg	30,480 kg	~76 m³
45 ft High Cube Pallet Wide	~4,800 kg	~32,500 kg	~89 m³

The exact tare weight is printed on the container doors and on the CSC plate. It varies by a few hundred kilograms between manufacturers, and for 45 ft containers so does the maximum gross weight. All dimensions: shipping container sizes.

How delivery works

We agree on the address and spot. Send us the address and, if you can, a photo of where the container will stand.
We quote the price and time. The price depends on the distance and the container size.
The crane truck arrives. A truck with a crane lifts the container and sets it down where you want it.
We place it. The container goes on a prepared base or a level, firm surface. You choose which way the doors face.

How to prepare the site

Access road. A heavy truck needs a firm road and room to turn or reverse out. After rain, a soft field or lawn can stop it.
Height and wires. There must be no power lines or branches above the spot or the crane’s working area.
Distance from the truck. The crane can only reach a limited distance from the truck. If the spot is behind a fence or a house, send a photo and we’ll tell you whether it works.
Base. The container must sit level, or the doors may start to stick. The simplest solution: 4–6 concrete blocks under the corners. More: shipping container foundation.
A 40 ft container needs a level area at least 12.2 m long (the container’s length) plus room for the truck to manoeuvre.

Common mistakes on delivery day

The spot isn’t ready, so the container is put down somewhere else “for now”.
Nobody thought about which way the doors should face.
The access turns out too narrow or too soft.
The container sits on bare ground without a base, and a year later the doors start to jam.

Delivery from Kontiks.lv

We deliver containers all over Latvia. We quote the delivery price for your address: call +371 26764096 or write to us. What to know before delivery: container delivery.