Dimensions and weight
12 ft container
A 12 ft container is a steel or modular storage box about 12 feet long. It is not a common ISO ocean size. Portable storage companies, trailer builders and some regional rail systems use this length for compact storage and special uses.
Why it matters
The 12 ft length means different things in different places. In Japan, most domestic rail containers are 12 feet long. In U.S. portable storage, a company may sell or rent a 12 ft unit built to its own design. Because there is no single ISO size to rely on, two 12 ft units may differ in width, height and door type. Operators should check the builder's drawings before they buy for a fleet. Customers should compare inside dimensions, not just the nominal length. Check the door opening, since a short box may have a narrow door. Confirm what truck or lift will deliver it.
Read: Shipping container sizes and dimensions for rental fleets
Definition source: en.wikipedia.org
Related terms
10 ft container
A 10 ft container is a steel box about 10 feet long. It is a small size used for compact storage, tool storage and tight sites. Industry makes most 10 ft units 8 feet 6 inches tall, though the ISO standard lists this length at 8 feet tall.
16 ft container
A 16 ft container is a storage box about 16 feet long. It sits between the small and the 20 ft sizes. It is not one of the standard ISO container lengths, so builders and portable storage companies set the exact dimensions themselves.
portable storage container
A portable storage container is a container made for rent or sale as movable storage. NPSA describes portable storage containers as ISO shipping containers retired from international shipping and offered on the domestic market. In practice the term also covers other portable units.
internal dimensions
Internal dimensions are the length, width and height of the usable space inside a container. They are smaller than the outside size because of wall thickness, floor and roof structure. ISO 1496 is the authoritative document for internal container dimensions.
external dimensions
External dimensions are the length, width and height of a container measured on the outside. ISO 668 classifies series 1 freight containers by external dimensions. A standard 20-foot container is about 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches tall outside.
door opening
Door opening is the width and height of the clear opening when a container's doors are open. It is smaller than the container's inside width and height because of the door frame and header. Carrier specs list door opening separately from inside size.
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