What does an ISO 6346 size and type code look like?

It is four characters, for example 22G1. The first character is the length, the second is the height and width, the third is a letter for the container type, and the fourth is a numeric subtype. It is shown on the container alongside the owner code and check digit.

What does the code 22G1 mean?

22G1 is a 20-foot, standard-height general-purpose dry box. The first 2 means 20 feet long, the second 2 means 8 feet 6 inches high, G means general purpose with no ventilation, and the 1 is the standard subtype. It is the most common container type in service.

How do I tell a high-cube container from the code?

Look at the second character. A digit of 5 means a height of 9 feet 6 inches, which is a high-cube container, while 2 means the standard 8 feet 6 inches. So 45G1 is a 40-foot high-cube dry box and 42G1 is a 40-foot standard-height one.

What is the difference between the size code and the BIC owner code?

The size and type code is the four-character group describing the box's dimensions and type. The BIC owner code is a separate 11-character identifier: four letters for the owner and category, six serial digits, and a check digit. They appear together but encode different things.

Which type letter is a refrigerated container?

The letter R in the third position marks a refrigerated container, or reefer. R0 and R1 are integral reefers with their own refrigeration unit, while R2 and R3 are insulated boxes served by an external clip-on plant. So 45R1 is a 40-foot high-cube integral reefer.

ISO 6346 Container Type Code Reference

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Decoding the container size and type code

Every ISO shipping container carries a four-character size-and-type code defined by ISO 6346, such as 22G1 or 45R1. It tells you the box’s length, its height and width, and what kind of container it is. This tool splits a code into those parts and lists the type groups and the common full codes you will meet on bills of lading and container interchange reports.

How it works

The four positions are read independently:

position 1 : length   (2 = 20 ft, 4 = 40 ft, L = 45 ft)
position 2 : height/width (2 = 8'6", 5 = 9'6" high-cube)
position 3 : type letter  (G general, R reefer, U open-top, P flat-rack, T tank)
position 4 : subtype digit (variant within the type)

So 22G1 decodes as 20 ft long, 8 ft 6 in high, general-purpose dry box, standard subtype. Change the second character to 5 and 25G1 would be high-cube; change the first to 4 and 42G1 is the 40-foot version. The type letter drives the most important distinction — a plain dry box, a reefer, an open top, a flat rack, or a tank.

Tips and notes

Do not confuse the size-and-type code with the 11-character BIC owner code (four letters then seven digits, the last a check digit) stencilled above it. The two sit together on the container door but answer different questions: who owns it versus what shape and type it is. High-cube boxes (9 ft 6 in) are flagged in position 2 and usually wear a black-and-yellow hazard stripe to warn of the extra height.