TL;DR: How many suitcases fit in a 20GP or 40HQ ocean container?
Because empty suitcases are high-volume, low-density cargo ("cube out before they weigh out"), ocean freight efficiency depends entirely on whether you ship single individual cartons or 3-in-1 nested sets (20" inside 24" inside 28"). At DJI Luggage (PT. DJI Travel Products Indonesia · NIB 0710250022508 · KBLI 15121) in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, we load and export over 100 × 40HQ containers annually via Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. A standard 40HQ (~68 CBM usable volume) holds roughly 620–680 nested 3-piece sets (1,860–2,040 individual suitcases), compared with 600–1,500 individual suitcases when packed one piece per carton.
| Packing Format & Size Class | Exterior Suitcase Dimensions & Net Weight | Approx. 20GP Capacity (~28 CBM) | Approx. 40HQ Capacity (~68 CBM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 Nested Set (20" + 24" + 28") | 20" inside 24" inside 28" (1 master carton = 3 pcs · ~14.46 kg net) | ~250–280 sets (750–840 pcs) | ~620–680 sets (1,860–2,040 pcs) |
| 2-in-1 Pilgrimage / Twin Set (18" + 26") | 18" cabin inside 26" checked (1 master carton = 2 pcs) | ~310–350 sets (620–700 pcs) | ~750–850 sets (1,500–1,700 pcs) |
| 20" Carry-On (Single Pack) | 37.6 × 22.6 × 58.4 cm · 39 L · 4.38 kg net | ~550–620 pcs | ~1,350–1,500 pcs |
| 24" Medium Checked (Single Pack) | 37.6 × 30.5 × 65.5 cm · 60 L · 4.88 kg net | ~350–390 pcs | ~850–950 pcs |
| 28" Large Checked (Single Pack) | 49.5 × 32 × 68.5 cm · 5.2 kg net | ~240–270 pcs | ~600–660 pcs |
1. Why 3-in-1 nested packing cuts ocean freight cost per suitcase by 55–65%
When a 28-inch large checked suitcase ships in its own 5-ply export carton, the carton occupies roughly 0.10 to 0.11 CBM of container space regardless of what is inside it. By nesting a 24-inch medium case (wrapped in a PE/PP dust bag and EPE foam interleaving) inside the 28-inch case, and nesting a 20-inch cabin carry-on inside the 24-inch case, the 20" and 24" suitcases travel for zero additional ocean freight volume. That is why wholesale importers, supermarket chains, and department stores ordering injection-moulded PP, Covestro PC, or ABS+PC lines almost universally specify nested 3-in-1 packing.
By contrast, DTC e-commerce brands that fulfil individual 20" carry-ons directly from a 3PL warehouse in the United States, Australia, or Europe often order standalone single-pack mailer cartons printed with their brand graphics and barcode labels so the 3PL does not have to un-nest and repack units at destination.
2. Estimated sea freight transit times from Tanjung Priok (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Our factory in Kemang, Bogor sits roughly 50–70 km south of Tanjung Priok (IDJKT), Indonesia's primary deep-water container port. After our 25–55 day bulk production window (counted from 30% deposit and signed golden sample approval), typical port-to-port ocean transit times from Jakarta are:
| Destination Region | Major Discharge Ports | Typical Sea Transit (Port-to-Port) | Applicable Origin & Customs Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia (ASEAN) | Singapore, Port Klang (MY), Laem Chabang (TH), Manila (PH) | 3–8 days | ATIGA Form D (0% intra-ASEAN duty), Commercial Invoice, Packing List |
| Australia & New Zealand | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, Auckland | 10–16 days | IA-CEPA / AANZFTA COO (0% duty), ISPM 15 / non-wood packing declaration |
| East Asia (Japan / Korea / China) | Tokyo, Osaka, Busan, Shanghai, Shenzhen | 7–14 days | IJEPA / RCEP / Form E Certificate of Origin, HS 4202 packing list |
| Middle East (Saudi Arabia / UAE) | Jeddah, Dammam, Jebel Ali (Dubai) | 14–22 days | Indonesian Certificate of Origin (COO), SABER / destination conformity docs |
| European Union & UK | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Felixstowe, Southampton | 22–30 days | Indonesian COO, EU PPWR & REACH (no DMFu) compliance declarations |
| United States (West & East Coast) | Los Angeles / Long Beach, Seattle, New York / Newark, Savannah | 24–38 days | Indonesian COO, US CONEG (<100 ppm heavy metals), ISF 10+2 filing data |
3. Floor loading vs palletised loading and container desiccant protection
To capture the full ~68 CBM of a 40HQ container, export luggage orders are typically floor-loaded by hand from floor to ceiling, with heavier cartons on the bottom tiers and die-cut corrugated reinforcement at every SilentMove 360° wheel housing. If your destination warehouse requires palletised delivery, we supply plastic/plywood pallets or ISPM 15 heat-treated timber pallets (note that pallets reduce total container quantity by ~12–15%). Every container is fitted with calcium-chloride container desiccant strips and silica gel packs inside each suitcase to prevent equatorial condensation. Request a custom loading calculation via our quote form.
Questions buyers ask about container loading and shipping
Can we mix multiple colours and models inside one 40HQ container? Yes. Because our MOQ is 100 units per SKU, you can combine 6 to 15 different SKUs (across 20"/24"/28" sizes, colours, and even aluminium-frame plus zippered models) inside a single 40HQ container.
Do you accept Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments for 100-unit trial orders? Yes. Orders starting from 100 units per SKU can be handed over FOB Jakarta (LCL consolidation warehouse at Tanjung Priok) or EXW Bogor to your nominated freight forwarder.
What HS code is used for exporting hard-shell suitcases from Indonesia? Hard-shell suitcases with an outer surface of plastics (PC, PP, ABS+PC, ABS) or aluminium generally clear under HS heading 4202.12 or 4202.19; your customs broker confirms the exact national subheading at destination.
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