“How much timber fits in a 40ft container?” sounds like a simple question with a single number for an answer. In practice, the answer can be anywhere from about 20 to 50 cubic metres, and the difference has a big effect on your freight cost per m³. The reason is simple: some timbers fill a container by volume, others hit the weight limit long before the container looks full.
In this guide we explain container dimensions, weight limits, how density changes the answer, typical loads for common African species, and how to plan your order to get the most from every container. We load containers of African hardwood every week at Global Timber Trade Hub.
In short
- A standard 40ft container has about 67 m³ of internal space, but timber never fills it completely.
- Light and medium-density sawn timber usually loads at about 40–50 m³ per 40ft.
- Heavy hardwoods like Azobe or Tali hit the weight limit at roughly 22–28 m³.
- A 20ft container usually takes about 18–25 m³, also limited by weight for dense species.
- Road weight limits in your country may reduce the payload further.
- Mixed containers can combine light and heavy species to use both space and weight.
Container dimensions
| Container | Internal size (approx.) | Internal volume (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 33 m³ |
| 40ft standard | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 67 m³ |
| 40ft high cube | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | about 76 m³ |
Exact sizes vary slightly by manufacturer. The door opening is also a little smaller than the internal size, which limits bundle dimensions.
Why timber never fills the full volume
Timber is loaded in bundles of boards, beams or planks. Between bundles and between boards there are gaps: spacers, stickers, uneven lengths and room for forklift handling. Bundles must also fit through the doors and be secured. In practice, a well-loaded container of sawn timber uses about 60–75% of its internal volume. That is why a 67 m³ container typically carries 40–50 m³ of light or medium timber, not 67.
The weight limit: the real constraint for hardwood
Each container has a maximum gross weight, which includes the container itself. For a 40ft container, the maximum payload is often in the region of 26–28 tonnes, depending on the container type. But road, rail and port rules in many countries limit what can actually be moved, and practical payloads are often lower. Always check with your freight forwarder what weight can be delivered to your site.
Divide the payload by the density of the wood, and you get the maximum volume by weight. For dense hardwoods, that number is much smaller than the volume limit.
How density changes the answer
| Species | Approx. density (kg/m³) | Typical load per 40ft (m³) | Limited by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayous (obeche) | 380–450 | about 45–50 | Volume |
| Okoume | 430–500 | about 45–50 | Volume |
| Sapele (kiln dried) | 640–700 | about 38–45 | Volume or weight |
| Iroko | 650–700 | about 38–42 | Weight |
| Padouk | 750–850 | about 30–35 | Weight |
| Tali / Okan | 900–1,000 | about 25–28 | Weight |
| Azobe (fresh or air dried) | 1,050–1,200 | about 22–25 | Weight |
Densities here are approximate shipping densities, which are higher for fresh-sawn or air-dried timber than for kiln-dried wood. Actual loads depend on dimensions, moisture content and the weight limits on your route.
20ft vs 40ft: which is better?
A 20ft container usually takes about 18–25 m³ of sawn timber. For light species, a 40ft container carries roughly twice as much for much less than twice the freight, so it is usually more economical. For very heavy species, a 20ft container may reach its weight limit with around 17–20 m³, and some buyers prefer 20ft containers for heavy timber because they are easier to handle on local roads. Long timber over about 5.8 m needs a 40ft container.
What about high cube containers?
High cube containers are 30 cm taller. For light species such as ayous or okoume, that extra height can add several cubic metres per load. For heavy species, it makes no difference, because the weight limit is reached first.
Length limits
The internal length of a 40ft container is about 12 m, and bundles must be loaded through the doors. In practice, maximum timber length is around 11.8 m. Very long beams or logs need open-top containers, flat racks or breakbulk shipping.
Logs vs sawn timber
Round logs load less efficiently than sawn timber because of the gaps between them, and they are heavy when fresh. Many Central African countries restrict or ban log exports to encourage local processing, so most trade today is in sawn timber, veneer and plywood. Where logs are allowed, they are often shipped breakbulk.
Mixed containers: using space and weight
One of the smartest ways to reduce freight cost is to mix heavy and light species in the same container. For example, a load of Azobe beams might reach the weight limit with spare space left over. Adding light Ayous or Okoume boards on top uses that space without exceeding the weight limit. Mixed containers also let you test several species in one shipment. See our guide on how to import timber from Africa.
Freight cost per cubic metre
Because sea freight is charged per container, the freight cost per m³ depends on how much you load. A 40ft container of ayous at 48 m³ has a much lower freight cost per m³ than a 40ft container of azobe at 23 m³. Always compare landed cost per m³, not just the FOB price. Our African hardwood prices guide explains how freight affects your total.
Loading and securing timber
- bundles are strapped and protected at the edges;
- dunnage and spacers prevent movement and allow forklift access;
- weight is spread evenly along the container floor;
- bundles are blocked and lashed to prevent shifting;
- desiccants or ventilation may be used to reduce condensation.
We photograph each container during loading and send you the photos with the packing list.
The packing list: your volume record
Your packing list should show, for each bundle, the species, grade, dimensions, number of pieces and volume in m³, plus total volume and gross weight. Check it against the bill of lading and invoice. Our guide on importing timber explains what a good packing list looks like.
A worked example
Say you want to import kiln-dried sapele boards. Sapele at around 12% moisture content weighs roughly 650–700 kg/m³. If your route allows a payload of about 26 tonnes, the weight limit would allow close to 38–40 m³. Volume-wise, a 40ft container can usually take around 45 m³ of boards of that size. So the weight limit is reached first, and you should plan on about 38–40 m³ per container. Now imagine adding 5 m³ of light ayous to the same order: at around 400 kg/m³, it adds about 2 tonnes. You would reduce the sapele slightly and fill the remaining space with ayous, getting more total volume for the same freight.
Moisture content changes the weight
Water is heavy. A cubic metre of fresh-sawn hardwood can weigh 20–40% more than the same wood after kiln drying. That is why fresh-sawn and air-dried timber loads fewer cubic metres per container than kiln-dried stock of the same species. If you are comparing quotes for fresh-sawn and kiln-dried timber, remember to compare the freight cost per m³ as well as the timber price. Our guide to kiln dried vs air dried lumber explains moisture in detail.
Planning for project volumes
For a project that needs, for example, 150 m³ of mixed decking and joists, the number of containers depends on the species mix. In light and medium species, that might be three or four 40ft containers. In very dense species, it could be six or seven. Tell us the total volume and the species you have in mind, and we will propose the most economical combination of containers and loads, including whether some items should travel in 20ft units for easier delivery on site.
Quick estimates for planning
- Light species (ayous, okoume, frake): plan 45–50 m³ per 40ft.
- Medium species (sapele, sipo, iroko, mahogany): plan 38–45 m³ per 40ft.
- Dense species (padouk, doussie, wenge): plan 28–35 m³ per 40ft.
- Very dense species (azobe, okan, tali): plan 22–28 m³ per 40ft.
We confirm exact loads in every quote.
Typical full-container loads
Some typical loads we quote: a 40ft container of kiln-dried Ayous for a sauna producer, close to 50 m³; a 40ft container of Sapele FAS boards for a furniture factory, around 38–40 m³; a 40ft container of Tali decking for a landscape contractor, around 25–28 m³; and a 20ft container of Azobe beams for a marine contractor, around 17–20 m³. Each quote we send states the expected load, so you can calculate your landed cost before you order.
Common mistakes
- Calculating by volume only: dense timbers are limited by weight.
- Ignoring local road limits: your trucking may limit the payload.
- Ordering lengths over 11.8 m in a standard container: they will not fit.
- Comparing FOB prices only: compare landed cost per m³.
Sources
- Intermodal container on Wikipedia
- CIRAD Tropix for species density data.
Related guides
- How to import timber from Africa
- African hardwood prices per m³
- Kiln dried vs air dried lumber
- Shipping and delivery policy
- Our export process
Frequently asked questions about how much timber fits in a 40ft container
How many cubic metres of timber fit in a 40ft container?
Usually about 40–50 m³ for light and medium species, and about 22–28 m³ for very dense hardwoods limited by weight.
How much timber fits in a 20ft container?
Usually about 18–25 m³, depending on species and weight limits.
What is the weight limit for a 40ft container?
Payload is often around 26–28 tonnes, but road and port rules may reduce what can be delivered. Check with your forwarder.
Can I mix species in one container?
Yes. Mixing heavy and light species is a smart way to use both weight and space.
Get a quote for a full container
Send your species, sizes and destination through our quote form. We will calculate the optimal load and reply with price per m³ and per container.