Container

Containers are standardized transport equipment used in international trade for loading goods, featuring uniform dimensions and strength to facilitate multimodal transport. Common types include 20-foot (TEU) and 40-foot (FEU) standard containers, as well as special containers such as open-top containers, flat rack containers, and reefer containers. Application scenarios include sea, rail, and road transport, particularly in FCL (Full Container Load), where the shipper exclusively uses one container, and in LCL (Less than Container Load), where goods from multiple shippers are consolidated into one container. Precautions: Container types should be selected based on cargo characteristics, e.g., 20-foot containers for overweight cargo and 40-foot high-cube containers for light bulky cargo; attention should be paid to weight distribution and securing during loading to avoid imbalanced loading; free container period and demurrage charges should be noted. Compared with bulk cargo transport, container transport is safer and more efficient, but container leasing, loading/unloading, and repositioning costs must be considered. The difference from pallets is that containers are large outer packaging units, while pallets are small unitized tools. Foreign trade contracts should specify container type, quantity, and delivery terms (e.g., CY-CY, Door-Door).