Dimensions and weight
payload
Payload is the weight of cargo a container can carry. It equals the maximum gross weight minus the container's own empty (tare) weight. Carrier specs list payload next to tare weight for each container size and type, so buyers can compare them side by side.
Why it matters
Payload limits what you can put in the box. A carrier lists about 28,330 kg (62,460 lb) of payload for a dry 20-foot container with a 30,480 kg rating. Real use is lower. Floor loading, forklift weight, local road limits and the delivery truck all cap how much you should move. The listed payload is for the container, not for the trailer or truck that carries it. A common mistake is to fill a container to its payload and then find the truck cannot haul it, or that a site cannot support it. Weigh heavy loads, and tell the customer the limit for delivered or moved loads before they pack.
Read: Container delivery equipment: Tilt-bed, roll-off, side-loader, and crane trucks
Definition source: one-line.com
Related terms
tare weight
Tare weight is the weight of an empty container or vehicle. Subtract it from the gross weight to find the weight of the goods inside. On a shipping container, it is not set by the ISO standards. It depends on how the container was built.
maximum gross weight
Maximum gross weight is the most a container may weigh when loaded, including its own tare weight and the cargo. In ISO 668, ratings include the gross mass of the container. Carrier listings often show 30,480 kg for 20-foot and 40-foot dry containers.
GVWR
GVWR is gross vehicle weight rating. It is the maximum loaded weight of a single motor vehicle, as set by the manufacturer. It includes the vehicle, fuel, driver, cargo and equipment. It is printed on the vehicle's certification label and set by the maker.
GCWR
GCWR is gross combination weight rating. It is the greater of the manufacturer's value for the power unit or the sum of the GVWRs of the power unit and towed units. It is used for tractor-trailers and trucks that tow.
marine plywood floor
A marine plywood floor is the wood floor in a shipping container, made of thick laminated plywood fixed to steel cross members. Sea Box describes a 1 1/8 inch thick marine plywood floor. It carries the cargo load, including forklift traffic.
tilt-bed truck
A tilt-bed truck has a bed that tilts down toward the ground. A winch pulls a container onto or off the bed. It places a 20 ft or 40 ft container on the ground without a crane or forklift. It is the most common delivery truck in portable storage.
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