You can expect an average shipping container weight to be about 6,167 pounds (2,797 kg) for a medium to a large size shipping container. This is about 2 to 3 times the weight of an average car. Generally, the longer the shipping container is, the heavier it will be. The type of shipping container will also impact its overall weight.
Common uses to know shipping container weight are if you need to:
- Move it with a truck, rail, or ship
- Lift it with a crane
- Load it into a ship
- Deliver it on a flatbed truck
- Tow it with a trailer
Shipping containers come in a range of different types and sizes from mini, small, medium, large, based on length.
6 Example Shipping Container Weights
The following chart features example empty shipping container weights of specific models ranging from the light to heavy. Other larger models can even weigh well over 10,000 pounds. Additional details can be found on the manufacturer’s websites. Here’s the shipping container weight chart:
| Shipping Container Model | Average Weight |
| 10 ft Standard | 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) |
| 10 ft High Cube | 3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| 20 ft Standard | 4,800 lbs (2,177 kg) |
| 20 ft High Cube | 5,100 lbs (2,313 kg) |
| 40 ft Standard | 10,400 lbs (4,717 kg) |
| 40 ft High Cube | 10,800 lbs (4,899 kg) |
Source: Container Discounts
Why Do Shipping Containers Weigh so Much?
The main reason shipping containers are so heavy is that it’s built from a solid steel shell. This is necessary in order to keep a shipping container protected from wear and tear when in use. The steel frame helps to maintain a shipping container’s structure and durability over many years of use.
Why Is It Important to Weigh a Shipping Container?
It’s very important to weigh a shipping container based on the regulations by SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). This states that all shipping containers loaded on a cargo ship must be weighed with a verified gross mass (VGM). This is to ensure safe and proper storage.
To Conclude
Shipping containers are quite heavy when it comes to industrial equipment. In some cases, they can weigh up to 3 to 4 times the weight of an average car. It takes a moderate size truck to haul them, depending on weight and what’s stored inside.
It’s important to know the correct weight when looking to tow and transport your shipping container. If you’re unsure and want specific weights, you can always check the manufacture’s website (for an empty container weight), go to a local cat scale, or weigh it at a port to get a more accurate weight with cargo included.