Very roughly, a 20 ft container holds about 12 to 18 tonnes of cumin or fennel in 25 kg or 50 kg bags. A 40 ft container holds about double the volume, but the total is still capped by the shipping line's weight limit and road rules.
Fennel is bulkier than cumin, so it often loads towards the lower end. The only reliable figure is the supplier's last actual loading of the same product and pack.
Why seed spices fill space before weight
Dense goods such as sesame and pulses usually reach the container's weight limit before they fill it. Cumin and fennel are lighter for their volume, so the container fills up first. That is why their loads are lower than for grains or oilseeds.
Our general guide to how much fits in a 20 ft and a 40 ft container compares other agri products.
What changes the load
- Product: fennel is bulkier than cumin. Grade and seed size also change the bulk density.
- Bag size: 25 kg bags stack differently from 50 kg bags.
- Bag type: paper bags, PP bags and jute bags fill space in different ways.
- Pressing: some processors use pressed or compacted bags to fit more.
- Pallets: palletised loads carry less product than floor-loaded bags, because pallets and gaps take space.
- Weight limits: shipping line, port and road limits at both ends.
20 ft or 40 ft
A 40 ft container gives roughly twice the space of a 20 ft but is not always twice the price, so it can lower the freight cost per tonne for bulky goods. It also means a larger order and more stock to finance and store.
Check the weight limits on your side too. Road rules for trucks leaving the destination port can cap a 40 ft load well below what the container itself can carry.
- First order or test market: a 20 ft is usually easier to manage.
- Regular volume: a 40 ft can work out cheaper per tonne.
- Mixed products: some suppliers can load cumin, fennel and other seed spices in one container. See whether you can buy less than a full container.
Get the number in writing
- Ask for the last actual loading of the same product, grade and pack.
- Put the planned net weight and number of bags in the proforma invoice.
- Agree a tolerance on quantity in the contract.
- Check the packing list and weighbridge slip after loading.
- Compare the shipped weight with the invoice before you pay the balance.
How we help
We confirm the planned load with the processor before booking freight, and our inspectors count bags and check weights while the container is loaded. To plan the right container size for your cumin or fennel, ask for a free sourcing review.