20ft Side Opening Shipping Container Dimensions

A 20ft side opening shipping container, also known as a 20ft open side or full side access container, has standard cargo doors at one end and a wide opening along one long side. The external footprint is usually very close to a standard 20ft container, which makes it useful where site space is limited but access along the side would make loading easier.

The important difference is not the outside length. It is the way the doors, frame, roof and floor are built. Side opening doors are heavier than ordinary end doors, so the container structure is reinforced. On some builds, this reduces internal height slightly. The clear side opening also varies by door design, hinge arrangement and whether the doors are factory-built or part of a conversion.

Use the figures below for early planning, then check the exact container drawing before you commit to a purchase, hire or modification.

How these dimensions compare with a standard 20ft container

A 20ft side opener takes up a similar ground area to a standard 20ft container, so it can work on many of the same sites. The benefit is access. Instead of feeding everything through the end doors, you can open the long side and reach stock across the length of the container.

That matters for pallets, timber, pipework, event equipment, shopfitting materials, machinery parts and stock that needs frequent picking. It can also help where the container needs to face a yard, workshop or loading bay from the long side.

The compromise is that you need a clear working strip along the side. A standard end-opening container can sit closer to a wall or fence as long as the end doors are clear. A side opening unit needs room for the long doors to open and for people, pallets or forklifts to work safely. Compare the base footprint with 20ft standard container dimensions if you are deciding between the two.

Door clearance and loading width

The side door opening is the reason most customers choose this type of container. A clear side opening of roughly 5.7m or more gives far better access than the end doors alone. It can allow loads to be placed where they need to sit rather than pushed or carried from the front.

Door clearance is not only width. Check the height of the side opening, the height of the end doors, the floor height from ground level and the space needed for door leaves when open. A load may fit through the width but still fail on height, turning angle or ground clearance.

Forklift use needs more than a clear opening. The ground outside the container should be firm, level and wide enough for the forklift to approach squarely. If the container is on sleepers or pads, check the floor height and approach angle before assuming a pallet truck or forklift can work through the side.

Internal height, floor and usable space

Published internal heights for 20ft side opening containers vary. Some drawings show an internal height close to 2.29m, while other product specifications show closer to 2.39m. That difference can matter if you are stacking pallets, storing tall stillages or fitting lining and insulation.

The floor is commonly marine plywood on steel cross members. Some specifications list a 28mm marine ply floor, but the condition and rating of the actual floor still need checking, especially on used units. Point loads from machinery, racking feet or stillages should be considered before loading.

The usable internal width is also less than the external width because of the side walls and frame. Do not plan storage from the outside width. Measure the goods, allow clearance for handling and leave space for air movement if moisture-sensitive items are being stored.

Weight, payload and CSC information

Weights and ratings vary by container build. Some 20ft open side drawings list a tare weight a little above three tonnes, while other hire specifications list slightly different figures. Max gross weight and payload can also vary, especially where different CSC ratings are used.

For ordinary static storage, the main concerns are the load placed inside, the floor condition and the ground under the container. For transport or export, the CSC plate, gross rating, tare weight, payload, cargo suitability and carrier acceptance all matter. A plate or label should not be treated as a guarantee that every shipping line will accept the unit for every cargo.

For export use, check requirements with the freight forwarder, shipping line, customs agent and insurer. The Shippers Own Containers page gives a useful starting point for shipper-owned container moves.

Delivery space for a 20ft side opener

A 20ft side opening container may be compact by container standards, but delivery still needs checking. Measure gate width, road approach, turning space, overhead cables, trees, gutters, roof edges and the final set-down area. The lorry needs safe access, and the container needs to sit on firm, level ground.

Level placement matters more with side doors than many people expect. If the container twists on uneven ground, long side doors can become harder to close. Concrete, compacted hardcore or suitable level supports are better than soft ground. Make sure the side that needs to open is not placed tight against a wall, fence, hedge or stored materials.

Use the container delivery guide before arranging delivery. When asking Shipping Containers of Bristol for a quote, include the postcode, intended position, access route, ground type and which side needs to open.

Buying, hiring and checking the right unit

Buying a 20ft side opener can make sense for long-term storage, regular stock access, resale value or future modification. Hire suits shorter projects, temporary site storage, seasonal stock and work where the unit will be collected afterwards. If the container is hired, check what can and cannot be fixed to it, and ask who is responsible for damage to doors, seals, locking bars and flooring.

Side opening units can be more specialist than standard containers, so availability and specification should be confirmed rather than assumed. Compare general options through shipping containers for sale or container hire, then ask for the actual side opening dimensions before planning your load.

For modifications, remember that lining, insulation, electrics, vents and racking can change the internal space. Planning requirements can depend on intended use, duration, site status, neighbouring property, listed status, conservation areas, change of use, works and local policy. Check current requirements with the local council before committing to a long-term placement or conversion.

Send measurements, site details and intended use through the container quote page when you are ready to check a suitable unit.