Planning an international move or interstate relocation can be overwhelming — especially when it comes to estimating how much space you’ll need. One of the most common questions we hear at Palmers Relocations is: “How much furniture can fit in a 40-foot container?”
Whether you’re moving a large household, relocating for work, or managing a corporate transfer, understanding container capacity is essential for budgeting, logistics, and peace of mind. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know.
What Is a 40-Foot Shipping Container?
A 40-foot container is one of the largest standard container sizes used in international relocations and freight shipping. These containers are designed for ocean freight and are ideal for transporting household goods.
Dimensions (External & Internal)
- External: 12.19m (L) x 2.44m (W) x 2.59m (H)
- Internal usable space: ~11.8m (L) x 2.35m (W) x 2.39m (H)
- Volume: Around 67 cubic metres
How Does a 40-Foot Container Compare to Other Options?
While a 40-foot container is the go-to for many international relocations, it’s not the only option. Depending on the size of your household, your budget, and whether you’re moving part of your home or the whole lot, other container types might be more suitable.
Here’s a quick comparison of the most commonly used shipping containers for household moves:
|
Container Type |
Approx. Volume |
Ideal For |
|
20ft GP |
33–36 m³ |
1–2 bedroom apartment or partial shipment |
|
40ft GP |
67 m³ |
3–4 bedroom household |
|
40ft HC (High Cube) |
76 m³ |
4–5 bedroom home, or furniture + vehicle |
|
45ft HC |
86 m³ |
Large family or corporate relocations |
|
LCL / Groupage |
Shared space |
Small shipments, students, and budget moves |
|
Specialty Containers |
Varies |
Oversized items, temperature-sensitive goods |
What Can You Fit Inside a 40-Foot Container?
A 40-foot container can typically fit the contents of a 3–4 bedroom house, depending on how efficiently the items are packed.
Example of What You Can Fit:
- Living Room
- 2 x three-seater sofas
- Coffee table, TV stand & TV
- Bookshelves and side tables
- Floor lamps and rugs
- Dining Room
- 6–8 seater dining table with chairs
- Sideboard or buffet
- Bedrooms
- 3–4 queen/king beds with mattresses
- Dressers, nightstands, wardrobes
- Bedding, lamps, and decor
- Kitchen & Miscellaneous
- Fridge, washer, dryer
- Kitchen appliances and utensils
- Boxes of pantry items, crockery, cookware
- Outdoor Items
- BBQ
- Outdoor table and chairs
- Gardening tools or a lawnmower
- Personal & Fragile Items
- Up to 100–200 moving boxes (depending on size)
- Artworks, electronics, photo albums, and personal files
👉 Tip: If you have bulky furniture or unusually shaped items (like a grand piano or gym equipment), these can reduce the total number of items that fit.
How Packing Efficiency Affects Capacity
How much furniture you can fit depends greatly on how well the container is packed. At Palmers Relocations, our trained crews use expert loading techniques to:
- Maximise vertical and horizontal space
- Use custom crates for fragile items
- Safeguard your furniture during transit with export wrapping
- Reduce wasted space with smart stacking and padding
💡 Did you know? A poorly packed container may only fit 70% of what a professionally packed one can accommodate.
Shared vs. Sole-Use Container
If you’re not moving an entire household, we also offer groupage/shared container services, where your belongings share space with other customers moving to the same destination. This is ideal for:
- 1-bedroom apartments
- Partial household shipments
- Individuals moving for study or work
Ideal for International and Interstate Moves
A 40-foot container is ideal for:
- Moving overseas with your entire home contents
- Relocating large families
- Sending vehicles along with furniture (yes, you can fit a car + contents in some cases)
- Corporate or executive relocations
At Palmers, we also handle customs clearance, quarantine inspections, and delivery to your new door—so your 40-foot container isn’t just space, it’s a full relocation solution.
Is a 40-Foot Container Right for You?
If you’re moving a standard family home (3+ bedrooms), a 40-foot container will typically provide ample space for furniture, boxes, white goods, and more. To ensure the container is used efficiently and your items are secure, professional packing and inventory planning are key.
Want to know if your items will fit? We offer:
- In-home or virtual pre-move surveys
- Volume assessments
- Tailored move planning and expert guidance
Ready to Move?
Whether you’re planning a door-to-door international relocation or a large interstate move, our team at Palmers Relocations is here to help.
📞 Contact us for a free quote or book a consultation with one of our relocation specialists today.
👉 Get in touch to see how we make moving easier—container and all.