“I have not imported from China yet. I want to start with a container. How many pieces of mirrored furniture can a container hold?” After reading this article, you will find the answer.
How many types of containers are there?
To solve this problem, first you need to know how many types of containers are there. There are 4 standard containers in common use internationally. We usually use 3 of them:
20ft container (also called 20GP container)
Length: 19ft 10.5in (6.058m), Width: 8ft (2.438m), Height: 8ft 6in (2.591m).
40ft container (also called 40GP container)
Length: 40ft (12.192m), Width: 8ft (2.438m), Height: 8ft 6in (2.591m). Width and height are the same as 20ft container, but longer.
40HQ container (also called 40HC container)
Length: 40ft (12.192m), Width: 8ft (2.438m), Height: 9ft 6in (2.896m). Length and width are the same as 40ft container, but higher.
How big is the internal volume of the 3 containers?
The theoretical space is not accurate due to the fact that sometimes the space at the top of the container cannot be fully utilized, as well as the gaps between cargo and cargo when stacking. So there are theoretical volume and actual volume.
20ft container
Theoretical volume: 33.1m3 (cubic meters, CBM for short)
Actual volume: 24-27m3
40ft container
Theoretical volume: 67.5m3
Actual volume: 54-56m3
40HQ container
Theoretical volume: 75.3m3
Actual volume: 62-67m3
Specific cases of loading containers
Let’s see below specific cases. You will have a more intuitive understanding of the loading capacity of the container.
Only load one small model in the containers
| No. | Picture | Product | Quantity per 20ft container | Quantity per 40ft container | Quantity per 40HQ container |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Wall Mirror Size (inch): 35.4x35.4 Size (cm): 90x90 | 272 pcs | 560 pcs | 626 pcs |
Only load one large model in the containers
| No. | Picture | Product | Quantity per 20ft container | Quantity per 40ft container | Quantity per 40HQ container |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Console Table Size (inch): 47.2x13.8x30.7 Size (cm): 120x35x78 | 52 pcs | 112 pcs | 135 pcs |
Load different large models in the containers
| No. | Picture | Product | Quantity in 20ft container | Quantity in 40ft container | Quantity in 40HQ container |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Fireplace Size (inch): 51x12x39 Size (cm): 129.5x30.5x99 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 2 |  | Wine Cabinet Size (inch): 59x16x36 Size (cm): 150x40x91 | 16 pcs | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 3 |  | Coffee Table Size (inch): 35.4x35.4x18 Size (cm): 90x90x46 | 0 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 4 | | Console Table Size (inch): 47.2x13.8x30.7 Size (cm): 120x35x78 | 0 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 5 |  | TV Stand Size (inch): 63x16x32 Size (cm): 160x40x81 | 0 | 1 pc | 20 pcs |
| 6 |  | Storage Bench Size (inch): 38x13x17 Size (cm): 96.5x33x43.2 | 0 | 0 | 4 pcs |
| Total: | 36 pcs | 81 pcs | 104 pcs |
Mix large models and small models in the containers
| No. | Picture | Product | Quantity in 20ft container | Quantity in 40ft container | Quantity in 40HQ container |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Fireplace Size (inch): 51x12x39 Size (cm): 129.5x30.5x99 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 2 | | Wine Cabinet Size (inch): 59x16x36 Size (cm): 150x40x91 | 0 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 3 | | Coffee Table Size (inch): 35.4x35.4x18 Size (cm): 90x90x46 | 0 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 4 | | Console Table Size (inch): 47.2x13.8x30.7 Size (cm): 120x35x78 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 5 | | Wall Mirror Size (inch): 35.4x35.4 Size (cm): 90x90 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 6 |  | Wall Mirror Size (inch): 31.5x47.2 Size (cm): 80x120 | 20 pcs | 20 pcs | 20 pcs |
| 7 |  | Dressing Mirror Size (inch): 24x64 Size (cm): 61x162.6 | 0 | 0 | 20 pcs |
| 8 |  | Mirror with Bulbs Size (inch): 32x29 Size (cm): 81x73.7 | 0 | 0 | 20 pcs |
| 9 |  | Wings with Light Size (inch): 35.4x47.2 Size (cm): 90x120 | 0 | 0 | 20 pcs |
| 10 |  | Wall Art LOVE Size (inch): 47.2x19.7 Size (cm): 120x50 | 41 pcs | 17 pcs | 102 pcs |
| Total: | 121 pcs | 137 pcs | 282 pcs |
Summary
It is hard to have a uniform answer to the question of how many pieces of mirrored furniture can fit in a container. It depends on the model you choose. Specific calculations are needed for specific cases.
Tips
The below tips will help you when you are choosing which models to order.
Tip 1
When you choose the model, the less model you choose and the smaller the model is, the more pieces can be loaded, which will make fuller use of the container space and the shipping cost per piece will be lower.
Tip 2
Try to mix large cargo with small cargo. Because if all cargos are large, there will be a lot of space in the container that can not be used, which causes a low actual loading volume. That’s a waste of space. And this wasted space can easily lead to breakage of cargos by colliding with each other during shipping. (Mirrored furniture is fragile and requires extra care.)
Tip 3
If the packaging of goods can be designed as KD packaging, try to use KD packaging (such as some coffee tables), which can greatly save space and reduce shipping cost.
Tip 4
Try to use a 40HQ container instead of a 40ft container. Because the shipping cost is the same, which 40HQ container has more 10m3 than 40ft container.
