How to read a code
Take 45G1. Each part answers one question.
4Length: 40 ft (12.19 m): see the length codes 5Height: 9 ft 6 in, high cube: see the height codes G1Type: general purpose, with vents: see the type codes
Length (first character)
| Code | Feet | Metres | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 ft | 2.991 m | |
| 2 | 20 ft | 6.058 m | |
| 3 | 30 ft | 9.125 m | |
| 4 | 40 ft | 12.192 m | |
| 5 | 45 ft | 13.716 m | Current standard code for 45 ft. |
| A | n/a | 7.150 m | |
| B | 24 ft | 7.315 m | |
| C | 24 ft 6 in | 7.430 m | |
| D | n/a | 7.450 m | |
| E | n/a | 7.820 m | |
| F | n/a | 8.100 m | |
| G | 41 ft | 12.500 m | |
| H | 43 ft | 13.106 m | |
| K | n/a | 13.600 m | |
| L | 45 ft | 13.716 m | Older code for 45 ft, still painted on many boxes. |
| M | 48 ft | 14.630 m | |
| N | 49 ft | 14.935 m | |
| P | 53 ft | 16.154 m |
The codes 6, 7, 8, 9 and R are not assigned in the current table.
Height (second character)
| Code | Height | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 8 ft (2438 mm) | |
| 2 | 8 ft 6 in (2591 mm) | |
| 4 | 9 ft (2742 mm) | |
| 5 | 9 ft 6 in (2896 mm) | High cube. |
| 6 | Over 9 ft 6 in (over 2896 mm) | |
| 7 | Between 4 ft and 8 ft, other than 4 ft 3 in | |
| 8 | 4 ft 3 in (1295 mm) | Half height. |
| 9 | 4 ft (1219 mm) or less |
These heights are for standard-width boxes (8 ft, 2438 mm). Letters in this position are used for wider boxes and are not listed here.
Type (third and fourth characters)
The third character is the type group. The fourth narrows it down.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| G General purpose (no ventilation) | |
| G0 | Opening(s) at one or both ends |
| G1 | Passive vents at the upper part of the cargo space |
| G2 | End openings plus full side opening(s) |
| G3 | End openings plus partial side opening(s) |
| G9 | Bulk-capable |
| V General purpose with ventilation | |
| V0 | Non-mechanical, vents at lower and upper parts |
| V2 | Mechanical ventilation, internal |
| V4 | Mechanical ventilation, external |
| B Dry bulk (non-pressurised box) | |
| B0 | Closed |
| B1 | Airtight |
| B3 | Rear discharge, cat flap |
| B4 | Rear full-width opening |
| B5 | Rear full-width fixed |
| B6 | Removable hard top, hinged hatch, bottom discharge |
| B7 | Open top, full bottom discharge |
| B8 | Front full-width discharge |
| B9 | Side discharge |
| S Named cargoes and non-cargo carriers | |
| S0 | Livestock carrier |
| S1 | Automobile carrier |
| S2 | Live fish carrier |
| S4 | Generator (non-cargo) |
| S8 | Sensitive installed equipment |
| S9 | Residential or commercial use |
| R Thermal: integral refrigerated | |
| R0 | Mechanically refrigerated |
| R1 | Mechanically refrigerated and heated |
| R2 | Self-powered, refrigerated |
| R3 | Self-powered, refrigerated and heated |
| R5 | Integrated refrigerated and heated |
| R7 | Heated |
| R8 | Heated, self-powered |
| H Thermal: removable equipment or insulated | |
| H0 | Refrigerated or heated, removable equipment external, K=0.4 |
| H1 | Removable equipment internal |
| H2 | Removable equipment external, K=0.7 |
| H5 | Insulated, K=0.4 |
| H6 | Insulated, K=0.7 |
| H8 | Eutectic with remote mechanical refrigeration |
| W Foldable general purpose | |
| W0 | Folds on base structure |
| W1 | Folds on side structure |
| U Open top | |
| U0 | Opening(s) at one or both ends |
| U1 | End openings plus removable top members in end frames |
| U2 | End openings plus side openings |
| U3 | Combined end and side openings plus removable end-frame top members |
| U4 | End openings plus partial opening on one side, full on the other |
| U6 | Open top with removable hard top |
| U9 | Coil carrier |
| P Platform, flat and flat rack | |
| P0 | Platform with incomplete superstructure |
| P1 | Two complete fixed ends |
| P2 | Fixed posts |
| P3 | Folding complete end structure (collapsible) |
| P4 | Folding posts |
| P5 | Open top, open ends (skeletal) |
| P6 | Ship's gear carrier |
| P7 | Car carrier |
| P8 | Timber or pipe carrier |
| P9 | Coil carrier |
| T Tank (older scheme, still painted on many tanks) | |
| T0 | Non-dangerous liquids, 0.45 bar minimum test pressure |
| T1 | Non-dangerous liquids, 1.50 bar |
| T2 | Non-dangerous liquids, 2.65 bar |
| T3 | Dangerous liquids, 1.50 bar |
| T4 | Dangerous liquids, 2.65 bar |
| T5 | Dangerous liquids, 4.00 bar |
| T6 | Dangerous liquids, 6.00 bar |
| T7 | Gases, 9.10 bar (one older table gives 10.5 bar) |
| T8 | Gases, 22.00 bar |
| T9 | Gases, test pressure to be decided |
| K Pressurised tank (2022 table) | |
| K0 | Non-regulated liquid |
| K1 | Dangerous goods, up to 2.65 bar |
| K2 | Dangerous goods, over 2.65 to 10 bar |
| K3 | Dangerous goods, over 10 bar |
| K4 | Non-regulated, power required |
| K5 | Dangerous goods up to 10 bar, power required |
| K6 | Dangerous goods over 10 bar, power required |
| K7 | Cryogenic |
| K8 | Gas |
| N Dry tank: hopper, non-pressurised and pressurised (2022 table) | |
| N0 | Hopper, vertical discharge |
| N1 | Hopper, rear discharge |
| N3 | Non-pressurised, rear discharge |
| N4 | Non-pressurised, side discharge |
| N5 | Non-pressurised, tipping discharge |
| N7 | Pressurised, rear discharge |
| N8 | Pressurised, side discharge |
| N9 | Pressurised, tipping discharge |
| A Air/surface container | |
| A0 | Air/surface |
Common codes
| Code | Length | Height | Type | Description | Older code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22G0 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | General purpose | Standard dry box with doors at one or both ends | 2200 |
| 22G1 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | General purpose | Standard dry container with passive vents at the upper part | 2210 |
| 42G0 | 40 ft | 8 ft 6 in | General purpose | Standard dry box with end openings | |
| 42G1 | 40 ft | 8 ft 6 in | General purpose | Standard dry container with passive upper vents | 4310 (with gooseneck tunnel) |
| 45G0 | 40 ft | 9 ft 6 in | General purpose | High-cube dry box with end openings | |
| 45G1 | 40 ft | 9 ft 6 in | General purpose | High-cube dry container with passive upper vents | 4510 |
| L5G1 | 45 ft | 9 ft 6 in | General purpose | High-cube dry container with passive upper vents (older L marking for 45 ft) | |
| 22R1 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Refrigerated | Reefer, mechanically refrigerated and heated | |
| 42R1 | 40 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Refrigerated | Reefer, mechanically refrigerated and heated | |
| 45R1 | 40 ft | 9 ft 6 in | Refrigerated | High-cube reefer, mechanically refrigerated and heated | |
| L5R1 | 45 ft | 9 ft 6 in | Refrigerated | High-cube reefer, mechanically refrigerated and heated | |
| 22U1 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Open top | End openings plus removable top members in the end frames | |
| 42U1 | 40 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Open top | End openings plus removable top members in the end frames | |
| 45U1 | 40 ft | 9 ft 6 in | Open top | High-cube open-top container | |
| 22P1 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Platform / flat rack | Flat rack with two complete fixed ends | |
| 42P1 | 40 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Platform / flat rack | Flat rack with two complete fixed ends | |
| 22P3 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Platform / flat rack | Collapsible flat rack with folding complete end structure | |
| 42P3 | 40 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Platform / flat rack | Collapsible flat rack with folding complete end structure | |
| 22T6 | 20 ft | 8 ft 6 in | Tank | Tank for dangerous liquids, 6.0 bar test pressure (older T scheme) | 2276 |
Notes
- 45 ft boxes: the current standard writes the length as "5", but many boxes still carry the older "L", as in L5G1. Both mean 45 ft, so expect to see either one in the field.
- Tanks: the newer tables use K and N for tanks. The older T codes are still painted on many existing tank containers, so both appear in the yard.
- Before 1996 the codes were four digits. Where the sources confirm the older number, it is shown in the last column of the common codes table.
Sources: BIC size and type codes · BIC type code designation (ISO 6346:2022) · ICHCA illustrated guide to container size and type codes