Freight is charged on volume, so the container plan is a pricing decision as much as a logistics one. Two suppliers can quote the same unit price and deliver very different landed costs, purely because of how the machines pack.
The numbers that matter
A 40HQ container holds roughly 67 to 68 cubic metres, with an internal length of about 12 metres, width of 2.35 metres and height of 2.69 metres. In practice, usable volume depends on how well the cartons stack and whether the load is palletised.
- Loose loaded cartons use the volume most efficiently — usually the best option for cartons designed to stack.
- Palletised loads lose around five to eight percent of volume but unload faster and protect the goods better.
- Mixed models need a plan, not a guess: heavy items low and forward, light bulky items on top.
Typical packing for common garden machinery
| Product | Packing style | Notes on volume |
|---|---|---|
| Chainsaws | Colour carton, one or two per carton | Small volume; bar length changes carton length |
| Brush cutters | Long carton, shaft split | Length is the constraint, not weight |
| Hedge trimmers | Long flat carton | Blade length drives carton size |
| Lawn mowers | Carton with handle folded | Deck size drives volume; folding handle saves height |
| Leaf blowers | Carton, backpack models bulkier | Bulky but light — volume-driven |
Rather than quote a single number of units per container, ask for a loading plan: how many of each model, in what position, with what total volume. That is the document a freight forwarder needs anyway.
Design choices that save freight
- Folding handles on mowers reduce carton height and can add units per container.
- Split shafts on brush cutters allow shorter cartons without weakening the product.
- Nested cartons for accessories and spares fill the gaps around larger machines.
- Consistent carton footprints make stacking predictable and reduce damaged goods.
Loading a mixed container
Most importers do not ship one model. A typical first container mixes categories to test the market. The rules that keep it efficient:
- Calculate total volume including spares and packaging material.
- Place heavy, dense cartons at the floor and towards the front.
- Keep one model per block so unloading and counting is simple.
- Leave the door end for light, bulky items that unload first.
Frequently asked questions
How many lawn mowers fit in a 40HQ?
It depends on deck size and whether the handle folds. Ask for a loading plan per model — a generic figure is usually wrong.
Is palletising worth the lost volume?
For high-value or fragile models, yes. For cartons designed for stacking, loose loading is usually cheaper.
Can you load multiple models in one container?
Yes. Mixed containers are standard, and we provide the loading plan with the quotation so freight can be calculated accurately.
Send us your target mix and destination port and we will return a loading plan with the quotation. The product catalogue lists the models we pack most often.