When you move between continents, the container is the unit you pay for. Choosing the right size — or deciding not to have your own at all — is the first decision that shapes your budget.
Dimensions and volume
These are typical internal dimensions for standard dry containers. They vary slightly between manufacturers.
| 20ft standard | 40ft standard | 40ft high cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | about 5.9 m | about 12.0 m | about 12.0 m |
| Internal width | about 2.35 m | about 2.35 m | about 2.35 m |
| Internal height | about 2.39 m | about 2.39 m | about 2.69 m |
| Internal volume | about 33 m³ | about 67 m³ | about 76 m³ |
| Usable for household goods | about 25 to 30 m³ | about 55 to 60 m³ | about 65 to 70 m³ |
The door opening is slightly smaller than the internal width and height, which matters for very tall wardrobes or large sofas.
Why you never use the full volume
Furniture is not a set of perfect cubes. Legs, curved backs and fragile items that cannot carry weight leave gaps, and everything has to be blocked and braced so nothing moves at sea. Professional loading reduces wasted space, but you should still plan for 10 to 20% less than the theoretical volume.
What fits in each
As a rough guide:
| Home | Typical volume | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or a few pieces | under 15 m³ | Shared container (LCL) |
| 1-bedroom flat | 15 to 25 m³ | 20ft, or LCL for the smaller end |
| 2-bedroom home | 25 to 40 m³ | 20ft if under about 28 m³, otherwise 40ft |
| 3-bedroom home | 40 to 60 m³ | 40ft |
| 4-bedroom house or larger | 60 m³ and more | 40ft high cube, or more than one container |
Your real volume depends far more on how much furniture you own than on the number of rooms. A minimalist three-bedroom home can fit in a 20-foot container; a two-bedroom flat full of books and antiques may need a 40-foot. Our volume guide helps you get your real number.
20ft, 40ft or shared: how to decide
Choose a shared container (LCL) if your volume is small, your budget is tight and your timeline is flexible. You pay for your volume only, but consolidation adds weeks.
Choose a 20-foot container for a typical one- to two-bedroom home. It is easier to place in narrow streets and is the most common size for household moves.
Choose a 40-foot container for larger homes, or a two-bedroom home plus a car. Per cubic metre, it is usually the cheapest option on a given route.
Choose a 40-foot high cube when you have tall furniture, or simply need the extra volume.
Shipping a car in your container
A car can travel in your container alongside your furniture. It must be clean (several countries inspect for soil and plant matter), with little fuel and the battery secured according to the shipping line's rules, and it must be declared separately on customs documents. In a 20-foot container, a car leaves little room for anything else; in a 40-foot, there is usually space for the contents of a home too.
Import rules and registration taxes for cars vary a lot between countries — check them before you decide to ship.
Loading at your door or at a warehouse
When the street allows it, the container is delivered to your home, loaded by the crew, sealed and taken to the port. When access is difficult — narrow streets, no parking, a city centre — your belongings are collected with a smaller vehicle and loaded at a warehouse instead. Tell us about your access at quote stage so we plan the right option.
How long does it take?
Door to door, an intercontinental sea move usually takes 6 to 14 weeks, depending on the route, the sailing schedule, customs clearance and the season. A shared container generally takes longer than a full one because of consolidation at both ends.
Frequently asked questions
More guides
- How to choose the best international moving companyWhat separates the best international movers from the rest: quotes, customs, insurance, red flags and the questions to ask before you book.
- Cross-border moving in Europe: how a European move worksHow cross-border moves work in Europe: transport options, transit times, when customs applies and how to choose a European moving company.
- Transfer of Residence relief explained: moving your belongings duty-free to Europe and the UKHow to bring your household goods into the EU, the UK, Switzerland or Norway without paying import duty or VAT: conditions, forms and country-by-country rules.