The formula
Container math is where appliance stock deals are won or lost. A lot priced beautifully per unit can drown in freight cost if the cartons cube out awkwardly — and a well-planned mixed container can turn two marginal lots into one strong shipment.
The formula: divide the container's usable CBM by the carton CBM, apply a 0.90–0.95 buffer for a realistic carton count, then multiply cartons by units per carton. CBM (cubic meter) is the carton's volume: length × width × height in meters.
| Container | Nominal volume | Usable volume (planning figure) |
|---|---|---|
| 20GP | ~33 CBM | 28 CBM |
| 40GP | ~67 CBM | 58 CBM |
| 40HQ | ~76 CBM | 68 CBM |
Why the volume discount
Cartons never tile a container perfectly, mixed lot sizes create gaps, and floor weight limits (about 21–26 tons for a 20GP) bind before volume does on dense goods. Appliance lots are usually volume-bound rather than weight-bound, but check gross weight per carton against the payload before committing.
Real numbers from current Foshan lots
These are actual carton specifications from lots in the Shunde warehouse area — use them as calibration for what typical small-appliance categories cube out at.
| Product | Packing | Carton CBM | 20GP (28 CBM) | 40HQ (68 CBM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window air fryer 6.5L | 1 pc/ctn | 0.064 | ~430 pcs | ~1,000 pcs |
| High-speed blender 1.75L | 2 pcs/ctn | 0.112 | ~500 pcs | ~1,150 pcs |
| Travel folding kettle 0.8L | 12 pcs/ctn | 0.086 | ~3,900 pcs | ~9,000 pcs |
| Espresso machine 15 bar | 1 pc/ctn | 0.078 | ~350 pcs | ~830 pcs |
| Bladeless tower fan 32" | 1 pc/ctn | 0.092 | ~300 pcs | ~700 pcs |
| Garment steamer 120ml | 12 pcs/ctn | 0.074 | ~4,500 pcs | ~10,400 pcs |
Reading the spread
A full 20GP of tower fans is roughly 300 units, while the same container swallows about 3,900 travel kettles. When a lot's MOQ is 240 fans, a single 20GP covers it with room to spare — but a 600-piece fan MOQ forces a 40GP or a mixed plan. Always run the MOQ, available quantity and carton CBM together before deciding a lot “doesn't fit.”
Planning a mixed container
Mixed containers are the standard play for surplus: no single lot may fill a box, but a fan lot plus a kettle lot plus a steamer lot cubes out a 40HQ nicely. Three rules:
- Plan by CBM, not by carton count. Sum each lot's cartons × carton CBM and target 90–95% of usable volume. Over-planning by 5% leaves a container short-loaded at the warehouse.
- Match logistics specs across lots. All lots in one container should share the FOB port (Foshan or Nansha) and the destination port — mixed-port containers die in documentation.
- One shipment file. Consolidated lots should be declared and loaded together, with one packing list reconciling every carton — deposit collection, customs declaration, container booking and loading under a single file.
Weight check — don't skip it
Dense categories (espresso machines, blenders with glass jars) can hit the payload before the volume. A 40HQ of espresso machines at roughly 18 kg per carton gross is around 15 tons — fine. But if you stack heavy cartons three-high, verify floor loading with your forwarder. Appliance surplus is rarely weight-blocked, but the exceptions are expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ship a 20GP or a 40HQ?+
Per-CBM freight is cheaper on a 40HQ if your volume justifies it. Rule of thumb: if your lots cube out past roughly 26 CBM, price both. Below that, a 20GP keeps freight lean and lets you split destination ports.
What does LCL mean for appliance stock?+
Less-than-container-load: your cartons share a container with other shippers' cargo. It works for trial orders but costs more per CBM and adds handling risk for carton-heavy appliance lots. For stock lots, a full container with a mixed-lot plan usually beats LCL on both cost and damage rate.
How accurate are loading estimates?+
Treat any calculation as ±5%. The final number depends on carton stacking pattern, pallet use (most Foshan appliance lots load floor-loaded, pallet-free) and how tightly mixed sizes nest. Get a fill-rate check on your exact loading list before booking.
Can I try container combinations before contacting anyone?+
Yes — the container loading estimator on the BulkVolt stock page lets you enter quantities per lot and see total cartons, volume and fill rate against 20GP/40GP/40HQ in real time, then send the loading list straight to inquiry.
Official References
Rules and product scopes change. Confirm the current HS-code treatment with the destination importer, authority, certification body and customs broker before shipment.
Check a live lot before you import
Request vetted buyer access for current specifications, inspection evidence, packing data and private FOB offers.