The number of 600x1200 tiles per container depends on weight, not volume. A 20 ft container reaches its payload limit with tiles long before it is full, and a 40 ft or high-cube container adds space you cannot use, so it rarely carries much more tile than a 20 ft.
The figures below are illustrative. Ask the factory for the exact count based on its thickness, carton weight and the shipping line's limit.
How do you work out the load?
Start with the area of one tile: 0.6 m by 1.2 m is 0.72 square metres. Then work out the weight, which comes from thickness and body density. A porcelain tile of around 9 to 10 mm weighs roughly 21 to 24 kg per square metre before packing, and the carton, pallet and wrap add more.
Divide the payload by the packed weight per square metre. The result is the square metres you can load. Divide again by 0.72 for tiles, then by tiles per box for boxes. For the box counts per size, see tiles per box by size.
Why is a 40 ft not much better?
A tile container is full by weight at roughly the same cargo mass whatever its length. The extra space in a 40 ft or high-cube cannot be filled without breaching the weight limit. The guide to why tile containers are not full to the roof explains the effect.
In India there is another limit. Trucks carrying containers from the factory to the port must stay within road weight rules, and ports and lines set their own limits. Ask the forwarder what applies on your route. The guide to the weight limit per container for tiles covers the details.
What do the three container types change?
The main differences are as follows:
- A 20 ft container is the normal choice for tiles, because the cargo reaches the weight limit and the shorter box is easier to truck and handle.
- A 40 ft container has twice the floor length but a similar usable payload for tiles, so you pay for space you cannot fill. It can suit light wall tiles or mixed loads.
- A high-cube container is taller, which helps bulky cargo but gives no benefit for dense tiles.
What changes the number?
Several details move the final count by a visible margin:
- Thickness: a thicker tile weighs more per square metre, so fewer fit.
- Packing: heavy cartons and pallets reduce the tile weight you can carry.
- Pallets or loose loading: pallets add weight but protect the cargo. See pallets or loose loading for tiles.
- The shipping line and route limit on gross weight.
What should you ask the factory?
Ask for a written loading plan that shows boxes, pallets, square metres and gross weight for the container type you will use. Compare it with the size guide in square metres of tiles in a 20 ft container. If the plan differs from the usual range, ask why.
Next step
We check the loading plan against weight limits and supervise loading. To plan a container, book a free sourcing review.