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How Much Steel Fits in a Container?
Steel shipments are weight-limited. Here are practical container payloads by product.
| Product | 20ft payload | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rebar / bar | ~25–27 t | Weight-limited; 6 m lengths |
| Coil (HRC/GI) | ~25 t | 2–4 coils, chocked |
| Plate | ~25 t | Stacked, dunnage |
| Beams/sections | ~24–26 t | 12 m needs 40ft/open-top |
Because steel is dense, a 20ft container reaches its ~25–28 t weight limit before it is full. Long products (12 m beams) need a 40ft or open-top; very large tonnages ship break-bulk — see container vs break-bulk.
Frequently asked questions
How many tonnes of steel in a 20ft container?
Around 25–27 tonnes for most steel products — the box hits its weight limit before it fills.
Do 12m beams fit in a container?
12 m sections need a 40ft or open-top container; 20ft suits 6 m lengths.
When is break-bulk better?
For very large single tonnages to bulk-capable ports, break-bulk lowers freight per tonne.
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