Shipping Container (Intermodal Container)
A standardized steel box (typically 20 or 40 feet long) designed to move seamlessly between ships, rail cars, and trucks without unloading the cargo inside. Containers are the backbone of international trade and domestic intermodal shipping. They are sealed, weatherproof, and stackable, making them efficient for long-distance multimodal transport.
Detailed Explanation
A standardized steel box (typically 20 or 40 feet long) designed to move seamlessly between ships, rail cars, and trucks without unloading the cargo inside. Containers are the backbone of international trade and domestic intermodal shipping. They are sealed, weatherproof, and stackable, making them efficient for long-distance multimodal transport.
Example
An importer receives a 40-foot container of electronics from Shenzhen, China. The container travels by ocean to Long Beach, by rail to Chicago, and by truck on a chassis to a distribution center in Indiana.
Related Resources
Need Help With Your Freight?
Understanding freight terminology is the first step. Let us handle the rest — tell us about your shipment and we will match you with the right carrier.