How to Choose the Right Container Size for Your International Move to Honduras
Container selection is one of the most consequential decisions in planning an international move. Too small, and you're paying for a second shipment. Too large, and you're paying for empty space. The wrong type, and you're dealing with longer customs delays and more handling of your belongings.
After 67+ years of international relocations, Mudanzas Gamundi knows exactly how to match your household to the right container. Here's our guide.
Standard Container Types
20-Foot Standard Container (20' GP)
- Internal dimensions: 5.9m × 2.35m × 2.39m
- Volume: ~33 m³
- Best for: 1–2 bedroom apartment; 3-bedroom house with minimal furniture
- What fits: Living room set, queen bed, dining table + 4 chairs, basic appliances, full kitchen, ~50 boxes
40-Foot Standard Container (40' GP)
- Internal dimensions: 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m
- Volume: ~67 m³
- Best for: Full 3–4 bedroom house
- What fits: Full living/dining/3 bedrooms, large appliances, library, garage items, 100+ boxes
40-Foot High Cube Container (40' HC)
- Internal dimensions: 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.69m (30cm taller than standard)
- Volume: ~76 m³
- Best for: Large homes, oversized items like king mattresses, sectional sofas, upright pianos
FCL vs. LCL: Which is Right for You?
FCL (Full Container Load)
Your belongings fill the entire container — exclusively yours.
Pros: Faster customs clearance, less handling (lower damage risk), complete control over contents.
Con: Fixed cost regardless of how full the container is.
Choose FCL when: You have more than 15 m³ of volume.
LCL (Less than Container Load / Groupage)
Your cargo shares a container with other customers' goods. You pay per cubic meter or per kg, whichever is greater.
Pros: Cost-effective for smaller volumes.
Cons: Longer transit (goes through a consolidation warehouse), more handling = higher damage risk.
Choose LCL when: You have less than 10–12 m³.
Volume Estimates by Home Type
| Home type | Estimated volume | Recommended option |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom apartment | 5 – 10 m³ | LCL |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 10 – 18 m³ | LCL or 20' FCL |
| 3-bedroom house | 18 – 35 m³ | 20' FCL |
| 4-bedroom house | 35 – 55 m³ | 40' FCL |
| Large home (5+ bedrooms) | 55 – 80 m³ | 40' HC FCL or 2 × 20' |
These are estimates. Actual volume depends on furniture size, number of items, and packing method.
Items That Take More Space Than You'd Expect
- King mattress: ~1.5 m³ on its own
- Large sectional sofa: 2–4 m³
- Bicycles: ~0.3–0.5 m³ each
- Washer/dryer: ~0.3 m³ each (but very heavy)
- Upright piano: 1–1.5 m³ (requires High Cube container for height clearance)
- Books: Dense and heavy — watch the weight limit
How Gamundi Calculates Your Volume
Before giving you a quote, we conduct a pre-move survey — in your home or via video call if you're abroad. We measure, count, and calculate your exact volume so you're quoted accurately the first time.
As a FIDI/FAIM certified company, our survey process follows independently audited international standards — not guesswork.
Want to know exactly what size you need? Request a free inventory survey and we'll calculate it precisely.
Mudanzas Gamundi — FIDI/FAIM Certified. Moving Honduras to the world and the world to Honduras.