If you are moving overseas or returning home after having been out of the country for a while, chances are you may be interested in shipping a 20 ft container to transport your personal items and household goods.
Shipping containers are strong boxes made of steel that fit as the body of a truck trailer and become detached for easy loading on trains and cargo shipping vessels.
A 20 foot cargo shipping container holds between 850 and 1,050 cubic feet. The length of a 20 foot dry box container is approximately 19 feet and 4 inches, the height is 94 inches, and the width is 92.5 inches. The door opening of this type of cargo container is approximately 92 inches in width and 89.2 inches in height.
You may be wondering how much this size container can hold. This is generally enough room to fit the contents of a one or two bedroom household, depending on how much cargo you have. If you are shipping your car overseas, a 20 ft container can hold a vehicle and a couple of small household items.
One of the most important aspects of shipping a 20 ft container overseas involves carefully packing your goods, especially if you have breakable or fragile items. International shipping companies often provide this as a service to customers, or you may also choose to do it yourself.
Once your goods are safely packed and ready for transport, your cargo will be picked up and transported to your final destination. During this process it is helpful to have access to a freight tracking tool that provides you with helpful information about the location of your shipment.
Before shipping a 20 ft container overseas, it is helpful to get a free freight quote from a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) so that you have a good understanding of shipping costs. Make sure that the cargo shipping company that you choose is licensed by the United States Federal Maritime Commission. Your international cargo shipping company should also be bonded and insured.
Shipping a 20 ft container overseas requires a good understanding of country-specific import and export rules and international customs regulations and procedures. Depending on where you are shipping to and from, there are many different rules that may need to be properly followed. Typically there are also different rules depending on whether you are a foreign diplomat or a citizen of the country where you are shipping a 20 ft container.