For tiles from Morbi, the usual working cargo limit in a 20 ft container is around 26 to 28 tonnes, depending on the shipping line and route. Some routes accept less, because of road limits at the destination.
This article is about planning your order within that limit, size by size. The full explanation of container ratings, line limits and road rules is in the maximum payload for a tile container.
Why tiles hit the limit first
Tiles are dense. A 20 ft container reaches its weight limit when it is still well short of full. That is why a loaded tile container looks half empty, and why freight is planned by tonnes rather than cubic metres.
The practical result is that heavier tiles cost more to ship per square metre. Thicker and larger tiles use up the limit faster than thin wall tiles.
Planning by size
Ask the factory for the box weight and square metres per box for each size. Then plan with these rules:
- Thin ceramic wall tiles are light, so a container of them carries many more square metres than a floor tile load.
- Standard 600x600 vitrified floor tiles are the reference load most factories quote.
- Thicker or larger formats such as 800x800 and 600x1200 often weigh more per square metre, so the container holds fewer square metres.
- Slabs need crates or A-frames, which add weight and reduce the tile load further.
- Outdoor pavers around 20 mm thick are very heavy, so a container holds far fewer square metres.
The worked method is in how many square metres fit in a 20 ft container.
Mixed containers
When you mix sizes in one container, add the weight of each design separately. A mix of heavy floor tiles and light wall tiles can make good use of the limit. Mixing also has practical limits on loading order and shade control, covered in mixing sizes and designs in one container.
Load heavy pallets low and spread evenly across the floor of the container. Weight should be balanced front to back, so the container can be lifted and carried safely.
Do not overload
Overloading is a real risk. Under the SOLAS rules, the shipper must declare a verified gross mass for each packed container before it is loaded on a ship. A container over the declared weight or over the line's limit can be held at the port, re-weighed or refused.
Overweight containers can also be stopped on the road at destination. Fines, delays and the cost of moving cargo to another container fall on the importer in many contracts. Agree the weight limit in writing before production, so the factory plans the order to it.
Next step
We check the loading plan against your line's limit before production and supervise loading to that plan. To plan sizes and designs for your first container, book a free sourcing review.