If your cargo is light but bulky, a standard container may run out of height before it runs out of weight. That is the problem a high cube container is made to solve. It gives you extra height inside the same footprint, so tall cartons, stacked goods and light machinery fit without forcing the load.
This guide explains how to hire a high cube container in Dhaka, step by step: what it is, how it differs from a standard container, what it suits, the hiring process, Dhaka delivery checks, documents, inspection, transport from Chittagong Port, and cost factors. No fixed prices are listed here. A rate is confirmed at booking, depending on size, type, condition, duration, delivery location and availability.
What Is a High Cube Container?
A high cube container is taller than a standard container. Length and width are generally the same, but the extra height gives more internal volume, useful when cargo is bulky rather than heavy.
A standard container is generally around 2.6 metres high on the outside, and a high cube is generally around 2.9 metres high. That difference of about 0.3 metres — roughly one foot — adds a useful amount of space across the full length and width. For cartons stacked high and light goods that fill the space before they reach the weight limit, that extra height can be the difference between one container and two.
High cube containers come in the same sizes as standard containers, most commonly 20ft, about 6 metres long, and 40ft, about 12 metres long, with a width of generally around 2.4 metres. The doors and handling points are the same, so a high cube can be lifted, stacked and moved in the same way. The only practical difference is the extra height, and the need to check that the site and route can take a taller unit.
High Cube vs Standard: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Standard container | High cube container |
|---|---|---|
| Outside height | Around 2.6 metres | Around 2.9 metres |
| Extra height | None | About 0.3 metres, roughly one foot, taller |
| Length | 20ft about 6 metres, 40ft about 12 metres | Same lengths, 20ft and 40ft |
| Width | Around 2.4 metres | Around 2.4 metres, the same |
| Internal volume | Standard volume for the size | More volume, because of the extra height |
| Best for | General cargo, dense and heavy loads | Light, bulky cargo that needs height |
| Door height | Standard door height | Taller doors, easier to load tall items |
| Site check | Standard height clearance needed | Check gate, roof, wires and warehouse height for the taller unit |
| Availability | Most common, widely available | Available in general, but confirm early, as stock varies |
Choose by the cargo, not by the name. If your cargo is heavy and dense, a standard container may be enough, because the weight limit will be reached before height becomes a problem. If your cargo is light and bulky, a high cube may be better, because the extra height lets you use the full space. Measure your cargo first: the height of the tallest item, how high you can safely stack it, and how much space you need in total.
What Is a High Cube Container Good For?
A high cube suits cargo that is light for its size. Garments in cartons are a common example in Bangladesh: cartons of shirts, trousers and knitwear are light and stack well, so the extra height lets you load more in one container. Furniture is another example, along with light machinery, plastic goods, foam products, mattresses and household goods — all fill the space before they reach the weight limit.
A high cube also suits tall cargo: a tall machine, a long item stood on end, or a product that cannot be laid flat may need the extra door height as well as the extra internal height. For storage at a Dhaka site, a high cube gives more usable space in the same footprint. Place it on a firm, level, dry surface and check the doors and locks.
When a High Cube Is Not the Right Choice
A high cube is not the best choice for every load. If your cargo is heavy and dense, such as metal parts, stone or tiles, you will reach the weight limit before you use the extra height, so a standard container may be the fairer choice.
A high cube is also not the right choice if the site cannot take a taller unit. A low gate, a low roof, overhead wires, a low bridge on the route, or a warehouse with a low ceiling can all make delivery difficult. Measure the tightest clearance point on the route and at the site before you confirm. If the site has a low gate, a standard container may fit where a high cube cannot. High cubes are available in general, but they are less common than standard containers, so stock can vary. If you need one for a specific date, enquire early and confirm the size and type in writing.
How to Hire a High Cube Container in Dhaka, Step by Step
Hiring a high cube follows the same steps as hiring a standard container, with a few extra checks for the height.
Step 1: Write down your requirement. Note the cargo, its rough volume and weight, the tallest item, the delivery location in Dhaka, the date you need the container, and how long you need it. Ask for advice if you are unsure about the size.
Step 2: Choose the size — 20ft or 40ft high cube. A 20ft high cube is compact and easier to place in a smaller yard. A 40ft high cube holds roughly twice the volume in general terms. Do not choose by length alone: a 20ft can suit dense, heavy cargo, while a 40ft can suit bulky, light cargo.
Step 3: Ask for a written quotation. Ask for the size and type, the rental or lease period, the charge, the delivery charge, the deposit, the payment terms, and what is included and what is not included. A rate is confirmed at booking, depending on size, type, condition, duration, delivery location and availability, so ask for it in writing.
Step 4: Check the delivery site before you confirm. Measure the approach road, the gate height and width, the turning space, the placement area and the warehouse height. A high cube needs more height clearance than a standard container, so check the tightest clearance point on the route and at the site.
Step 5: Confirm and book. Once you agree on size, type, duration, delivery date, address and a contact person, confirm the booking. Make sure someone will be at the site to receive the container. Book early, as availability changes with shipping demand.
Step 6: Inspect on delivery. Check the doors, seals, roof, walls and floor before you sign, as explained in the inspection section below. Take photos inside and outside, note the container number, and raise any problem at once.
Step 7: Load carefully and return as agreed. Put heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top, distribute the weight evenly, use pallets where suitable, and secure the load so it does not move. When the hire ends, arrange collection, make sure the container is empty and clean as agreed, and confirm in writing that the hire is closed.
Dhaka Delivery and Site Checks
Dhaka delivery needs more care than delivery near the port, because the roads are busier, the sites are tighter, and the height matters more.
First, check the road. A truck carrying a high cube needs a road wide enough for the truck, with enough height clearance under any bridge, flyover, sign or overhead wire on the route. Share the full delivery address, not only the area, and ask the driver or the supplier to confirm the route. A narrow lane, a sharp turn, or a low overhead cable can stop a delivery.
Second, check the gate. Measure the gate height and width, and the height of any roof or canopy over the entrance. A gate that fits a standard unit may not fit a high cube, and if the gate is too low the container may need to be placed outside and the cargo carried in.
Third, check the placement area and the warehouse. A 40ft high cube needs a longer approach and more space to set down than a 20ft high cube. The ground should be firm, level and dry, with enough space for the truck to turn and for the doors to open fully. If the container will be loaded inside a warehouse, check the internal height and the warehouse door height as well.
Documents to Keep Ready
Keep the basic documents ready so the process does not stop. For a business hire, keep a copy of your trade licence or business registration, the delivery address in full, and the receiver’s contact details. For an import, keep the bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list ready. For an export, keep the export documents ready. Keep a hire note with the size, type, period, delivery date, location and cost, plus the container and seal number if used. If customs clearance is involved, your clearing and forwarding agent normally handles it, so share the container details with your agent in good time.
Inspection Checklist Before You Accept a Container
Check these points on delivery, and note anything wrong before you sign. First, the doors: open and close them, check the locking rods, handles and seals, and look for gaps. The taller doors should open and close smoothly. Second, the roof and walls: look for holes, dents, rust and daylight coming through. Third, the floor: check for broken boards, soft spots, stains and a strong smell. Fourth, the inside: check for water marks and previous cargo residue. Note the container number, take photos inside and outside, and if you find a problem that affects the cargo, raise it at once and ask for a replacement unit.
When loading, put heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top, distribute the weight evenly, and secure the load so it does not move. Count the cargo as you load it, keep a packing list, and note the seal number. For tall cargo, use straps or bracing so it cannot fall during transport.
Chittagong Port to Dhaka: How the Container Reaches You
Most containers for Dhaka start at Chittagong Port, the main seaport for Bangladesh’s import and export cargo. For an import, the vessel arrives, the container is discharged, customs clearance is completed by your clearing and forwarding agent, and after clearance the container can be released for delivery to your warehouse or yard in Dhaka. For an export, the container is loaded at your factory or warehouse in Dhaka, sealed, sent to the port, and loaded on the vessel. Confirm the vessel cut-off time with your agent and plan transport so you do not miss it.
Delivery from the port to Dhaka is normally by road, and the distance and the road affect the total cost and the timing. A high cube is taller, so the truck and the route must suit the extra height. Confirm the delivery cost and timing for your full address, and whether the delivery charge is included or separate. Allow extra time for Dhaka traffic, and share the receiver’s contact details so the driver can call on arrival. For an export from Dhaka, start loading early, because filling a taller container takes longer.
What Affects the Hire Cost?
No fixed price is given here, because the hire cost depends on several factors. Size matters: a 40ft high cube normally costs more than a 20ft high cube. Type matters: a high cube normally costs more than a standard container of the same size, because it is a specialist unit. Duration matters: a short hire for a few days or weeks is priced differently from a longer hire for several months. Condition matters: a container in good, clean and inspected condition is worth more than a unit with damage or wear. Delivery location matters: delivery to Dhaka differs from delivery near Chittagong Port, because the distance, the road, the time and the truck size all change. Availability matters too: when many importers need containers at the same time, availability at the port can change.
Always compare the total cost, including delivery and any deposit, and confirm it in writing before you book. A rate is confirmed at booking, depending on size, type, condition, duration, delivery location and availability. Do not compare two quotations unless they cover the same size, type, period and delivery location.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is booking the wrong size or type. A standard container may not fit tall, bulky cargo, and a high cube is wasted on heavy, dense cargo. Measure the cargo first, and ask for advice if you are unsure.
The second mistake is not measuring the site. A high cube that cannot pass the gate, fit under the roof, or turn in the yard cannot be delivered as planned. Measure the gate, the road and the warehouse height before you confirm.
The third mistake is loading without inspection. A container with a leaking roof, a damaged floor or doors that do not seal can damage the cargo. Inspect on delivery, take photos, and raise any problem at once. The fourth mistake is keeping a container beyond the agreed period without notice, because extra days are normally charged. Inform the supplier before the period ends and ask for an extension in writing. The fifth mistake is comparing quotations that cover different things: one may include delivery to Dhaka, while another covers only the container at the port. Compare the total cost for the same size, type, period and delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a high cube container?
A high cube container is taller than a standard container, generally around 2.9 metres high on the outside against around 2.6 metres for a standard container, with the same length and width.
2. How much taller is a high cube than a standard container?
About 0.3 metres, roughly one foot, taller on the outside. That extra height gives more internal volume across the full length and width.
3. What sizes do high cube containers come in?
Most commonly 20ft, about 6 metres long, and 40ft, about 12 metres long. The width is generally around 2.4 metres for both.
4. What cargo suits a high cube container?
Light, bulky cargo such as garments in cartons, furniture, plastic goods, foam products and light machinery, and tall items that cannot be laid flat.
5. When should I not use a high cube container?
When the cargo is heavy and dense, so the weight limit is reached before the height is used, or when the site or route cannot take a taller unit.
6. Is a high cube container more expensive than a standard container?
A high cube normally costs more than a standard container of the same size. Confirm the rate in writing at booking.
7. Can a high cube container be delivered to Dhaka?
Yes, delivery by road is normally possible. Confirm the delivery cost and timing for your full address, and check the gate, road and warehouse height first.
8. How do I hire a high cube container in Dhaka?
Write down your requirement, choose 20ft or 40ft, ask for a written quotation, check the delivery site, confirm and book, then inspect on delivery.
9. What documents do I need to hire a high cube container?
Keep your trade licence, delivery address, contact details and shipping documents ready, as explained above.
10. How do I check a high cube container before accepting it?
Check the doors, seals, roof, walls and floor, look for leaks and damage, and take photos inside and outside.
11. Can I use a high cube container for storage in Dhaka?
Yes, a high cube can be used for storage if that is agreed in the hire terms. Place it on a firm, level surface and check the doors and locks.
12. What happens if the container does not fit through my gate?
Raise it before you book. Measure the gate height and width first, and ask the supplier to confirm the route and the placement area.
13. What affects the hire cost of a high cube container?
Size, type, condition, duration, delivery location and availability. A rate is confirmed at booking.
14. Is there a deposit for hiring a high cube container?
It depends on the terms. Ask about any deposit, when it is paid, and how it is settled before you book.
15. How do I arrange a high cube container hire with Total Import Solution?
Contact Total Import Solution by WhatsApp or email with your size, type, cargo, delivery location in Dhaka, dates and hire duration.
Total Import Solution — Contact Us
Total Import Solution, since 2016, provides sourcing and import support for businesses in Bangladesh, including high cube container hiring enquiries for Dhaka, connected to shipments through Chittagong Port. For availability and a rate for your requirement, contact us:
- WhatsApp: +8801977954302
- Email: info@totalimportsolution.com
- Website: totalimportsolution.com
