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Container Truck Size in India 2026: Dimensions, Height & Capacity
Summary
See every container truck size in India with real dimensions, payload and usable space.
Container truck size in India ranges from 14 feet to 40 feet. Payload runs from 2.2 tonnes on a 14 ft body to 19 tonnes on a 32 ft multi-axle. The 32 feet truck is the most common size on Indian highways.
Popular container trucks include the Tata 407 Gold SFC (14 ft), Eicher Pro 3015XP (20 ft), Tata LPT 1918 Cowl (32 ft SXL) and Ashok Leyland AVTR 2820 (32 ft MXL). A 40 ft container needs a tractor-trailer such as the Tata Signa 4625.S.
Size choice depends on your cargo type. Heavy cargo like tiles, cement and steel hits the weight limit while the body still has space. Bulky cargo like cotton bales, mattresses and packaging fills the body before the weight limit. But I will give you a clear idea of what container size to choose.
Closed Body Container Vs ISO Container Truck
First, we need to clear the confusion around this topic:
A closed-body container truck is a normal truck with a sealed box built on the chassis. The body is measured in feet. Indian body builders make these in 14, 19, 20, 22, 24 and 32 feet. You need this if you moove goods domestically.
An ISO (International Organization for Standardization) shipping container is a steel box built to an international standard. It comes in 20 feet and 40 feet. It rides on a flatbed trailer and moves between ports, ships, rail yards and ICDs.
If your cargo goes to a port, you need an ISO container.
| Closed-body container truck | ISO shipping container | |
|---|---|---|
| Measured in | Feet of body length | 20 ft / 40 ft standard |
| Built by | Local body builders | ISO-certified makers |
| Used for | Domestic road freight | Port and EXIM movement |
| Common sizes | 14–32 ft | 20 ft, 40 ft, 40 ft HC |
Container Truck Size Chart
Every common truck container size used in India, with the numbers that decide your booking.
| Size | L × W × H (ft) | Payload | Cargo volume | Usable CBM | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 ft | 14 × 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 | 2.2–4.4 T | 546 CFT / 15.5 CBM | 13–14 | Local delivery |
| 19 ft | 19 × 7 × 7 | 7–10.8 T | 931 CFT / 26.4 CBM | 22–24 | FMCG, retail |
| 20 ft | 20 × 7.5 × 8 | 9.5–11.5 T | 1,043 CFT / 29.5 CBM | 25–27 | City distribution |
| 22 ft | 22 × 7.5 × 8 | 9.7–11.5 T | 1,151 CFT / 32.6 CBM | 28–29 | Mixed retail loads |
| 24 ft | 24 × 7 × 8 | 10–15 T | 1,344 CFT / 38 CBM | 32–34 | Heavier packed goods |
| 32 ft SXL | 32 × 8 × 8 | 10.5–17 T | 2,048 CFT / 58 CBM | 49–52 | Light, bulky freight |
| 32 ft MXL | 32 × 8 × 8–9 | 17–19 T | 2,048 CFT / 58 CBM | 49–52 | Dense long-haul cargo |
| 32 ft HQ | 32 × 8 × 9–9.6 | 10.5–19 T | 2,304 CFT / 65 CBM | 55–59 | Tall, light cargo |
| 40 ft trailer | 40 × 8 × 8 | 30–40 T | 67.7 CBM (40 GP) | 57–61 | Port, EXIM, heavy industry |
Usable CBM (cubic meter) is lower than total volume. Real loads leave gaps at the top and between cartons. Plan for 85 to 90 percent of the box.
For every body type beyond containers, see our guide to truck dimensions in feet in India.
Container Truck Sizes in India Explained
14 Feet Container Truck
The smallest closed body in regular use. It handles local delivery, distributor top-ups and shop restocking, and turns inside narrow market lanes where longer bodies get stuck.
| Model | Body size (L × W × H) | Payload | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata 407 Gold SFC | 14 × 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 ft | 2,267 kg | ₹10.75 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 2049 | 14 × 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 ft | 2,241 kg | ₹12.16 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland Partner 4 Tyre | 14 × 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 ft | 4,425 kg | ₹13.45 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 2059XP 3770/CBC | 14 × 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 ft | 4,150 kg | ₹16.09 lakh |
Full specs: 14 feet truck dimensions in India
19 Feet Container Truck
India's most popular mid-size body. Overall vehicle height stays near 8.5 feet, which keeps it clear of restrictions that stop taller trucks inside city limits. Size plus access is why it dominates FMCG and retail distribution.
| Model | Body size (L × W × H) | Payload | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata 1412 LPT | 19 × 7 × 7 ft | 9,500 kg | ₹21.81 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 2114XP CNG 4255/HSD | 19 × 7 × 7 ft | 10,491 kg | ₹23.06 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 2110 6S | 19 × 7 × 7 ft | 7,000 kg | ₹23.70 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1615 HE 4200/CBC | 19 × 7 × 7 ft | 10,800 kg | ₹27.50 lakh |
Full specs: 19 feet truck dimensions in India
20 Feet Container Truck Size
The largest body that still moves comfortably through city traffic. It suits e-commerce hubs, pharma runs and FMCG loads that fill space before they reach the weight limit.
| Model | Body size (L × W × H) | Payload | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata LPT 1412 | 20 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 9,500 kg | ₹21.81 lakh |
| BharatBenz 1617R | 20 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 9,750 kg | ₹22.22 lakh |
| Tata Ultra T.16 AMT | 20 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 10,000 kg | ₹24.03 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 3015XP 4490/CAB | 20 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 11,500 kg | ₹26.50 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1615 HE | 20 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 10,800 kg | ₹27.50 lakh |
Full specs: 20 feet truck dimensions in India
22 Feet Container Truck
Two feet longer than the 20, with the same width and container truck height. Those two feet add one more row of cargo. Choose it when your load fills a 20 feet body but does not need a full 32 feet truck.
| Model | Body size (L × W × H) | Payload | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eicher Pro 3015 5490/CBC | 22 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 10,572 kg | ₹21.46 lakh |
| Tata 1512 LPT | 22 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 10,500 kg | ₹23.40 lakh |
| BharatBenz 1917R | 22 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 9,750 kg | ₹24.12 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 3015XP 5490/CAB | 22 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 11,500 kg | ₹26.50 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland AVTR 1920 4x2 | 22 × 7.5 × 8 ft | 10,500 kg | ₹27.50 lakh |
Full specs: 22 feet truck dimensions in India
24 Feet Container Truck
The body runs about 24 × 7 × 8 feet and carries 10 to 15 tonnes. It suits building material, ceramics and packaged goods that reach the weight limit early. Fewer chassis are offered at this length, so availability is thinner than 22 or 32 feet.
| Model | Body size (L × W × H) | Payload | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eicher Pro 2114XP CNG 5105/HSD | 24 × 7 × 8 ft | 10,187 kg | ₹21.26 lakh |
| BharatBenz 1917R CAB/5900 | 24 × 7 × 8 ft | 10,886 kg | ₹22.24 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1615 HE | 24 × 7 × 8 ft | 10,800 kg | ₹25.35 lakh |
32 Feet Container Truck
The workhorse of Indian long-haul freight. Both variants hold the same volume, and only payload changes. SXL runs a single rear axle on six wheels. MXL runs multi-axle on ten wheels and carries far more.
| Model | Body size (L × W × H) | Type | Payload | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata LPT 1918 Cowl | 32 × 8 × 8 ft | SXL (6W) | 12,500 kg | ₹23.37 lakh |
| Eicher Pro 6028 | 32 × 8 × 8–9 ft | MXL (10W) | 19,000 kg | ₹33.20 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland AVTR 2820 6x4 | 32 × 8 × 8–9 ft | MXL (10W) | 17,500 kg | ₹34.50 lakh |
If your load fills the box before it reaches 10 tonnes, book SXL and pay less to run. If it crosses 12 tonnes with space to spare, book MXL. An MXL on a light load wastes fuel. An SXL on a heavy load gets you stopped and fined.
Full specs: 32 feet truck dimensions in India
40 Feet Container Truck
Not a rigid truck. This is a tractor pulling a trailer, and the full road combination runs 55 to 61 feet. It carries 20 ft and 40 ft ISO containers between ports, ICDs and factories.
| Model | Trailer size (L × W × H) | Max load (GCW basis) | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Signa 4625.S | 40 × 8 × 8 ft | 32,000 kg | ₹31.69 lakh |
| Tata Prima 5530.S | 40 × 8 × 8 ft | 40,000 kg | ₹38.71 lakh |
| Ashok Leyland 4225 4x2 | 40 × 8 × 8 ft | ~30,000 kg | ₹47.00 lakh |
| BharatBenz 4228RT | 40 × 8 × 8 ft | 31,250 kg | ₹47.64 lakh |
Full specs: 40 feet container truck dimensions in India
Notes on these figures
Body dimensions are external and come from the body builder, not the truck maker. A 20 ft box is a 20 ft box whether it sits on a Tata or a BharatBenz. Internal cargo space runs about 0.7 ft shorter and 0.3 ft narrower after the walls.
Prices are ex-showroom for the base variant. Truck on-road cost is higher, and the body is billed separately.
For the 40 ft tractors, the load figure is for the full tractor-and-trailer combination, not the tractor alone.
What the Spec Sheet Says vs What You Actually Get
Nearly every website lists a 32 feet truck as 32 × 8 × 8. Trucks on the road are often bigger.
Body builders regularly deliver 32 ft bodies at 8.5 feet wide and 9 to 9.6 feet tall, with full RTO passing papers. That extra height adds 6 to 8 CBM of space. It also changes where the truck can legally go.
| Measurement | Quoted spec | Commonly built | Legal ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 32 ft | 32 ft | 12 m rigid |
| Width | 8 ft | 8–8.6 ft | 2.6 m |
| Container truck height | 8 ft | 8–9.6 ft | 4.0 m overall |
Ask the transporter for the actual internal height before booking. A load planned for 8 feet wastes a 9.6 feet body. A load planned for 9.6 feet will not fit an 8 feet body at all.
Will Your Load Weigh Out or Cube Out?
Every shipment hits one limit before the other. Knowing which one saves money.
Weigh out means you run out of tonnes before you run out of space. Tiles, steel, cement, paint and packaged liquids do this. You need payload, not length.
Cube out means you fill the box before hitting the weight limit. Cushions, cotton, mattresses, empty packaging and light electronics do this. You need volume, not tonnage.
A quick check. Multiply your total CBM by 1,000, then divide by total weight in kg. Above 3, you will cube out. Below 3, you will weigh out.
For instance, let's say you have 400 cartons. Each is 0.08 CBM and weighs 12 kg. That comes to 32 CBM and 4,800 kg. A 19 feet body handles the weight easily. It cannot handle the volume. You need a 22 or 24 feet body.
For ISO containers, the numbers are fixed:
| Container | Internal (m) | Total CBM | Usable CBM | Tare | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft GP | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 33.2 | 28–30 | 2,200 kg | 28,000 kg |
| 40 ft GP | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 67.7 | 57–61 | 3,750 kg | 26,500 kg |
| 40 ft HC | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | 76.3 | 65–69 | 3,900 kg | 26,330 kg |
One caution. Those payload figures are the container's own rating. On Indian roads the loaded tractor and trailer together must still stay within the registered gross vehicle weight. The vehicle limit usually applies before the container limit does.
Truck Legal Size Limits in India 2026
Vehicle dimensions fall under Rule 93 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The current figures come from notification GSR 414(E), dated 26 June 2020.
| Limit | Figure |
|---|---|
| Maximum height, goods vehicle | 4.0 m |
| Maximum width | 2.6 m |
| Trailer length for ISO containers | 18.75 m |
| Semi-trailer carrying a container | 4.52 m overall height |
| Truck-trailer, indivisible load | 4.75 m overall height |
Cross any of these and you need an over-dimensional cargo permit.
City rules matter too. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru restrict heavy goods vehicles during working hours. A 32 ft body often cannot enter the core before late evening. That is a common reason shippers downsize to a 19 or 20 feet body for last-mile work.
What a Container Truck Costs in 2026
Three separate costs sit behind every container truck:
Chassis and body
A new truck is sold as a bare chassis. The body is built separately.
Chassis prices in the tables above run from ₹10.75 lakh to ₹47.64 lakh ex-showroom. A 32 feet container body adds roughly ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh. Mild steel with swing doors sits at the lower end. Insulated panels, aluminium sheeting and roller shutters push it higher.
On-road price
The truck on road price in India is always higher than the ex-showroom figure. Add these:
- Chassis ex-showroom price
- Body building cost
- Road tax and RTO registration
- Insurance
- Permit and fitness charges
On a 32 ft MXL, the gap between ex-showroom and on-road can cross ₹6 lakh once the body is counted. Get a written quote covering both parts before you commit.
Freight cost if you are hiring
Indicative market rates run around ₹37 to ₹41 per km for a 19 ft body, ₹41 to ₹45 for a 20 ft, and ₹55 to ₹91 for a 32 ft depending on variant.
Operators build the quote as fixed cost plus variable cost times distance, then add 10 to 20 percent margin. Loaded mileage is 3 to 5 km per litre. Maintenance and tyres run ₹2 to ₹3 per km. GST is 5 percent without input credit, or 12 percent with it. Detention is charged at ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 a day.
Resale
The 32 ft size holds value best. It is the most traded length in the used market, so it is easier to buy and easier to sell later. Shorter and longer bodies both take more time to move.
Key Takeaways
- Under 4 tonnes, look at 14 ft. Between 7 and 11 tonnes, look at 19 to 22 ft. Above 15 tonnes, you need a 32 ft MXL.
- Work out your CBM and compare it against the usable column in the chart. Volume decides more bookings than weight does.
- Check the loading dock, gate width, turning space and city entry timing. A 40 ft combination needs 55 to 61 feet of clear length to manoeuvre. Many godowns cannot take it.
