48ft Domestic
US domestic rail/truck box — 6 inches wider inside than ISO boxes, which two pallet rows appreciate.
| EXTERNAL L×W×H | 48' 0" × 8' 6" × 9' 6" | 14.63 × 2.591 × 2.896 m |
|---|---|---|
| INTERNAL L×W×H | 47' 5" × 8' 2" × 8' 10" | 14.453 × 2.489 × 2.698 m |
| DOOR OPENING W×H | 8' 2" × 8' 6" | 2.489 × 2.585 m |
| TARE WEIGHT | 9,500 lb | 4,310 kg |
| MAX PAYLOAD | 57,700 lb | 26,170 kg |
| MAX GROSS | 67,200 lb | 30,480 kg |
| CAPACITY | 3,454 cu ft | 97.8 cbm |
| FLOOR AREA | 387 sq ft | 36.0 m² |
| PALLETS (GMA / EURO) | 26 / 30 |
The numbers that matter
A 48ft domestic gives you 387 sq ft of floor and 3,454 cubic feet (97.8 cbm) of space inside external dimensions of 48' 0" × 8' 6" × 9' 6". Empty it weighs 9,500 lb; loaded it may gross 67,200 lb. In cargo terms that is 26 US pallets or 30 Euro pallets in a single layer.
48s and 53s are 8'6" wide — they never sail. They live on US rails and highways, which is why they're cheap inland.
What it costs
Used, cargo-worthy units currently trade at $3,000–5,500 in the US; new one-trip units at $5,500–8,500. Delivery adds 15–40% depending on distance — always compare delivered prices, not yard prices.
Quick answers
What are the exact dimensions of a 48ft domestic container?
External: 48' 0" × 8' 6" × 9' 6" (14.63 × 2.591 × 2.896 m). Internal: 47' 5" × 8' 2" × 8' 10".
How much does a 48ft domestic weigh?
Empty (tare) it weighs 9,500 lb (4,310 kg) and is rated to a max gross of 67,200 lb, leaving 57,700 lb of payload.
How much does a 48ft domestic cost?
In the US in 2026, used units run $3,000–5,500 and new (one-trip) units $5,500–8,500, before delivery (add 15–40%).