Quick Answer
A 45ft High Cube dry container is the niche bigger sibling of the 40HC. ISO L5G1 standard, 13.55 m internal length (44 feet 6 inches), 2.35 m wide, 2.70 m tall (8 feet 10 inches), holds 86 cubic metres (3,040 cu ft), tare 4,900 kg, max payload 27,600 kg. Same width and height as a 40HC with five extra feet of length. We carry a small standing inventory at our Brantford yard and source-to-order on demand. Honest per-order CAD quotes on stocked and source-to-order units alike. Delivery in 1 to 3 business days for stocked units, 2 to 4 weeks if we have to bring one in.
The 45ft High Cube is the smallest-volume product on our yard by unit count. Out of roughly 200 containers we hold at any given time across our four Brantford yards, about 6 to 12 are 45HCs depending on the month. We sell them honestly: most buyers who ask for a 45HC actually need a 40HC, and we walk them through the math. If you are still weighing lengths, comparing the dimensions of every length we carry usually settles it in a minute. The buyers who genuinely need the 45HC need it for one specific reason, and when that reason exists the 45 is the right call. This page covers when it is, when it is not, what the spec actually does, and what you pay landed.
The 45HC is the largest container variant that still carries a full ocean-going ISO certification with a CSC plate. Anything bigger (the 53ft domestic intermodal box) is a North American road-rail product without ocean-shipping certification. So if the buyer needs international-cargo provenance and the absolute maximum interior volume in a single piece, the 45HC is the answer.
45HC Specifications, ISO L5G1 Standard
| Measurement | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| External length | 45 ft 0 in | 13.716 m |
| External width | 8 ft 0 in | 2.438 m |
| External height (High Cube) | 9 ft 6 in | 2.896 m |
| Internal length | 44 ft 6 in | 13.556 m |
| Internal width | 7 ft 8 in | 2.347 m |
| Internal height | 8 ft 10 in | 2.696 m |
| Door opening width | 7 ft 8 in | 2.340 m |
| Door opening height | 8 ft 5 in | 2.585 m |
| Internal volume | 3,040 cu ft | 86.0 m³ |
| Tare weight (empty) | 10,800 lb | 4,900 kg |
| Maximum payload | 60,860 lb | 27,600 kg |
| Maximum gross weight | 71,650 lb | 32,500 kg |
| ISO 6346 size + type code | L5G1 (45ft length, 9′6″ high-cube, general-purpose) | |
Code reading: the L identifies the 45-foot length, the 5 identifies the 9-foot-6-inch height (High Cube), G identifies general-purpose dry cargo, and the 1 identifies the closed-side door configuration. The same code is stamped on every 45HC we sell, alongside a CSC plate on the cargo doors confirming the structural integrity for ocean transport.
The Five Extra Feet, in Practical Terms
A 40HC holds 67.7 cubic metres (2,390 cu ft). A 45HC holds 86.0 cubic metres (3,040 cu ft). That is a 27 percent volume increase for a 12.5 percent length increase. The extra length sits at the door end of the box, so the cargo door opening is identical to a 40HC. Inside, the floor is five feet longer than a 40HC at the same width and height.
For palletised cargo, the 45HC fits 24 to 26 standard 40-by-48-inch pallets in a single layer (versus 20 to 21 in a 40HC), or 27 to 28 Euro pallets (versus 23 to 24 in a 40HC). Double-stack with stackable cargo and the count doubles. The pallet density per dollar is roughly comparable to a 40HC because the 45HC carries a price premium of about 10 to 15 percent.
For non-palletised use cases the five feet matters in three specific ways. Long-item cargo (steel tube, lumber, kayaks, classic-car frames, boats up to 44 feet) fits in a 45HC where a 40HC just barely does not. Residential conversion buyers who want a longer single-container layout get an extra 40 square feet of floor area without going to a two-container weld. Workshop builders who run lathes, long workbenches, or roll-out vehicle bays get usable extra reach without buying a second box.
“The 45 question I get most often goes like this. Buyer comes in asking for a 45HC because someone told them bigger is better. I ask what they are putting in it. About four out of five times the answer is something that fits inside a 40HC with room to spare. Those four buyers leave with a 40HC and save 1,500 dollars. The fifth buyer has a 43-foot canoe trailer or a custom workshop layout that needs the extra five feet, and they walk out with the right product. Honest sizing is the conversation, not selling up.”
Christian LeBlanc, second-generation operator, Van Blanc Ent. Inc.
45HC Container Grades We Stock
| Grade | What It Is | Best 45HC Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| One-Trip | Essentially new. Single voyage from Asia. Paint clean, doors tight, no rust. | Premium residential conversions. Customer-visible commercial placements. High-end container homes where the extra length matters for layout. |
| Cargo Worthy (CW) | Used 8 to 15 years. CSC re-cert valid. Wind and water tight. Surface rust on exterior. | 3PL extra-capacity overflow. Specialty long-cargo storage. Workshop conversions where exterior is painted over anyway. |
| Wind and Water Tight (WWT) | Used 12+ years. Roof and floor sealed. CSC may be expired. | Long-term static storage. Equipment-yard overflow at industrial sites where the 5-foot extra length matters for parking a specific piece of gear. |
| As-Is | Project shell. Disclosed defects. | Heavy modification builds. Container-home projects where the shell will be extensively cut and re-skinned anyway. |
Bare container prices at our Brantford yard. Delivery across Ontario is quoted by destination distance and access (45HC delivery is harder than 40HC because the longer trailer needs more swing room on the drop). Multi-bin orders get a per-box delivery discount starting at three units. Modifications priced separately.
The 45HC is source-to-order more often than 40HC. We typically hold 6 to 12 in standing inventory across our four Brantford yards. If your specific size and grade combination is not on the yard the week you call, lead time runs 2 to 4 weeks to bring one in from container terminals in Toronto, Montreal, or Halifax. We will tell you honestly whether your unit is in stock or source-to-order during the quote conversation.
Six Use Cases Where the 45HC Earns the Premium
1. Long-cargo storage and transport
Boats up to 44 feet, classic-car frames over 18 feet, structural lumber in standard 16-foot lengths (with end-spacing), large agricultural implements, and recreational vehicles such as travel trailers fit cleanly in a 45HC where a 40HC requires either disassembly or a bigger product. For one-time shipping use, a 45HC is sometimes the difference between a single-unit shipment and a flat-rack arrangement that costs significantly more.
2. Single-container ADU or studio dwelling
A 45HC One-Trip converted into a one-bedroom ADU yields about 320 square feet of finished interior floor space (versus 280 in a 40HC). That extra 40 square feet often determines whether the layout fits a separate sleeping room or has to settle for a studio. For Ontario residential conversions where municipal accessory-dwelling rules require a minimum bedroom footprint, the 45HC is sometimes the only single-container option that meets the minimum.
3. Workshop with rolling-vehicle bay or extended workbench
Mechanic shops fitting a full-size pickup with the rear bumper inside the closed cargo doors, woodworking shops running a 10-foot table saw outfeed plus a planer plus a router table in series, and welding shops with a 20-foot steel-rack length all benefit from the extra five feet. Below the 45ft mark these use cases require a 40HC plus a tool shed, or two 40s welded together. The 45 is the cleanest single-container solution.
4. 3PL extra-capacity overflow
Mid-sized 3PLs in the GTA who run pallet operations and want to maximize unit-density per box choose 45HC for the 27 percent volume bonus over 40HC at only 10 to 15 percent price premium. Cost per cubic foot of storage favours the 45 if the use case can fill the volume. Multi-bin orders of 4 to 8 45HCs are routine for larger 3PL operations.
5. Specialty equipment or material staging
Large equipment with non-standard dimensions, oversize crated machinery, and specialty material that needs to ship as a single unit benefit from the 45’s extra interior length. Heavy industrial buyers along the QEW and 401 industrial corridors order 45HCs specifically for this reason.
6. International cargo with maximum-CSC-rated volume
The 45HC is the largest box that still carries full ISO 1496-1 ocean-shipping certification. The 53ft is North American domestic only (no ocean cert), and flat-racks lose the weather-sealed envelope. For shippers who need both maximum single-piece volume AND ocean-shipping compliance, the 45HC is the only correct answer.
When a 40HC Beats a 45HC
Honest sizing conversation: about four out of five buyers asking about 45HC actually fit a 40HC. The 40 wins in these specific situations.
- Pallet count under 22. If your operation maxes out at 20 to 21 pallets, the 40HC matches at lower cost.
- Cargo fits inside a 40HC with room to spare. No volume benefit, just premium paid.
- Tight residential lot or industrial yard where the 5-foot longer trailer swing does not fit. The 40HC tilt-deck delivery has a 90-foot approach requirement; the 45HC needs about 100. Some sites do not have the extra 10 feet.
- Budget-conscious build where the unit price difference matters. The 1,200 to 1,800 CAD premium for a 45HC is meaningful for first-time buyers.
- Future resale. Used 40HC market is deep and liquid. Used 45HC market is thinner, with fewer buyers per unit, so resale takes longer.
Real 2026 Pricing for a 45HC Container Landed in Ontario
45s are quoted to your order
Forty-five-footers move between stocked-in-Brantford and source-to-order, so the honest answer is a dated quote, not a posted number. Stocked units quote same-day; sourced units come with a real lead time, not a hopeful one.
Quotes hold 14 days. Honest 2026 numbers. Lead time depends on standing inventory at our Brantford yard at the time of order, you should call or email and we tell you yes-in-stock or source-to-order before the quote.
The 1,000 Dollar Facebook Scam, 45HC Edition
The 45HC is a less-common Facebook scam target than the 20ft or 40HC because the price point is higher and the scammers need to invent more elaborate listings. But it does happen. Listings appear for 45HC One-Trip at $2,500 or 45HC CW at $1,500, with the same Toronto / Vaughan / Hamilton seller claim and the same $1,000 deposit ask. The container does not exist.
Defence: come walk our Brantford yard before you pay anything. We have between 6 and 12 45HCs in stock at any given time and a backlog of source-to-order units we can show on paperwork from the container terminal. You can read the CSC plate, verify the L5G1 ISO code, check the interior dimensions, and walk the cargo doors. No supplier in Ontario offering half-market pricing will let you inspect before payment, because there is no inspection to do. Our policy is no deposit on phantom inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a 45ft High Cube and a 40ft High Cube?
The 45HC is five feet longer than the 40HC at the same width and height. Internal length 44 feet 6 inches versus 39 feet 5 inches. Internal volume 3,040 cubic feet versus 2,390 (about 27 percent more space). Same 8-foot-10 interior height and 7-foot-8 width. The 45HC carries a price premium of approximately 10 to 15 percent over the equivalent grade in 40HC.
Why is the 45HC the largest container with ocean-shipping certification?
ISO 1496-1 standardizes container dimensions and load ratings for international ocean transport. The 45HC is the upper length limit within this standard. The 53ft container, which is even longer, is a North American domestic intermodal product (designed for road and rail in Canada and the United States only) and does not carry CSC ocean certification. If your application requires both maximum single-piece volume and ocean-shipping provenance, the 45HC is the only correct answer.
How much does a 45HC container cost in Ontario in 2026?
From Van Blanc in Brantford, 45HC pricing is quoted per order: stocked units quote same-day, source-to-order units come with a dated quote and a real lead time. Grade, sourcing, and delivery distance set the number. Tell us the use and the postal code and we will give you the honest all-in figure before you commit to anything.
Do you stock 45HC containers at your Brantford yard?
Yes, we hold a standing inventory of approximately 6 to 12 45HC units across our four Brantford yards at any given time. The mix between One-Trip and Cargo Worthy varies by season and supply. If your specific size and grade combination is not on the yard the week you call, we source-to-order with a 2 to 4 week lead time. We tell you honestly during the quote whether your unit is in stock or coming in.
Does the 45HC require special delivery considerations?
Yes, slightly. The tilt-deck driver needs approximately 100 feet of straight-line approach to the drop spot, versus 90 feet for a 40HC. About 35 feet of turning radius. Overhead clearance during transport is the same as a 40HC (approximately 13 feet on the trailer). For sites with tight rear access or overhead constraints, we coordinate a roadside drop plus a crane-lift to the final position, with the crane fee added to the quote.
How many pallets does a 45HC hold?
24 to 26 standard North American 40-by-48-inch pallets in a single layer, or 27 to 28 Euro pallets at 1200 by 800 mm. Double-stacked with stackable cargo and the count doubles to 48 to 52 NA pallets or 54 to 56 Euro pallets. The 45HC is the most pallet-dense single ocean-rated container available.
Can a 45HC be stacked into a multi-storey container build?
Yes, with engineering review. The ISO stacking load rating of a single container is 192 metric tonnes, which is well above what a two-stack or three-stack 45HC configuration applies. For residential or commercial multi-storey container builds in Ontario, a professional engineer (P.Eng.) review is the standard requirement, along with concrete pier foundations below the frost line for the four ground-floor corner castings.
What foundation does a 45HC container need?
For temporary placement under 18 months, packed gravel direct-on-grade works. For long-term residential or industrial placement, concrete piers below the frost line (1.2 metres in southern Ontario, deeper farther north) at the four corner castings is the right call. The container bears its weight entirely on the four corner castings, not across the full floor area. The 45HC’s slightly heavier tare weight (10,800 pounds versus 8,775 for the 40HC) does not meaningfully change foundation requirements.
How does Van Blanc compare to BigSteelBox for a 45HC order?
BigSteelBox is a national franchise with central dispatch. Lead times typically run 2 to 4 weeks even on standard sizes, pricing is higher on equivalent grades, and you do not see the physical box before it lands. Van Blanc is family-owned, four Brantford yards, 1 to 3 day lead times on in-stock units (2 to 4 weeks on source-to-order, same as BigSteelBox), and walk-the-yard inventory inspection before purchase. BigSteelBox is a legitimate business; the difference is structural. We are the local independent option for Ontario 45HC buyers.
Do you offer rent-to-own on 45HC containers?
Yes. Rent-to-own structures the cost as monthly payments that build equity in the container. After 24 to 36 months the container is yours. Particularly useful for container-home builders and commercial buyers running an extended use cycle who want to spread capital across an 18-to-24 month build window.
Sources
Placement requirements vary by municipality. A quick call to your local planning office before delivery is the easiest way to confirm what works for your property.
Reach Van Blanc in Brantford
Van Blanc Ent. Inc.
90 Morton Ave. East, Unit 1-B, Brantford, ON N3R 7J7
Cell: 519-754-6844
Toll-free: 1-888-509-6658
Family-owned and operated since 1995. Thirty years in Ontario shipping containers, four Brantford yards, 200-plus boxes in inventory across all sizes including a small standing inventory of 45HCs.