Container Shipping from Iran: FCL, LCL and Container Sizes
Container shipping from Iran for importers and exporters: how a container move works, 20', 40' and 40' HC dimensions, FCL versus LCL, freight surcharges and choosing between Bandar Abbas, Chabahar and other Iranian ports.
Container shipping from Iran is the movement of export or import cargo in a standard steel container that is loaded and sealed at origin and carried by ship, train and truck without being opened on the way. Most international trade moves this way because the container protects the goods from weather and theft, reduces handling and standardises the transfer between modes.
This guide explains how a container move works, the dimensions of 20', 40' and 40' HC containers, special types such as reefer and open top, the choice between FCL and LCL, the cost items behind the freight rate and the port decision for cargo leaving Iran.
How container shipping from Iran works
A container shipment starts with a booking on a shipping line and ends when the empty container is returned to the line at destination. The steps in between are:
- Booking: the freight forwarder or the line reserves space by port of loading, vessel date and container type.
- Empty pick-up: the container is collected from the port depot by truck and taken to the shipper's premises.
- Loading and sealing: the cargo is stowed, weight is balanced, the doors are sealed and the seal number is written on every document.
- Port delivery and customs: the container enters the port before the vessel cut-off and the export declaration is cleared with Iranian customs, normally through a customs broker arranged by your supplier or forwarder.
- Ocean leg: the container is loaded on the vessel; the bill of lading (B/L) documents the contract of carriage.
- Arrival and delivery: the importer clears customs, the container is trucked to the warehouse, unloaded and returned empty.
The container stays the same unit in chains that combine sea, rail and road, so intermodal transport is possible without repacking the goods.
Container types and sizes
Standard dry containers are built to ISO dimensions, so they are handled with the same equipment in every port in the world. The table shows approximate values for the three most common types. Payload depends on the tare weight of the container and on road weight limits in each country; the plate on the container gives the exact figure.
| Container type | External dimensions (L x W x H) | Internal volume | Approximate payload | Suitable cargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft (20' DC) | About 6.06 m x 2.44 m x 2.59 m | About 33 m³ | About 21-28 t, 10-11 euro pallets | Heavy, dense cargo: natural stone, ceramic tiles, cement, steel, polymer granules |
| 40 ft (40' DC) | About 12.19 m x 2.44 m x 2.59 m | About 67 m³ | About 26-28 t, 24-25 euro pallets | Bulky cargo: carpets, packaged dried fruit, furniture, consumer goods |
| 40 ft High Cube (40' HC) | About 12.19 m x 2.44 m x 2.90 m | About 76 m³ | About 26-28 t, 24-25 euro pallets | Light but voluminous cargo: appliances, plastics, packaging |
As a rule of thumb, if your cargo hits the weight limit before the volume limit, choose a 20'; if it hits the volume limit first, choose a 40' or 40' HC. Because a full 20' can exceed road weight limits during inland haulage, the loading plan should also be checked against truck axle limits.
Special container types
- Reefer container: has its own cooling unit with temperature and humidity control; used for fresh produce, dates, meat, dairy and pharmaceuticals. Pre-cooling and temperature logging should be written into the contract.
- Open top: closed with a tarpaulin; for machinery taller than standard, stone blocks and cargo loaded from above by crane.
- Flat rack: a platform without side walls; for out-of-gauge, wide or very heavy pieces.
- Tank container: for bulk liquids such as chemicals, edible oil and beverages.
FCL or LCL?
The second big decision in container shipping from Iran is whether to use the whole container or part of one. The choice directly affects cost, transit time and damage risk.
- FCL (Full Container Load): the container is reserved for your cargo alone; it does not have to be completely full. It is loaded and sealed at the shipper's site and opened at the consignee. Freight is paid per container and, with little handling, the damage risk is low.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): cargo from different shippers is loaded into the same container at a consolidation warehouse (CFS). The price is calculated per cubic metre or tonne; it is economical for small lots, but the work at the consolidation and deconsolidation hubs extends the transit.
The general tendency is for FCL to become the better option once the cargo exceeds about 15 m³; for fragile or high-value goods the threshold can be lower. Regular, high-volume exports favour FCL, while trial orders and samples naturally go LCL.
Ocean freight and the surcharges behind it
The freight rate on a quote is only part of the total cost. The items to clarify line by line in a container shipment are:
- Ocean freight: port-to-port carriage; it depends on season, supply and demand and currency.
- THC (terminal handling charge): lifting the container on and off the vessel at origin and destination.
- BAF and CAF: surcharges reflecting fuel and currency movements.
- Document fees: bill of lading issuance, manifest and arrival notice charges.
- Demurrage and detention: daily charges when the container overstays its free time at the port or at the consignee.
- Inland haulage: collecting the empty container, hauling it to the site and delivering the full container to the port.
Having the number of free days and the waiting charges written into the contract prevents surprise invoices.
Container shipping from Iran: ports and routes
Iranian containers are mostly shipped from Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, the country's largest container port on the Strait of Hormuz, which stands out with a wide network of services and frequent departures. Chabahar, an ocean port on the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz, is considered for links with India, Afghanistan and Central Asia, while Bushehr and Bandar Imam Khomeini are options depending on cargo type and service. The decision rests on transit time, empty container availability and total cost including inland haulage. If you are choosing a partner on the Iranian side, our guide to a logistics company in Iran lists what to check.
On long-haul routes the container is the most common choice. For polymers, natural stone and food bound for China, the mode and time comparison is in our article on shipping from Iran to China; for import cargo in the other direction, the FCL/LCL decision and customs steps are covered in shipping from China to Iran.
Insurance and liability
The carrier's liability under the bill of lading is limited and does not cover the real value of the cargo. Separate cargo insurance should be taken out for the full value; loading photos and the seal record are the key evidence in any claim.
Document, customs and weight-limit practices should be confirmed against current regulations and destination-country rules; payment and documentation requirements are reviewed per shipment.
Customs procedures change over time; confirm the current requirements with the Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) and with your forwarder before you book.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a 20 ft container?
About 10-11 euro pallets in a single tier; a 40 ft container takes about 24-25 euro pallets. The number changes with pallet size and stacking height.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
In FCL the container is entirely yours and freight is paid per container; in LCL your cargo shares a container with other shippers and the price is based on volume. FCL is faster and safer, LCL is more economical for small lots.
How long does container shipping from Iran take?
It depends on the route: Bandar Abbas to Jebel Ali by sea takes approx. 1-2 days, while Chinese ports take several weeks depending on the service and transhipment. Transhipment services and waiting at the port extend the time.
Which products need a reefer container?
Fresh fruit and vegetables, dates, meat, dairy, pharmaceuticals and temperature-sensitive chemicals. Pre-cooling, the temperature range and the ventilation setting should be agreed in writing before loading.
Royan Logistic, a Tehran-based international freight and logistics company, plans road, sea and rail transport and works through the FCL/LCL decision, container type and port choice with you according to your cargo. Reach us through the quote form.
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