Layflat Hose Container Loading Quantity Guide
One of the most practical questions every importer asks before placing an order: “How many rolls of layflat hose actually fit in my container — and how many meters does that give me?” The answer depends on three variables: hose diameter, roll length, and whether you are constrained by volume (CBM) or cargo weight (kg). For small-diameter hose, weight fills the container before volume does. For large-diameter hose, the reverse is true. Getting this calculation wrong means either leaving money on the table with a partly loaded container, or ordering too much and paying for a second shipment.
This guide uses Sunhose’s official packing specifications — coil dimensions and CBM per roll — to calculate exact loading quantities for every size from 1 inch to 16 inch, across three container types: 20ft standard, 40ft standard, and 40ft High Cube (40HC).
Each item = one hose size + quantity (m). Mix as many sizes as needed.
Table of Contents
- Container Dimensions & Usable CBM Reference
- Container Loading Quantity Table — 1” to 16”
- Volume-Limited vs. Weight-Limited: Which Applies to Your Order?
- Mixed Loading: Combining Multiple Sizes in One Container
- Packing Options: Naked Roll, Carton, and Wooden Pallet
- LCL vs. FCL: When Does a Full Container Make Sense?
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Container Dimensions & Usable CBM Reference
The table below shows the three container types most commonly used for PVC hose exports from China. The “usable CBM” figure is the practical loading capacity after accounting for air gaps, loading access lanes, and irregular roll shapes — not the theoretical maximum interior volume.
| Container Type | Interior L × W × H | Theoretical CBM | Practical Usable CBM | Max Cargo Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 5.89 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 33 CBM | ~25 CBM | ~22,000 kg |
| 40ft Standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 67 CBM | ~54 CBM | ~26,000 kg |
| 40ft High Cube (40HC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | 76 CBM | ~65 CBM | ~26,000 kg |
Why is practical CBM lower than theoretical? Cylindrical rolls cannot stack perfectly flush — there are unavoidable air gaps between adjacent coils. Loading access lanes (at least 30–40 cm from the door) and tie-down straps also consume space. The practical figures above are based on real Sunhose FCL loading experience and should be used for planning, not the theoretical maximum.
2. Container Loading Quantity Table — 1” to 16”
The table below shows the maximum number of coils and total meters that can be loaded per container for each hose size. All quantities are calculated against both the volume limit (CBM) and weight limit (kg) — the lower number is used. The constraining factor is noted for each entry.
| Size | CBM/Coil | kg/Coil | 20ft Coils | 20ft Meters | 40ft Coils | 40ft Meters | 40HC Coils | 40HC Meters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1” | 0.013 | 15 | 1,466 (wt) | 146,600 m | 1,733 | 173,300 m | 1,733 | 173,300 m |
| 1-1/4” | 0.015 | 17 | 1,294 (wt) | 129,400 m | 1,529 | 152,900 m | 1,529 | 152,900 m |
| 1-1/2” | 0.019 | 19 | 1,157 (wt) | 115,700 m | 1,368 | 136,800 m | 1,368 | 136,800 m |
| 2” | 0.033 | 22 | 757 (vol) | 75,700 m | 1,181 | 118,100 m | 1,181 | 118,100 m |
| 2-1/2” | 0.034 | 30 | 733 (wt) | 73,300 m | 866 | 86,600 m | 866 | 86,600 m |
| 3” | 0.051 | 35 | 490 (vol) | 49,000 m | 742 | 74,200 m | 742 | 74,200 m |
| 4” | 0.083 | 55 | 301 (vol) | 30,100 m | 472 | 47,200 m | 472 | 47,200 m |
| 5” | 0.109 | 75 | 229 (vol) | 22,900 m | 346 | 34,600 m | 346 | 34,600 m |
| 6” | 0.141 | 90 | 177 (vol) | 17,700 m | 288 | 28,800 m | 288 | 28,800 m |
| 8” | 0.452 | 160 | 55 (vol) | 5,500 m | 119 | 11,900 m | 143 | 14,300 m |
| 10” | 0.153 | 130 | 163 (vol) | 8,150 m | 200 | 10,000 m | 200 | 10,000 m |
| 12” | 0.176 | 150 | 142 (vol) | 7,100 m | 173 | 8,650 m | 173 | 8,650 m |
| 14” | — | 250 | Contact Sunhose for 14” loading plan | |||||
| 16” | 0.333 | 300 | 73 (wt) | 3,650 m | 86 | 4,300 m | 86 | 4,300 m |
Notes: (vol) = quantity limited by container CBM. (wt) = quantity limited by cargo weight. All figures are based on practical usable capacity: 20ft ~25 CBM / ~22,000 kg; 40ft ~54 CBM / ~26,000 kg; 40HC ~65 CBM / ~26,000 kg. Actual quantities may vary ±5% depending on final packing arrangement and shipping line requirements. For a confirmed loading plan specific to your order, contact Sunhose.
3. Volume-Limited vs. Weight-Limited: Which Applies to Your Order?
Whether your container fills up by volume or by weight depends on the hose size you are ordering:
- 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2-1/2”, 16” hose → weight-limited. These hoses are dense relative to their coil volume. You hit the container’s cargo weight limit before running out of physical space. Adding more rolls would overload the container even though there is still CBM available.
- 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12” hose → volume-limited. The coils are relatively large and light. You run out of physical space before reaching the weight limit. A 40HC container helps significantly for these sizes because it adds ~11 CBM of usable height.
Practical tip for importers: For 2” and 3” hose — the two most commonly ordered sizes — a 40ft High Cube container provides no additional capacity over a 40ft standard because both are weight-limited at these diameters. Save the premium and use a standard 40ft. For 4” to 8” hose , the 40HC adds measurable additional meters due to the extra height, making it worth considering for larger orders.
4. Mixed Loading: Combining Multiple Sizes in One Container
Most importers order a mix of sizes in one container — for example, 2,000 meters of 2-inch and 5,000 meters of 3-inch together. Mixed loading is standard practice and fully supported by Sunhose. Here is how to plan it: Step 1 — Calculate CBM for each product line: Multiply the number of coils by the CBM per coil for each size. Example:
- 2” hose: 20 coils × 0.033 CBM = 0.66 CBM
- 3” hose: 50 coils × 0.051 CBM = 2.55 CBM
- 4” hose: 30 coils × 0.083 CBM = 2.49 CBM
- Total: 5.70 CBM → well within a 20ft container (~25 CBM usable)
Step 2 — Calculate total cargo weight: Multiply coils × kg per coil for each size and sum them. Ensure the total does not exceed the container’s weight limit. Step 3 — Request a loading plan from Sunhose: When you send us your order quantity for each size and part number, we provide a container loading plan (showing stacking arrangement, CBM utilization, and total cargo weight) as part of every quotation. This removes guesswork before you confirm the order. Mixed size PVC hose rolls loaded
Mixed-size loading: different hose diameters loaded together in a single 40ft container.
5. Packing Options: Naked Roll, Carton, and Wooden Pallet
Sunhose offers three packing options depending on destination market requirements and the importer’s warehouse handling capability:
| Packing Type | Description | Best For | Effect on CBM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked Roll | Hose coiled and wrapped in stretch film only. No outer carton. | Maximizes container utilization; lowest cost packing. Most common for agricultural and developing market orders. | Baseline (CBM figures in this guide use naked roll) |
| Carton / Woven Bag | Each coil packed in a cardboard carton or PP woven bag. | Retail distribution, small-size hose, or markets where goods are handled through distributors with retail shelf presence. | +5–8% CBM vs. naked roll |
| Wooden Pallet | Coils stacked on standard export pallets (1.1m × 1.1m), stretch-wrapped and strapped. | European buyers, forklift-accessible warehouses, or orders requiring ISPM 15 phytosanitary compliance. | Reduces usable container CBM by ~10–15% due to pallet base and clearance |
| For most export markets (Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia), naked roll packing is the standard and the quantities in the loading table above apply directly. If you need carton or pallet packing, contact us and we will provide an adjusted loading plan. |
6. LCL vs. FCL: When Does a Full Container Make Sense?
If your order volume is less than the container minimum above, you have two options: LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidation, or waiting to accumulate enough volume for an FCL order. Here is a practical decision framework:
| Order Volume | Recommended Option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Below 3 CBM | LCL or courier (small sizes only) | FCL cost not justified |
| 3–12 CBM | LCL consolidation | Pay for actual CBM used; freight forwarder consolidates with other cargo |
| 12–20 CBM | LCL or 20ft FCL | Compare rates — FCL often wins above ~15 CBM in most trade lanes |
| 20–25 CBM | 20ft FCL | Most cost-efficient; simpler customs clearance |
| 25 CBM+ | 40ft or 40HC FCL | Best cost per CBM; single customs entry; lowest per-meter landed cost |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix different hose types (e.g., layflat hose and suction hose) in the same container? Yes. Sunhose regularly loads mixed product containers including layflat hose, PVC suction hose, steel wire hose, and camlock couplings in one FCL. We provide a consolidated packing list and loading plan for each mixed container order. Are the loading quantities in this guide guaranteed? These quantities are calculated from official Sunhose packing specifications and represent typical achievable loads under normal packing conditions. Actual quantities may vary slightly depending on final stacking arrangement and the specific container assigned by the shipping line. For a confirmed loading plan, request a quotation and we will calculate the exact quantity for your specific order combination. What is the difference between a 40ft standard and 40ft High Cube container for hose loading? A 40HC is approximately 30 cm taller internally than a standard 40ft. For volume-constrained sizes (4”–8” hose), this extra height adds usable CBM and meaningfully increases the number of coils. For weight-constrained sizes (1”–3” hose), the extra height has no practical benefit — the container is already full by weight before volume runs out. Check the (vol)/(wt) indicator in the loading table to determine which container type benefits your specific order. Can I order custom roll lengths (e.g., 50m instead of 100m for large diameters)? Yes. Most sizes are available in 50m or 100m coils, and custom lengths are available for large orders. Note that changing roll length affects the coil’s CBM and therefore the loading quantity per container. Contact us with your required roll length and we will recalculate the loading plan. Does Sunhose provide a loading plan with every quotation? Yes. For FCL orders, every Sunhose quotation includes a packing plan showing: individual coil dimensions, total coils per container, total CBM utilization, total cargo weight, and packing type. Request a quotation here.
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