"How many fit in a 40ft?" is the first question every export buyer asks — and the honest answer is "it depends on packing, not just bottle size."
Packing format decides the count
The same preform ships very differently as a small carton (e.g. ~1,500/box) versus a jumbo box (e.g. ~16,000/box). Cartons per pallet, pallets per container and the bulk-box option all change the loaded quantity — so a SKU has a packing matrix, not one number.
Weight can cap you before volume does
Dense PET can hit the legal cargo weight limit (≈26 t for a 40ft / 40HC, ≈21.5 t for a 20ft) before the container is volumetrically full. A good estimate checks both — a half-empty but weight-maxed container is a common, costly surprise.
Get the exact figures
Enter your SKU and quantity in Order & Impact for exact box, pallet, 40ft, 20ft and truck counts from the published packing matrix — plus indicative material cost and CO₂e. Final loading is confirmed by the Delta El Nile team.