How Much Green Coffee Fits in a 20-Foot Container?
Published June 2026 · By Willkin Green Coffee (PT Global Wills Sejahtera)
One of the most practical questions importers ask is: how many kilograms of green coffee can I fit in a standard container, and what does that cost to ship? This article gives precise capacity figures for 20-ft and 40-ft containers, explains the bag configurations used, and covers what affects actual loadable weight.
Standard Container Dimensions
Attribute
20-ft Standard (TEU)
40-ft Standard (FEU)
40-ft High Cube
Internal length
5.90m
12.03m
12.03m
Internal width
2.35m
2.35m
2.35m
Internal height
2.39m
2.39m
2.69m
Usable volume
~33 m³
~67 m³
~76 m³
Max payload (weight)
~28,200 kg
~27,400 kg
~27,400 kg
Green Coffee Capacity by Bag Type
Bag Type
Bag Weight
Bags in 20-ft
Total Weight (20-ft)
Bags in 40-ft
Total Weight (40-ft)
Standard jute bag
60 kg
275–290 bags
16.5–17.4 MT
550–600 bags
33–36 MT
GrainPro bag (in jute)
60 kg
275–290 bags
16.5–17.4 MT
550–600 bags
33–36 MT
Bulk bag (supersack)
500–1,000 kg
30–35 bags
15–17 MT
60–68 bags
30–34 MT
Vacuum-packed small bag
5–10 kg
Up to ~1,700 bags
~17 MT
Up to ~3,600 bags
~36 MT
Standard Indonesian export configuration: 60kg jute bags with GrainPro inner liner. A 20-ft container typically loads 275 bags = 16,500 kg (16.5 MT). Actual loadable weight varies slightly by stacking configuration and tare weight of bags.
Why 20-ft vs 40-ft?
Factor
20-ft Container
40-ft Container
Typical green coffee load
16–18 MT
24–26 MT (standard) / 33–36 MT (HC)
Ocean freight cost
~60–70% of 40-ft rate
Baseline rate
Cost per kg (freight)
~15–20% higher per kg
Lower per-kg cost
Suitable order size
15–18 MT
24+ MT
Minimum commercial viability
1 MT (LCL/groupage possible)
24 MT (FCL)
Use case
Trial orders, small importers, mixed lots
Volume buyers, established repeat orders
Pallet vs Floor-Loaded
Green coffee in 60kg jute bags is almost always floor-loaded (no pallets) in Indonesia. This maximizes loadable weight and volume. Pallets are used in some EU-destined containers where forklift unloading is required at the warehouse, but this reduces capacity by ~5–10%.
Loading Method
Bags in 20-ft
Total Weight
Notes
Floor loaded (stacked)
275–290 bags
16.5–17.4 MT
Standard for Indonesia export
Palletized (EUR pallet)
~240–260 bags
14.4–15.6 MT
Reduces capacity ~8–10%
LCL (Less than Container Load) Option
For buyers not ready for a full container, LCL groupage is available. The importer pays for the space their cargo occupies (measured in CBM or weight), and the goods are consolidated with other shippers' cargo at the origin port. LCL is viable for trial orders of 100–500 kg but has a higher per-kg freight cost and longer handling time at destination.
Order Size
Shipping Mode
Approx. Freight Note
300g–10 kg
International courier (DHL/FedEx)
Sample; expedited
10–500 kg
Air freight or LCL
Higher per-kg cost
500 kg–5 MT
LCL (sea groupage)
Economical; 30–40 day transit
5–17 MT
FCL 20-ft
Most efficient for mid-volume
17–36 MT
FCL 40-ft
Best per-kg rate
Willkin MOQ: Sample (300–500g via courier), trial order from 100 kg, FCL from 1 container (20-ft = ~16.5 MT). Contact [email protected] for freight-included CIF quotes on your destination port.