A.

Size code designation

The two alphanumeric characters used to designate the size code of the container are chosen as follows:
- first character, representing the length, in accordance with table 1;
- second character, representing the width and height, in accordance with table 2.

Table 1 - first SIZE-CODE character Table 2 - Second SIZE-CODE character

Container length Code character Code character
Container height Container width
mm ft in in > 2438 mm
2 991 10 1 mm ft 2436 mm > 2500 mm
(8 ft) and ≤ 2500 mm
6 068 20 2 2438 8 0
9 125 30 3 2591 8 6 2 C L
12 192 40 4 2743 9 4 D M
unassigned 5 2895 9 6 5 E N
unassigned 6 > 2895 >9 6 6 F P
unassigned 7 1295 4 3 8
unassigned 8 < 1219 <4 9
unassigned 9
7 150 A
7 315 24 B ≤
7 430 24 6 C
7 450 - D
7 820 - E
8 100 - F
12 500 41 G
13 106 43 H
13 600 - K
13 716 45 L
14 630 48 M
14 935 49 N
16 154 - P
unassigned R

B. Type code designation IMPORTANT

ISO 6346 AMENDMENT 3
Warning: new container type code using an alpha character in the 4th position of 2. Where alternative unassigned code numbers exist and where a code number is
the size-type code indicates a container of reduced strength. (See detailed type desired for a container having important characteristics not mentionned in the table
code ‘b’). below, it is recommended that the highest unassigned number in the appropriate
block be used, pending further allocation of code numbers by the concerned
1. The following table gives the codes to identify the Container type and other ISO/TC 104 subcommittees.
characteristics related to its type, for the purpose of preparing container fleet/stock
inventory or for exchange of operational data. The detailed type code list does not 3. Where other characteristics related to the container type are unspecified or
unknown, the container type shall be identified by its group code as indicated in
cover all the possible characteristics of any type of container. Indeed for some
the column “Type group code designation”.
types, individual categories have not been listed at all, as it is considered that
further detailed study is necessary before a satisfactory breakdown can be agreed.

Type Detailed Detailed

Code Type designation Main characteristics
group code type codea type codeb
G General purpose container GP Opening(s) at one end or both ends G0 GA
G Without ventilation Passive vents at upper part of cargo space G1 GB
G Opening(s) at one or both G2 GD
ends plus “full” opening(s) on one or both sides
G Opening(s) at one or both G3 GG
ends plus “partial” opening(s) on one or both sides
G (unassigned) G4 GJ
G (unassigned) G5 GM
G (unassigned) G6 GV
G (unassigned) G7 GW
G (unassigned) G8 GX
G With bulk capabilities G9 GY
V General purpose container VH Non mechanical system, V0 VA
with ventilation vents at lower and upper parts of cargo space
V (unassigned) V1 VB
V Mechanical ventilation system, located internally V2 VD
V (unassigned) V3 VG
V Mechanical ventilation system, located externally V4 GJ
VI
V (unassigned) V5 VM
V (unassigned) V6 VV
V (unassigned) V7 VW
V (unassigned) V8 VX
V (unassigned) V9 VY
B Dry bulk cargo
 Type Detailed Detailed
Code Type designation Main characteristics
group code type codea type codeb
B Non-pressurized, box type BU Closed B0 BA
B Airtight B1 BB
B (unassigned) B2 BD
B Rear discharge/cat flap type B3 BG
B Rear discharge/full width opening B4 BJ
B Rear discharge/full width fixed B5 BM
B (unassigned) B6 BV
B (unassigned) B7 BW
B Front discharge/full width B8 BX
B Side discharge B9 BY
S Named cargo SN Livestock carrier S0 SA
S Automotive carrier S1 SB
S Live fish carrier S2 SD
S (unassigned) S3 SG
S Generator S4 SJ
S (unassigned) S5 SM
S (unassigned) S6 SV
S (unassigned) S7 SW
S (unassigned) S8 SX
S (unassigned) S9 SY
R Thermal container
R Refrigerated RE Mechanically refrigerated RO RA
R Refrigerated and heated RT Mechanically refrigerated and heated R1 RB
R Self-powered RS Mechanically refrigerated R2 RD
R Mechanically refrigerated and heated R3 RG
R (unassigned) R4 RJ
R (unassigned) R5 RM
R (unassigned) R6 RV
R (unassigned) R7 RW
R (unassigned) R8 RX
R (unassigned) R9 RY
H Thermal container
H Refrigerated and/or heated with removable HR Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment H0 HA
equipment located externally, heat transfer coefficient K = 0,4 W/(m2-K)
H Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment H1 HB
located internally
H Refrigerated and/or heated with removable equipment H2 HD
located externally, heat transfer coefficient K = 0,7 W/(m2-K)
H (unassigned) H3 HG
H (unassigned) H4 HJ
H Insulated HI Insulated; heat transfer coefficient K = 0,4 W/(m2-K) H5 HM
H Insulated; heat transfer coefficient K = 0 W/(m2-K) H6 HV
H (unassigned) H7 HW
H (unassigned) H8 HX
H (unassigned) H9 HY
U Open-top container UT Opening(s) at one or both ends U0 UA
U Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus removable top U1 UB
member(s) in end frames
U Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus opening(s) U2 UD
on one or both sides
U Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus opening(s) on one or U3 UG
both sides plus removable top member(s) in end frames
U Opening(s) at one or both ends, plus partial opening on one U4 UJ
side and full opening on the other side
U (unassigned) U5 UM
U Open topped container with removable hard top U6 UV
U (unassigned) U7 UW
U (unassigned) U8 UX
U Coil carrier U9 UY
P Platform (container) PL Platform (container) P0 PA
P Platform-based container with incomplete
superstructure:
P Fixed PF Two complete and fixed ends P1 PB
P Fixed posts, either freestanding or with removable P2 PD
top member
P Folding (collapsible) PC Folding complete end structure P3 PG
P Folding posts, either freestanding or with removable P4 PJ
top member
P
P Platform-based container with complete PS Open top, open ends (skeletal) P5 PM
superstructure
P Platform-based container for named cargo PT Ship’s gear carrier P6 PV
P Car carrier P7 PW
P Timber/pipe carrier P8 PX
P Coil carrier P9 PY
 Type Detailed Detailed
Code Type designation Main characteristics
group code type codea type codeb
K Pressurized tank container
(liquids and gases)
K KL Liquid tank non-regulated goods K0 KA
K Liquid tank dangerous goods ≤ 2,65 barc pressure K1 KB
K Liquid tank dangerous goods >2,65 barc and ≤ 10 barc pressure K2 KD
K Liquid tank dangerous goods > 10 barc high pressure K3 KG
K Liquid tank non regulated goods requiring power supply K4 KJ
K Liquid tank for dangerous goods ≤ 10 barc requiring power supply K5 KM
K Liquid tank for dangerous goods > 10 barc pressure requiring power supply K6 KV
K Cryogenic tank K7 KW
K Gas tank K8 KX
K (unassigned) K9 KY
N Pressurized and non-pressurized
tank container (dry)
N NH Hopper type vertical discharge N0 NA
N Hopper type rear discharge N1 NB
N (unassigned) N2 ND
N NN Non pressurized rear discharge N3 NG
N Non-pressurized side discharge N4 NJ
N Non-pressurized tipping discharge N5 NM
N (unassigned) N6 NV
N Pressurized rear discharge N7 NW
N Pressurized side discharge N8 NX
N Pressurized tipping discharge N9 NL
A Air/surface container AS A0

a) For containers designed and tested with full stacking (minimum superimposed mass of 213.360 kg) and racking (minimum transverse force of 150 kN) capabilities. Superimposed mass
is as defined in ISO 1496-1:1990.
b) This includes containers designed and tested with reduced stacking and/or racking capabilities, but not containers that are approved or operated with one door off or otherwise operated
with a temporary reduced capability.
c) 100 kPa = 1 bar = 105 Pa = 105 N/m2 = 14.5 lbf/in2

The text taken from ISO 6346:1995/Amd 3:2012, is reproduced with the permission of the International Organization for Standardization, ISO. This standard can be obtained from any ISO
member and from the Web site of the ISO Central Secretariat at the following address: www.iso.org. Copyright remains with ISO.