A standard 20-foot shipping container fits 10 pallets in a single layer or 20 pallets when double-stacked. That assumes standard 48″ x 40″ pallets (also called GMA pallets), which are the most common size in North America. The actual number you can load depends on your pallet dimensions, cargo height, cargo weight, and whether you’re using a standard dry container or a refrigerated one.
Single-Layer Layout: 10 Pallets
The inside of a standard 20-foot container measures roughly 5,900 mm long (about 19 feet 4 inches), 2,352 mm wide (about 7 feet 8 inches), and 2,395 mm tall (about 7 feet 10 inches). With standard 48″ x 40″ pallets, you can arrange two rows of five pallets placed lengthwise, giving you 10 pallets on the floor. The pallets fit snugly across the width, with only a few inches of clearance on each side.
If you’re using Euro pallets (1200 mm x 800 mm, or roughly 47″ x 31″), the layout changes. You can typically fit 11 Euro pallets in a 20-foot container by alternating their orientation, though the exact count depends on how tightly your cargo allows them to be placed.
Double-Stacking: Up to 20 Pallets
With nearly 8 feet of internal height, a 20-foot container has enough vertical space to stack two layers of pallets, as long as each palletized load stays at or below about 43 inches tall. That leaves enough clearance at the top for loading and unloading with a forklift. Double-stacking brings the total to 20 standard pallets.
Not every shipment can be double-stacked. The bottom pallets need to support the full weight of whatever sits on top without crushing or shifting. Fragile goods generally should not be stacked unless you’re using load protectors, slip sheets, or pallet racking inside the container. Heavy, sturdy products like canned goods or boxed hardware stack well. Lightweight but crushable items like electronics or glass do not.
Weight Limits Matter as Much as Space
A 20-foot steel container has a maximum payload of about 28,300 kg (roughly 62,390 lbs), according to Maersk. But “maximum payload” is the theoretical ceiling. In practice, road weight regulations in many countries will limit your actual load well before you hit the container’s structural capacity. Trucking weight limits often cap a loaded 20-foot container at around 17,000 to 20,000 kg of cargo, depending on the chassis and local rules.
This means you could have room for 20 pallets by volume but only be allowed to load 10 or 12 because of weight. Dense cargo like beverages, canned food, or building materials hits the weight limit fast. Always check the per-pallet weight of your goods and multiply by your planned count before assuming you can fill the container.
Refrigerated Containers Hold Fewer Pallets
A 20-foot reefer (refrigerated container) has thicker, insulated walls and an integrated cooling unit at one end, which eats into the usable interior space. The internal length shrinks by roughly two feet compared to a dry container, and the width narrows slightly as well. You’ll typically fit 8 to 9 standard pallets in a single layer rather than 10.
Reefer containers also require airflow around the cargo to maintain temperature. Packing pallets too tightly against the walls or blocking the air vents at the floor and ceiling can create hot spots that spoil perishable goods. The payload capacity drops too, coming in around 27,770 kg (about 61,220 lbs) for a 20-foot reefer.
How to Maximize Your Pallet Count
The biggest factor in fitting more pallets is keeping each palletized load under 43 inches tall so you can double-stack. If your cargo is 50 inches tall per pallet, you’re stuck with a single layer and 10 pallets. Shaving a few inches off each pallet’s height, by repacking cartons or using a lower-profile pallet, can double your container utilization.
Weight distribution also affects how many pallets you can safely load. Place the heaviest pallets on the bottom layer and toward the center of the container’s length. Spread weight evenly across the floor rather than clustering it on one side. Uneven loading creates an imbalanced container that’s dangerous during ocean transit and may be rejected at the port.
If your pallets don’t fill the container perfectly, use dunnage (airbags, foam blocks, or bracing) to fill gaps and prevent shifting. Even a few inches of movement during a rough sea voyage can topple stacked pallets and damage your shipment.
Quick Reference by Pallet Type
- Standard GMA (48″ x 40″): 10 single-stacked, 20 double-stacked
- Euro pallet (1200 x 800 mm): 11 single-stacked, up to 22 double-stacked
- Reefer container with GMA pallets: 8 to 9 single-stacked, 16 to 18 double-stacked
These counts assume pallets are loaded with cargo that stays within the pallet footprint. Overhanging boxes reduce the number of pallets you can fit side by side and create pinch points that make loading difficult.