Container Loading Calculator
How many plywood bundles and sheets fit in a shipping container? Compare 20ft, 40ft, 40HC and flatbed side-by-side — with rubberwood cores or a custom density.
Inputs
📦 Bundle specification
Pieces / bundle
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Bundle height
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Bundle weight
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Bundle volume
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Bundle size
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Density
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How to optimize container loading
Efficient loading minimizes freight cost per sheet. The key question: should you ship in a 20ft, 40ft or 40HC container? Rubberwood plywood is usually weight-limited for thicker sheets (18mm+); thin sheets (3–9mm) can be space-limited.
Container types
- 20ft — max ~20 MT payload, 8 pallet positions. Small/trial orders.
- 40ft — max ~25.5 MT, 16 positions. Standard medium volume.
- 40HC (High Cube) — max ~28.5 MT, up to 18 positions. Best cost-per-sheet for plywood.
- Flatbed — ~21 MT, port-to-warehouse domestic delivery.
Bundle constraints
The calculator uses production-standard limits: ~1,000 mm max stack height, ~1,760 kg max bundle weight, pieces rounded down to the nearest 5 for production efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
How many plywood sheets fit in a 40HC container?
Roughly 900–1,800 sheets depending on thickness and core. For 18mm rubberwood at 1220×2440, about 880 sheets (16 bundles) — weight-limited. Lighter cores fit more by volume.
What is the max weight for a 40HC with plywood?
About 26,500–28,500 kg payload. With heavier cores, weight becomes the limit before volume; with light cores you fill by volume first.
Should I use a 20ft or 40HC for plywood?
A 40HC usually gives the best cost-per-sheet. Use a 20ft for trial orders or limited warehouse space. The calculator shows utilization side-by-side.