Container Loading: How Many Exhaust Fans Fit in a 20GP or 40HQ

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Per-model loading figures, the calculation behind them, and why fans are volume-limited, not weight-limited.

Container planning is where a good quotation turns into a bad landed cost. Loading fewer fans than the container can hold means paying freight on empty space; over-declaring the load means a re-stuffed container at the port and a delay. This guide gives the per-model loading figures for the KLT series and shows the calculation so you can check it against your own freight forwarder's numbers.

Container Capacity

ContainerInternal volumePractical usable volume*Typical max payloadNote
20GP33.2 m³≈ 28.2 m³28,200 kgThe standard 20-foot general purpose container.
40GP67.7 m³≈ 57.5 m³26,700 kgSame height as a 20GP, twice the length.
40HQ76.4 m³≈ 64.9 m³26,500 kgHigh cube: 30 cm taller than a 40GP, about 13% more volume.

*Usable volume assumes 85% loading efficiency, which is realistic for regular export cartons. Palletised cargo loads lower; hand-stacked cartons can reach 90%. Payload figures vary by carrier and by the road weight limits of the destination country.

Exhaust fans are almost always volume-limited, not weight-limited. The tables below confirm it: every KLT model fills the container before it reaches the weight limit.

How the Calculation Works

Cartons = usable volume (m³) ÷ carton volume (m³)
Pieces = cartons × pieces per carton
Gross weight = cartons × gross weight per carton

Round the carton count down — you cannot ship part of a carton. The carton volume and weight figures below are the same ones on our KLT series specification table.

Loading Table by Model

ModelPcs / Ctn · CBMAirflow20GP40GP40HQ
KLT-10B 6-inch20 / 0.11 m³1505,120 pcs
256 ctn · 5,120 kg (volume-limited)
10,460 pcs
523 ctn · 10,460 kg (volume-limited)
11,800 pcs
590 ctn · 11,800 kg (volume-limited)
KLT-12B 8-inch9 / 0.119 m³3802,133 pcs
237 ctn · 3,034 kg (volume-limited)
4,347 pcs
483 ctn · 6,182 kg (volume-limited)
4,905 pcs
545 ctn · 6,976 kg (volume-limited)
KLT-16B 9-inch9 / 0.15 m³3961,692 pcs
188 ctn · 2,933 kg (volume-limited)
3,447 pcs
383 ctn · 5,975 kg (volume-limited)
3,888 pcs
432 ctn · 6,739 kg (volume-limited)
KLT-18B 10-inch8 / 0.168 m³4321,336 pcs
167 ctn · 2,922 kg (volume-limited)
2,736 pcs
342 ctn · 5,985 kg (volume-limited)
3,088 pcs
386 ctn · 6,755 kg (volume-limited)
KLT-20B 12-inch6 / 0.145 m³7921,164 pcs
194 ctn · 2,968 kg (volume-limited)
2,376 pcs
396 ctn · 6,059 kg (volume-limited)
2,682 pcs
447 ctn · 6,839 kg (volume-limited)
KLT-25B 14-inch4 / 0.146 m³1,500772 pcs
193 ctn · 2,606 kg (volume-limited)
1,576 pcs
394 ctn · 5,319 kg (volume-limited)
1,776 pcs
444 ctn · 5,994 kg (volume-limited)
KLT-30B 18-inch1 / 0.109 m³1,800258 pcs
258 ctn · 1,625 kg (volume-limited)
527 pcs
527 ctn · 3,320 kg (volume-limited)
595 pcs
595 ctn · 3,748 kg (volume-limited)

Read the table as a planning figure, not a booking figure. Actual loading depends on carton condition, how the container is stuffed, and whether the forwarder uses pallets. Always have your forwarder confirm against the final packing list before you book.

Worked Example: A Mixed Container

Mixed-size containers are accepted, and mixing is usually the right commercial answer — a single-model container is rarely what a distributor actually needs. Take a 20GP with two models:

Note what happened to the weight: 3,805 kg against a 28,200 kg payload. Volume ran out long before weight did — the same pattern as every single-model row in the table above.

Practical Notes for the Packing List

Frequently Asked Questions

How many exhaust fans fit in a 20ft container?

It depends on the model. On our published packing data, a 20GP takes about 5,120 of the 6-inch KLT-10B, about 2,130 of the 8-inch KLT-12B, about 1,160 of the 12-inch KLT-20B, and about 258 of the 18-inch KLT-30B. Mixing sizes is accepted.

How many exhaust fans fit in a 40HQ container?

Roughly double the 20GP figure for the same model — about 11,800 of the 6-inch KLT-10B, about 4,900 of the 8-inch KLT-12B, about 2,680 of the 12-inch KLT-20B and about 595 of the 18-inch KLT-30B, based on our standard export cartons.

Are exhaust fans limited by weight or volume in a container?

Almost always by volume. On our packing data, every KLT model fills the container well before it approaches the weight limit — a 20GP of 6-inch fans comes to about 5,120 kg against a payload of roughly 28,200 kg.

Can I mix different fan sizes in one container?

Yes. Mixed-size containers are accepted and are usually the better commercial answer for a distributor. Send us your target quantities by model and we will calculate the loading plan and quote it as one shipment.

How much volume do I lose if I palletise the load?

Expect to lose 10 to 15 percent of the usable volume compared with hand-stacked cartons. If your customer requires palletised delivery, tell us at order stage so the packing plan and the loading figures are calculated on that basis.

Related Guides

Need a factory-direct quote?

Send your application, quantity and destination — our export team replies within one working day.

Request a Quote