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Frequently Asked Questions
Freight & Shipping
Operations & Services
Customs & Compliance
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General
Container capacity depends on both volume (cubic metres) and permissible cargo weight.
Container Type Approx. Internal Volume Typical Maximum Payload:
20ft Container ±33 CBM ±28 tons
40ft Container ±67 CBM ±26–28 tons
40ft High Cube ±76 CBM ±26–28 tons
Payload limits vary by shipping line, commodity, packaging configuration, and road transport restrictions.
As a general guide:
20ft containers are better suited to heavier cargo.
40ft and 40ft HC containers are typically used for lighter, higher-volume cargo.
40ft High Cube containers provide additional height, making them ideal for bulky cargo or palletised freight requiring extra cubic capacity.
SCT can assist in determining the most efficient and compliant container option for your shipment.
A NOR (Non-Operating Reefer) container is a refrigerated container used as standard dry cargo equipment with the refrigeration unit switched off. NOR containers can provide additional equipment availability and may offer cost advantages on certain trade lanes. Cargo suitability, moisture sensitivity, and shipping line restrictions must however be considered before use.
South African transport regulations apply legal weight limits to the total gross vehicle mass, including the container tare and cargo weight. While standard shipping containers may technically allow payloads of up to ±28 tons, cargo loaded for road transport in South Africa should generally not exceed approximately 27 tons to remain within legal road and axle load limitations, depending on the container type, truck configuration, and routing. Rail limits may differ by operator and route.
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