Cashew 20ft container capacity: a standard 20ft container holds 700 cartons of cashew kernels packed in 22.68 kg (50 lb) vacuum bags — 15,876 kg net, floor-loaded. A 40ft container does not simply double that: with cartons this heavy it reaches its weight limit before its space is full, so the 40ft count depends on the container’s payload rating and is confirmed with each quotation.
How many cartons fit in a 20ft container?
Container capacity for cashew kernels is set by the packing format, not by the grade. A carton of WW320 and a carton of WW240 at the same net weight occupy the same space, so buyers plan by carton count. The reference figure is 700 cartons per 20ft container for the standard 50 lb (22.68 kg) carton, the same count Vietnamese exporters publish for this format (example: SSC Solution packing table) — which is why “one FCL” in cashew contracts usually means 15,876 kg net.
| Packing format | Net per carton | Cartons per 20ft | Net per 20ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.68 kg (50 lb) vacuum bag in carton | 22.68 kg | 700 | 15,876 kg |
| Tin boxes of 10 kg or 11.34 kg in master cartons | Depends on tins per carton | Confirmed at quotation | Confirmed at quotation |
For tin formats, the carton count depends on how many tins go into each master carton and on the carton dimensions. Rather than quote a generic figure, SVC confirms the exact count and net weight with the quotation.
Why doesn’t a 40ft container hold double?
A 40ft container has roughly twice the internal volume of a 20ft, so buyers often expect 1,400 cartons. The constraint is weight. A 20ft container of 50 lb cartons is full by space at 15,876 kg net. Doubling that would put 31,752 kg of kernels into one box before the weight of cartons and packaging is counted — and the payload rating of the 40ft container on your route may not allow it.
| Load | Cartons | Net kernels | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 20ft, floor-loaded | 700 | 15,876 kg | Space — the container is full |
| 40ft at double the 20ft count | 1,400 | 31,752 kg | Payload rating of the container; road limits at destination |
Before relying on any 40ft carton count, check the carton weight behind it and the payload rating of the container. Road weight limits at the destination can cap the practical load further — your forwarder can confirm the legal maximum for the inland leg. SVC confirms the maximum 40ft count for your packing format with the quotation.
Rule of thumb: for cashew kernels in 50 lb cartons, a 20ft is limited by space and a 40ft by weight. Plan in 20ft units unless your forwarder confirms a 40ft payload and road limit that make the bigger box worthwhile.
Which packing formats does SVC use?
SVC packs cashew kernels in vacuum bags of 20 kg, 22.68 kg and 50 lb, and in tin boxes of 10 kg and 11.34 kg, inside 5-layer master cartons in SVC's own design or the buyer's. Every grade in the cashew kernel range loads at the same carton count for the same packing format.
- 22.68 kg (50 lb) vacuum bag carton — the standard export format for importers, repackers and industrial buyers: 700 cartons per 20ft.
- Tin boxes (10 kg or 11.34 kg) — more rigid, used in some retail and gifting channels. Carton count confirmed at quotation.
- 20 kg vacuum bag carton — carton count depends on carton dimensions and is confirmed at quotation.
Floor-loaded or palletised?
The 700-carton figure assumes cartons are floor-loaded — stacked directly in the container without pallets. Palletising has real advantages at the destination, but it costs capacity:
| Factor | Floor-loaded | Palletised |
|---|---|---|
| Cartons per 20ft | Maximum (700 at 22.68 kg) | Fewer — pallets take space and weight |
| Unloading at destination | Manual, slower | Forklift, much faster |
| Pallet requirements | None | Wooden pallets must be ISPM-15 heat-treated |
| Best for | Lowest cost per kg | Warehouses with forklifts and high labour cost |
Decide which you need before the order is confirmed, because it changes the carton count on the contract.
How should container quantity be written into the contract?
“One container of WW320” can mean different net weights depending on packing. Write it out explicitly — it is one of the checks in our step-by-step guide to importing cashew nuts from Vietnam:
What about trial orders and LCL?
Less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments are possible, but LCL freight is charged per cubic metre and a full container load is cheaper per unit shipped. Before a trial, buyers can request free samples under 1 kg from SVC; for a first commercial shipment below a full container, discuss quantity and consolidation options directly with SVC. Transit times by destination are covered in our shipping routes guide, and current FOB prices are on the SVC cashew price update.
We quote container quantity in cartons and kilograms, never as “about sixteen tonnes”. Quantity disputes often start with a contract that leaves the packing format unstated — two lines in the purchase order prevent them.
Planning your first full container? Request a quotation →
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