The standard containers are tall 8'6 "(8 feet 6 inches – 2.59 m) with a notation DV, also known as DC. Container height 9'6 "(9 feet 6 inches – 2.90 m) are considered high, HC, also known as HQ. Among the most common types of include: container 20 feet (6.1 m) container of 40 feet (12.2 m), standard, high. There are also PW (width 2.5 m), OT (c canvas, opening roof), HT (c metal, opening roof). The dimensions are chosen so that the container can transported by truck, rail and sea container vessels. Shipping containers, originally produced by American standards.

But since their size does not fit the European road conditions, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), after lengthy negotiations, was introduced to the current date, standardized (ISO 830 1981) container. 20 foot container weighs 2,300 kg, 40 'container 3900 kg. Loading 20 feet container is about 21.7 tons, 33 m of 40 feet container 26.5 m by 67.6 m . In recent years, was introduced by 45-foot container length (13.72 m). It provides more space for storage, especially when it is advantageous to transport bulky cargo. In addition, it can be transported on a standard trailer truck, without exceeding the maximum permissible length.

45 foot container is a direct competitor to conventional trailers in Europe. Thus, according to the shipping industry, these containers will replace the conventional semi-trailers. Shipping containers are so reliable in design, they are placed, each other, in thirteen or more rows. There are different versions of special containers such as refrigerated containers for perishable goods, tank containers for liquid and gaseous substances, containers for transportation of motor vehicles, containers for temporary housing or containers for transportation of animals. Each shipping container has its own number, it consists of four uppercase letters (prefix), three of which determine the owner of the container, the six digits and one check digit. In the section 'ISO Code' you can find information on the coding of containers (ISO 6346 1995) and interpretation of symbols printed on them.