Does researching shipping container sizes slow down your export plans? Many SMEs compare options manually without realising there’s a faster, smarter way. At ParcelParcel, we simplify international shipping by handling complex customs procedures and paperwork, so you save time and keep control over your shipments. While we don’t ship full containers (FCL), this quick guide clarifies container basics and shows why shipping pallets with ParcelParcel is often the more flexible, cost-efficient choice.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
Even if you don’t plan to book a container, understanding the basics helps you plan volume, packaging and budgets.
20ft container (Dry): internal length ~5.9 m (19’4”), width ~2.35 m (7’9”), height ~2.39 m (7’10”); ~33 m³.
40ft container (Dry): internal length ~12.03 m (39’6”), width ~2.35 m, height ~2.39 m; ~67 m³.
40ft High Cube: same footprint as 40ft but higher; internal height ~2.69 m (8’10”); ~76 m³.
If your cargo won’t fill these volumes, a full container can tie up capital and add complexity. That’s where pallet shipping shines.
Full Container Load (FCL) is great for huge shipments, but it’s not always the smartest route for SMEs:
Cost efficiency: You avoid paying for unused space inside a 20ft or 40ft box.
Speed & simplicity: Courier-based pallet services often move faster door-to-door than ocean FCL (especially for time-sensitive B2B).
Flexibility: Ship one pallet this week and three next week, scale with demand.
Lower admin burden: We manage labels, paperwork and customs so you can focus on your business.
ParcelParcel compares live rates across leading couriers: DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet, so you can book the right pallet service in minutes, without contracts or subscriptions.
Euro pallet (EUR/EPAL): 120 × 80 cm
Industrial pallet: 120 × 100 cm
Typical height range: up to 180–220 cm (service-dependent)
Typical weight range: up to several hundred kilos per pallet (service-dependent)
Tip: use sturdy boxes, even stacking, and wrap tightly for stability. Our packaging guidelines by carrier help you get it right the first time.
Couriers price bulky pallets by volumetric weight if it exceeds actual weight. Use our calculator to estimate costs before booking. Small change in height can mean big savings, our team will advise the optimal pack height per lane and carrier.
Exporting outside the EU? We help you prepare commercial invoices, HS codes and EORI details so your pallets clear smoothly. Our specialists double-check documentation to prevent delays and surprise charges.
ParcelParcel automatically compares the best couriers, with no contracts or subscriptions. Book directly and save both time and money.
Choose pallets when:
You don’t fill a full 20ft/40ft container.
You need faster door-to-door transit or frequent smaller dispatches.
You want a single partner to compare couriers and handle customs.
Consider containers when:
You consistently ship large, dense volumes that fully utilise a 20ft/40ft or 40HC.
You have long lead times and stable schedules (e.g., sea freight planning months ahead).
Remember: ParcelParcel does not ship full containers. We specialise in parcels and pallets, and we’re often the smarter bridge between speed, price and simplicity.
Shipping Calculator: see live pallet rates, compare services and transit times in seconds.
Customs & HS Code Help: avoid clearance issues with expert guidance for non-EU shipments.
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The most common are 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube. A 20ft is ~5.9 m long; a 40ft is ~12.03 m long; High Cube adds extra height. ParcelParcel does not ship full containers, we focus on parcels and pallets, which are often quicker and more cost-effective for SMEs.
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If you won’t fill a 20ft/40ft, pallets typically cost less, move faster door-to-door and are easier to schedule. With ParcelParcel you compare DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet in one place and book instantly.
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Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm) and industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm) are standard. Max height and weight depend on service and destination; our calculator shows what’s allowed and our team advises the best configuration to minimise cost and risk.
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You’ll need a commercial invoice, accurate HS codes and (for businesses) an EORI number. ParcelParcel prepares the paperwork with you and coordinates with the courier so your pallet clears customs smoothly.
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Prices depend on route, weight, dimensions and service level. Use the ParcelParcel Shipping Calculator for instant quotes across multiple couriers. We’ll highlight the best balance of transit time, reliability and price, and you can book in minutes.
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You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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