How many plastic pallets fit in a 40ft container?
The short answer: it depends on the pallet's packed volume (CBM) and whether it nests. A 40' high-cube gives about 64.9 m³ of usable space (≈76.3 m³ at 85% stow efficiency). Divide that by the pallet's CBM to estimate the count.
The method
- Take the container's usable volume — about 64.9 m³ for a 40' HQ (≈67 m³ for a standard 40ft, ≈33 m³ for a 20ft).
- Find the pallet's packed CBM (length × width × height in metres). Nestable pallets use their nested height, which is much lower.
- Divide usable volume by the pallet CBM. That is your floor-loaded estimate; double-stacking light loads can roughly double it.
Formula: pallets ≈ (container usable m³) ÷ (pallet CBM). We apply an 85% stow factor for real-world gaps and securing.
Worked example — our plastic pallet range
Estimated units per 40' HQ from each pallet's CBM (supplier-stated figure used where available).
Figures are estimates for floor loading; exact counts depend on stacking and are confirmed on quote.
Frequently asked
How many plastic pallets fit in a 40ft container?
It depends on pallet height and whether they nest. The usable volume of a 40' high-cube is about 64.9 m³ (≈76.3 m³ at 85% stow efficiency). Divide that by the pallet's packed CBM: nestable export pallets fold together and ship in the hundreds, while rigid rackable pallets ship far fewer. Each product page lists units per 40' HQ.
What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40' high-cube (HQ) container?
Both are 40 ft long, but the high-cube is about 30 cm taller, giving roughly 76 m³ usable versus about 67 m³ for a standard 40ft. We quote per-container counts against the 40' HQ.
Do nestable pallets really ship more per container?
Yes. Nestable pallets fold into each other when empty, so their packed CBM is a fraction of a rigid pallet's — that is why far more nestable pallets fit in the same container, cutting freight cost per unit.
How do I get an exact pallet count for my order?
Use the on-site load calculator for a CBM-based estimate, or request a quote and we confirm the exact floor-loaded count for the specific models and quantities you need.