Choosing between a 20-foot and a 40-foot container starts with a measured inventory, not simply the number of bedrooms in your home. The categories below are starting points for a discussion, not guarantees that your belongings will fit.

Prepare an inventory before choosing a container

List every item you intend to ship, including packed boxes, furniture and unusually shaped belongings. Measure large pieces and record whether legs, shelves or bed frames can be removed. Include the dimensions after packing when available: protective wrapping and crates take up space too. Use our moving inventory and free template to organize the information.

Compare the proposed loading plan

Ask your shipping provider to assess both volume and weight and confirm the exact equipment proposed. Internal dimensions, door clearance and payload limits should be checked for that equipment. An item can be difficult to load even when its calculated volume looks small. Do not assume that all boxes can be stacked or that fragile furniture can support other belongings.

  • Which pieces need dismantling or special protection?
  • What space is allowed for packaging and securing the load?
  • Will a larger item fit through the container door?
  • What changes to the inventory would require a revised quote?

An illustrative household example

Consider two households with the same number of bedrooms. One ships mostly boxed belongings and dismantled furniture; the other keeps a large sofa, dining table and fragile cabinets assembled. Their loading requirements can differ substantially. This example is not a capacity estimate: send item dimensions and photos for an assessment before selecting a container.

Check access at both addresses

Describe parking restrictions, stairs, elevators, narrow roads and any building booking requirements at pickup and delivery. Ask how loading and unloading will be arranged, what access assumptions the quote uses, and which services are included. Container choice alone does not establish whether a vehicle can reach either property.

Request a comparable written quote

Use the same inventory and addresses when comparing proposals. Ask for a clear description of pickup, packing, ocean transport, destination handling and delivery, along with exclusions and conditions that could change the total. Our shipping budget guide explains how to organize that comparison.

Ready for an assessment? Request a shipping quote with your inventory, pickup and destination locations, and preferred moving dates. Ask which container option fits the proposed load before making a booking.

20FT Container

Ideal for:

  • Apartment moves
  • Small family relocations
  • Partial household goods

40FT Container

Ideal for:

  • Large homes
  • Bulky household furniture, subject to a loading assessment
  • Full relocations

Benefits:

  • Better protection
  • More organization
  • Reduced handling risks