A 20ft container holds about 19.0 tonnes of coconut shisha charcoal (≈ 950 × 20 kg cartons); a 40ft holds about 25.5 tonnes. Because the charcoal is dense, every standard container reaches its weight limit before it runs out of space — so payload is capped by tonnes, not cubic metres.
A 20ft container holds approximately 19.0 tonnes of coconut shisha charcoal, or about 950 × 20 kg master cartons (verified 2026-06).
A 40ft container holds approximately 25.5 tonnes of coconut shisha charcoal (verified 2026-06).
Because coconut shisha charcoal is dense, all standard containers reach their weight limit before their volume limit (verified 2026-06).
| Container | Net charcoal | 20 kg cartons | Limited by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 19.0 t | 950 | weight |
| 40ft Standard | 25.5 t | 1,275 | weight |
| 40ft High Cube | 26.0 t | 1,300 | weight |
Full load matrix by carton and container
| Master carton | 20ft Standard | 40ft Standard | 40ft High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1kg (1 kg) | 19,000 / 19.0 t | 25,500 / 25.5 t | 26,000 / 26.0 t |
| 10kg (10 kg) | 1,900 / 19.0 t | 2,550 / 25.5 t | 2,600 / 26.0 t |
| 20kg (20 kg) | 950 / 19.0 t | 1,275 / 25.5 t | 1,300 / 26.0 t |
| 24kg (24 kg) | 791 / 19.0 t | 1,062 / 25.5 t | 1,083 / 26.0 t |
Cells show cartons that fit / resulting net tonnes. Packing assumes ≥30 cm headspace and ≤40°C packing per IMDG Amendment 42-24, Special Provision 978 (UN 1361, Class 4.2).
How this is calculated
Two limits are computed and the smaller wins. The weight limit is the container's maximum net payload divided by carton net weight; the volume limit is usable container volume (CBM × 88% packing efficiency) divided by carton volume. For coconut charcoal the weight limit is almost always the binding one, which is why load is quoted in tonnes.
Payloads shown use a practical net charcoal weight after the ≥30 cm headspace and ≤40°C packing required for UN 1361 (Class 4.2) under IMDG Special Provision 978. Carton dimensions here are illustrative — replace them with your real packaging for exact carton counts.
Frequently asked questions
How many tonnes of shisha charcoal fit in a 20ft container?
About 19.0 tonnes of coconut shisha charcoal in a 20ft container, and about 25.5 tonnes in a 40ft — the load is weight-limited, not volume-limited.
How many boxes of coconut charcoal fit in a container?
Roughly 950 × 20 kg cartons in a 20ft and 1,275 in a 40ft. Smaller cartons raise the box count but the total tonnage stays about the same.
Why is charcoal weight-limited and not volume-limited?
Coconut charcoal cubes are dense, so a container hits its maximum payload weight while space is still left over. That is the opposite of light, bulky cargo, which fills the volume first.
Estimate your own container load
Pick a carton size and container to see the load for your packaging.
Last verified 2026-06. Figures are illustrative industry ranges, not quotes — verify before relying on them. Freight and the US–Indonesia tariff change most often.
