In 1995, the International Standardization Organization , ISO, reached an agreement on the marking codes that would depict length, height and type of container. This code is located on the back of every container, under the container number.

Container Size Designation

  • 2: 20 ft

    4: 40 ft

    L: 45 ft

    M: 48 ft

  • 2: 8' 6"

    5: 9' 6"

Type Designation
& Main Characteristics

  • G0: Opening(s) at one end or both ends

    G1: Passive vents at upper part of cargo space

    G2: Opening(s) at one or both ends plus “full” opening(s) on one or both sides

    G3: Opening(s) at one or both ends plus “partial” opening(s) on one or both sides

    G9: Bulk capabilities

  • V0: Nonmechanical system, vents at lower and upper parts of cargo space

    V2: Mechanical ventilation system, located internally

    V4: Mechanical ventilation system, located externally

  • B0: Nonpresurized, box type, closed

    B1: Nonpresurized, box type, airtight

    B3: Pressurized, horizontal discharge, test pressure 150kPa1

    B4: Pressurized, horizontal discharge, test pressure 265kPa

    B5: Pressurized, tipping discharge, test pressure 150 kPa

    B6: Pressurized, tipping discharge, test pressure 265kPa

    B7: with open top container with full length and width bottom discharge

    B8: Front discharge/full width

    B9: Side discharge

  • S0: Livestock carrier

    S1: Automobile carrier

    S2: Live fish carrier

  • R0: Refrigerated, mechanically refrigerated

    R1: Refrigerated and heated, mechanically refrigerated and heated

    R2: Self-powered refrigerated/heated, mechanically refrigerated

    R3: Mechanically refrigerated and heated

    R5: Integrated mechanically refrigerated and heated

    R7: Heated

    R8: Heated, self-powered

  • H0: Refrigerated and/or heated, with removable equipment located externally; heat transfer coefficient K=0,4W/(m2-K)

    H1: Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located internally

    H2: Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located externally; heat transfer coefficient K =0,7W/(m2-K)

    H5: Insulated; heat transfer coefficient K= 0,4W/(m2-K)

    H6: Insulated; heat transfer coefficient K = 0.7 W/(m2-K)

    H8: Eutectic, remote mechanical refrigeration

  • U0 :Opening(s) at one or both ends

    U1: Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus removable top member(s) in end frame(s)

    U2: Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus opening(s) on one or both sides

    U3: Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus opening(s) on one or both sides plus removable top member(s) in end frame(s)

    U4: Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus partial opening on one side and full opening on the other side

    U6: Open topped container with removable hard top

    U9: Coil carrier

  • P0: Platform (container)

    P1: Platform-based containers within complete superstructure; fixed, two complete and fixed ends

    P2: Platform-based containers within complete superstructure; fixed posts, either free-standing or with removable top member

    P3: Platform-based containers within complete superstructure; folding (collapsible), folding complete end structure

    P4: Platform-based containers within complete superstructure; folding (collapsible), Folding posts, either free-standing or with removable top member

    P5: Platform-based containers with complete superstructure; open top, open ends (skeletal)

    P6: Platform based container for named cargo: ship’s gear carrier

    P7: Platform based container for named cargo: car carrier

    P8: Platform based container for named cargo: timber/pipe carrier

    P9: Platform based container for named cargo: pipe carrier

  • W0: container folding on their base structure

    W1: container folding on their side structure

  • K0: Liquid tank non-regulated goods

    K1: Liquid tank dangerous goods ≤ 2,65 barc pressure

    K2: Liquid tank dangerous goods >2,65 barc and ≤ 10 barc pressure

    K3: Liquid tank dangerous goods > 10 barc high pressure

    K4: Liquid tank non-regulated goods requiring power supply

    K5: Liquid tank for dangerous goods ≤ 10 barc requiring power supply

    K6: Liquid tank for dangerous goods > 10 barc pressure requiring power supply

    K7: Cryogenic Tank

    K8: Gas Tank

  • N0: Hopper type vertical discharge

    N1: Hopper Type rear discharge

    N3: Non-pressurized rear discharge

    N4: Non-pressurized side discharge

    N5: Non-pressurized tipping discharge

    N7: Pressurized rear discharge

    N8: Pressurized side discharge

    N9: Pressurized tipping discharge

20 ft Container

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: G0

    Characteristics: Opening(s) at one end or both ends

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: G1

    Characteristics: Dry van; Passive vents at upper part of cargo space

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: V1

    Characteristics: Mechanical ventilation system, located internally

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: R0

    Characteristics: Refrigerated, mechanically refrigerated

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: R1

    Characteristics: Refrigerated and heated, mechanically refrigerated and heated

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: U0

    Characteristics: Opening(s) at one or both ends

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: U1

    Characteristics: Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus removable top member(s) in end frame(s)

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    H: 8’ 6” | 2.59 m

    Group: G2

    Characteristics: Opening(s) at one or both ends plus “full” opening(s) on one or both sides

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    Group: P0

    Characteristics: Platform (container)

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    Group - P1

    Characteristics - Fixed, two complete and fixed ends

  • L: 20’ | 6.06 m

    W: 8’ | 2.44 m

    Group - P3

    Characteristics - Folding (collapsible), folding complete end structure

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - T0

    Characteristics - For non dangerous liquids, minimum pressure 45kPa

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - T5

    Characteristics - For dangerous liquids, minimum pressure 40kPa

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - B0

    Characteristics - Non-pressurized, box type, closed

40 ft Standard Container

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - G0

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one end or both ends

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - G1

    Characteristics - Dry van; Passive vents at upper part of cargo space

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - V1

    Characteristics - Mechanical ventilation system, located internally

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - R2

    Characteristics - Self-powered refrigerated/heated, mechanically refrigerated

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - R1

    Characteristics - Refrigerated and heated, mechanically refrigerated and heated

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - U0

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - U1

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus removable top member(s) in end frame(s)

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - G2

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends plus “full” opening(s) on one or both sides

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - P0

    Characteristics - Platform (container)

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - P1

    Characteristics - Fixed, two complete and fixed ends

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - P3

    Characteristics - Folding (collapsible), folding complete end structure

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - T0

    Characteristics - For non dangerous liquids, minimum pressure 45kPa

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 8.6

    Group - B0

    Characteristics - Non-pressurized, box type, closed

40 ft High Cube Container

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - G0

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one end or both ends

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - G1

    Characteristics - Dry van; Passive vents at upper part of cargo space

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - R0

    Characteristics - Refrigerated, mechanically refrigerated

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - R1

    Characteristics - Refrigerated and heated, mechanically refrigerated and heated

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - U0

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - G2

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends plus “full” opening(s) on one or both sides

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - P0

    Characteristics - Platform (container)

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - P3

    Characteristics - Folding (collapsible), folding complete end structure

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Tank

  • Length (ft) - 40

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Dry Bulk, Closed

Specialty

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) -9

    Group - R1

    Characteristics - Refrigerated and heated, mechanically refrigerated and heated

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - G0

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one end or both ends

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - G1

    Characteristics - Passive vents at upper part of cargo space

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - R0

    Characteristics - Refrigerated, mechanically refrigerated

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - U0

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - G2

    Characteristics - Opening(s) at one or both ends plus “full” opening(s) on one or both sides

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - P0

    Characteristics - Platform (container)

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - P3

    Characteristics - Folding (collapsible), folding complete end structure

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - T0

    Characteristics - For non dangerous liquids, minimum pressure 45kPa

  • Length (ft) - 20

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Group - B0

    Characteristics - Non-pressurized, box type, closed

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Dry Van

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Refrigerated, mechanically refrigerated

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Open Top

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Dry Van

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Flat

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Flat, Collapsible

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Tank

  • Length (ft) - 45

    Height (ft) - 9.6

    Characteristics - Dry Bulk, Closed