Held & Associates, Inc.

Weight Limits
In general, ocean containers are designed and rated at maximum weights that exceed legal U.S. and most overseas highway limits. U.S. highway limits have some variance by state. This table indicates both the container specifications and what is commonly considered as legal maximum average cargo weight for highway usage:

Type of
Container

Container Specification
Max Cargo Weight

Highway
Max Cargo Weight

20' STD or Open Top
20' Flat
40' STD/Hi Cube or Open Top
40' Flat
45' Hi Cube

39,800 lbs
39,500 lbs
58,500 lbs
59,000 lbs
58,500 lbs

32,000 lbs*
32,000 lbs*
46,000 lbs
45,000 lbs
45,000 lbs

*Can load up to container specification with special tri-axle chassis

1120 ERIE STREET * P.O. BOX 34470 * NORTH KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI USA 64116-0870
Tel# (816) 842-6701 *** Fax# (816) 842-6724 *** E-MAIL: INTL@HELD-ASSOC.COM