Definition
A container that is one foot taller than a standard box (9ft 6in), giving extra internal volume.
A High Cube container shares the standard 20ft or 40ft footprint but stands 9ft 6in tall instead of 8ft 6in, adding roughly an extra cubic metre of usable space. The 40ft HC is the most common box in many trades.
The extra height suits light, voluminous cargo that cubes out before it weighs out. Shippers must confirm road and rail height clearances at destination, as HC boxes can exceed local limits on certain chassis.
Related terms
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)
The standard capacity unit equal to one 20ft container, used to measure vessel and terminal volumes.
FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit)
A capacity unit equal to one 40ft container, i.e. two TEU.
FCL (Full Container Load)
An ocean shipment that fills (or is booked to fill) an entire container, used by a single consignee.
Open Top Container
A container with a removable tarpaulin roof, allowing top loading by crane for tall cargo.
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