Nice to have?
Download a program donated by ECT to the SMDG members. This program allows you to type in an ISO size/type code, old or new table, and it will display the length, height and description. Download it here.

New coding
Here is the description of the new coding, which will be used from the beginning of 1996. The total number of characters is 4 (four), which can be alphanumeric. The first character depends on the length, the second character on the height and the width. The 3rd and 4th character indicate the type of unit and can be a group designation or a detailed type code designation. The list hereunder may not be complete, but this is all we have at the moment.

A. Size code

 
First size code character depends on container length:
Character Container length
mm ft in
 1  2,991  10  -
 2  6,058  20  -
 3  9,125  30  -
 4  12,192  40  -
 5  unassigned  -  -
 6  unassigned  -  -
 7  unassigned  -  -
 8  unassigned  -  -
 9  unassigned  -  -
 A  7,150  -  -
 B  7,315  24  -
 C  7,430  24  -
 D  7,450  -  6
 E  7,820  -  -
 F  8,100  -  -
 G  12,500  41  -
 H  13,106  43  -
 K  13,600  -  -
 L  13,716  45  -
 M  14,630  48  -
 N  14,935  49  -
 P  16,154  -  -
 R  unassigned  -  -


Second size code character depends on container height combined with the width:
Container width Character Container height Character for container width
mm ft in >2438mm and <2500mm >2500mm
 2,438/ 8'  0  2 438  8      
 2,438/ 8'  2  2 591  8  6  C  L
 2,438/ 8'  4  2 743  9    D  M
 2,438/ 8'  5  2 895  9  6  E  N
 2,438/ 8'  6  >2 895  9  6  F  P
 2,438/ 8'  8  1 295  4  3    
 2,438/ 8'  9  =<1 219  4      


B. Type code

The third and fourth character depends on container type and can be a group code designation or a detailed type code designation:
Code Group code Type Type code Principal characteristics
 
 G  GP  Unventilated general purpose container  G0  Openings at one or both ends
       G1  Vents in upper part of cargo space
       G2  Openings at one or both end(s), plus "full" openings at one or both sides
       G3  Openings at one or both end(s), plus "partial" openings at one or both sides
       G4  Spare
       G5  Spare
       G6  Spare
       G7  Spare
       G8  Spare
       G9  Spare
 V  VH  General purpose containers with ventilation  V0  Non-mechanical ventilation at the lower and upper parts of the cargo space
       V1  Spare
       V2  Mechanical ventilation installed in the container
       V3  Spare
       V4  Mechanical ventilation installed outside the container
       V5  Spare
       V6  Spare
       V7  Spare
       V8  Spare
       V9  Spare
 B  BU  Dry bulk containers, non-pressure-resistant  B0  Closed
       B1  Airtight
   BK  Pressurized  B2  Spare
       B3  Horizontal discharge, test pressure 150 kPa
       B4  Horizontal discharge, test pressure 265 kPa
       B5  Tipping discharge, test pressure 150 kPa
       B6  Tipping discharge, test pressure 265 kPa
       B7  Spare
       B8  Spare
       B9  Spare
 S  SN  Named cargo containers  S0  Livestock container
       S1  Automobile container
       S2  Living fish container
       S3  Spare
       S4  Spare
       S5  Spare
       S6  Spare
       S7  Spare
       S8  Spare
       S9  Spare
 R  RE  Thermal containers
- refrigerated
- refrigerated and heated
- self powered refrigerated/heated		  R0  Mechanically refrigerated
   RT    R1  Mechanically refrigerated and heated
   RS    R2  Mechanically refrigerated
       R3  Mechanically refrigerated and heated
       R4  Spare
       R5  Spare
       R6  Spare
       R7  Spare
       R8  Spare
       R9  Spare
 H  HR  Thermal containers
- refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment		  H0  Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located externally, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.4 W/(m2.K)
       H1  Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located internally
       H2  Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment located externally, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.7 W/(m2.K)
       H3  Spare
       H4  Spare
   HI    H5  Insulated, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.4 W/(m2.K)
       H6  Insulated, coefficient of heat transfer K=0.7 W/(m2.K)
       H7  Spare
       H8  Spare
       H9  Spare
 U  UT  Open-top containers  U0  Opening(s) at one or both end(s)
       U1  Opening(s) at one or both end(s) plus removable roof in end frame
       U2  Opening(s) at one of both end(s) plus opening(s) on one or both sides
       U3  Opening(s) at one or both end(s) plus opening(s) on one or both sides plus removable top members
       U4  Opening(s) at one or both end(s) plus opening(s) on one side plus full openings on the other side
       U5  Full, solid side and end walls (no doors)
       U6  Spare
       U7  Spare
       U8  Spare
       U9  Spare
 P  PL  Platform (container)
- platform based on containers with incomplete superstructure
- fixed
- folding
- platform based containers with complete superstructure		  P0  Platform
   PF    P1  Platform with two complete, fixed end walls
       P2  Platform with fixed posts, either free-standing or with removable top members
   PC    P3  Platform with folding complete end walls
       P4  Platform with folding posts, either free-standing or with removable top members
   PS    P5  Platform, open at the top and ends (skeletal)
       P6  Spare
       P7  Spare
       P8  Spare
       P9  Spare
 T  TN  Tank container for non-dangerous liquids  T0  Minimum pressure 45 kPa
       T1  Minimum pressure 150 kPa
       T2  Minimum pressure 265 kPa
   TD  Tank container for dangerous liquids  T3  Minimum pressure 150 kPa
       T4  Minimum pressure 265 kPa
       T5  Minimum pressure 400 kPa
       T6  Minimum pressure 600 kPa
   TG  Tank container for gases  T7  Minimum pressure 910 kPa
       T8  Minimum pressure 2 200 kPa
       T9  Minimum pressure (yet to be assigned)
 A  AS  Air/surface containers  A0  


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