Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU)

What Is a Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU)?

A Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) is a standard measure in container shipping that represents the size of a 40-foot shipping container. It’s commonly used to calculate freight capacity, pricing, and terminal volume—just like its counterpart, the TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit).

FEU = One 40-Foot Container

Here’s what a standard 40-foot container typically measures:

1 FEU = 2 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)

Where Is FEU Used?

1. Shipping Line Pricing
   Most freight rates for FCL (Full Container Load) shipments are quoted per FEU or per 40HQ (40’ High Cube) unit.

2. Port Statistics
   Ports and terminals measure cargo throughput in TEU. One FEU counts as 2 TEU, even if it doesn’t hold exactly twice the volume.

3. Logistics Planning
   FEU helps shippers compare per-unit shipping costs, especially when choosing between 20ft, 40ft, and 40HQ options.

FEU vs. 40HC (High Cube)

A 40HQ container is still considered 1 FEU, even though it holds more volume.

When Should You Use an FEU?

• You have more than 25–28 CBM of goods to ship

• Your cargo is bulky, long, or tall

• You want better value per cubic meter than LCL or 20ft options

• You’re planning door-to-door FCL shipments from China to major destinations (e.g., USA, UK, EU)