TEU/FEU and container size cheat-sheet
Illustration: original graphic by AYC International Logistics (CC0 1.0, free to reuse).
Quotes often show “TEU” or “40HQ” — what do they mean? AYC explains at once.
TEU / FEU are counting units
- TEU = Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, 1 unit = a 20ft box
- FEU = Forty-foot Equivalent Unit, 1×40ft = 2 TEU
Carriers size capacity, ports size throughput, both in TEU (e.g., global ports handled about 920.3 million TEU in 2024).
Common container sizes (ISO 668 Series 1)
| Type | Inner length | Volume | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.9 m | 33 CBM | 28 t |
| 40GP | 12.0 m | 67 CBM | 26 t |
| 40HQ | 12.0 m | 76 CBM | 26 t |
| 45HQ | 13.5 m | 86 CBM | 27 t |
HQ (High Cube) is ~30 cm taller than GP — more room for bulky cargo.
Why it matters to you
- LCL is billed by CBM; remember 1 CBM ≈ 363 kg equivalent (bulky = by volume)
- FCL: furniture/light cargo → 40HQ; heavy cargo → watch payload limit
Unsure which box? Contact AYC to match.
Sources / References
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 668: Series 1 freight containers — classification, dimensions and ratings.
- Wikipedia. “Twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU)”: TEU/FEU definitions and common box sizes. Retrieved 2026-09-14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-foot_equivalent_unit
- UNCTAD. Global port container throughput about 920.3 million TEU in 2024. Retrieved 2026-09-14. https://unctadstat.unctad.org/fr/insights/theme/109