A practical reference guide designed to facilitate your foreign trade and logistics operations: standard ocean container sizing, Incoterms 2020 liability matrix, and essential trade links.
1. Ocean Container Types & Technical Dimensions
Select the most suitable ocean container specification for your cargo volume, gross weight, and commodity characteristics using the table below:
| Container Type | Internal Length | Internal Width | Internal Height | Volume (m³) | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard (20' DC) | 5.89 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 33.2 m³ | ~28,000 kg |
| 40' Standard (40' DC) | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 67.7 m³ | ~26,500 kg |
| 40' High Cube (40' HC) | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.69 m | 76.4 m³ | ~26,500 kg |
| 45' High Cube (45' HC) | 13.55 m | 2.35 m | 2.69 m | 86.0 m³ | ~27,500 kg |
| 20' / 40' Open Top | 5.89 / 12.02 m | 2.35 m | 2.34 m | 32.0 / 65.5 m³ | Top crane loading / machinery |
| 20' / 40' Flat Rack | 5.69 / 11.83 m | 2.23 m | 2.28 m | Special Project Cargo | Out-of-gauge heavy industrial cargo |
| 20' / 40' Reefer (Refrigerated) | 5.44 / 11.58 m | 2.29 m | 2.27 m | 28.3 / 67.8 m³ | -30°C to +30°C climate control |
2. Incoterms 2020 Rules & Liability Matrix
Published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Incoterms 2020 rules determine the precise distribution of freight costs, insurance liabilities, and risk between buyers and sellers:
The seller makes goods available at their warehouse; all freight, transit risks, and export/import customs rest with the buyer.
The seller clears goods for export and delivers them to the carrier designated by the buyer at the specified location.
Widely used in maritime transport; risk passes to the buyer once cargo passes over the ship’s rail at the loading port.
Seller covers ocean freight to the port of destination; cargo damage risk transfers to the buyer upon ship boarding.
Seller pays ocean freight and procures minimum transit insurance; transfer occurs at the destination discharge port.
Seller delivers goods ready for unloading at the agreed foreign destination; import duties remain the buyer’s duty.
Maximum seller responsibility: seller pays all freight, marine insurance, export/import duties, delivering to the buyer’s door.
3. Vital Trade & Industry Portals
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
- Ministry of Trade (Customs & Foreign Trade Portal)
- Mersin International Port (MIP Vessel Schedules & Gate Status)
- UND (International Transporters Association)
- FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations)
- Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey Daily Exchange Rates