Domestic vs International Shipping Containers

The similarities between domestic and international shipping containers are clear. Both storage and transport containers get items to and from different places.

There are differences, though. You can transport domestic shipping containers by different means. While international shipping containers only move by ship.

“But why should I care about shipping container differences?” you ask. Shipping containers can hold various kinds of goods. Shipping containers are also durable enough to store and transport dangerous materials.

How much effort shipping items takes depends on where you’re shipping them. The destination for your goods decides what kind of container you should use.

We’re going to talk about domestic vs. international shipping containers. We’ll also discuss transport methods, shipping costs, and sizes. Keep reading to learn more about the storage units that move goods worldwide.

Shipping Container Similarities

Most shipping containers contain corten steel. Corten is an alloy composed of other types of metal that oxidize when exposed to air and water. Oxidization keeps the metal from degrading any further.

Once corten sheets get processed, they’re cut into pieces and corrugated steel panels. Manufacturers weld the walls together. Hardwood flooring and lockable double doors become attached for extra strength and security.

Domestic Vs. International Shipping Containers: Transport

Shipping containers are also called intermodal containers. “Intermodal” means many modes of transport. Trucks, trains, and ships can get shipping units from one place to another.

Domestic shipping containers move across the land within borders by rail and trucks. International containers move by train or truck and are for ocean transport.

Domestic and International Shipping Processes

Domestic shipping is generally easier than shipping in an international crate. All you need is a shipping label to ship in the United States. Within three days, the package reaches its destination.

International or ISO (International Standard for Organization) crates take more effort to transport. The term “ISO”  implies specific standards you have to meet.

To use an international shipping crate, you’ll need:

• Commercial invoice packaging
• Shipper instruction letter
• Origin certificate
• Landing bills

All packages have to go through customs before continuing transport into the country. You should also know your container shipping cost before shipment.

In the US, the Department of Transportation decides shipping fees. Outside the country, customs regulations determine shipping costs.

Shipping Container Size Differences

Earlier, we discussed construction similarities between domestic and international shipping containers. The two containers aren’t interchangeable because of the size differences.

We measure shipping containers in TEUs or twenty-foot equivalent units. A domestic shipping container is between 48 and 53 feet long (14 and 16 meters) and 8 feet 6 inches wide (about 2 meters).

So the average domestic container is about 2 TEUs long and over 2 TUEs wide. International shipping containers are a little smaller. They’re often 20 and 40 feet (6 and 12 meters) long and 8 feet (2 meters) wide.

Container ships can better accommodate the shorter international shipping containers than domestic ones. Smaller storage units mean ships can move more cargo at once.

Know The Differences Between Shipping Containers

The most significant difference between shipping containers is transporting domestic or international goods. Shipping labels are all you need to move containers in the US.

International transport requires a lot of paperwork before cargo can move beyond customs.

Transportation methods have the slightest difference between domestic vs. international shipping containers. Only international shipping containers travel by sea.

If there’s any other topic you wish to know about, take a look through the blog. There are plenty more helpful and exciting posts to choose from.