Cube utilization

Cube utilization is the share of a container's or trailer's volume that your cargo occupies. A 40ft container holds about 67 CBM; loading 47 CBM of cartons is 70% utilization. Anything above 80% is good for palletized freight; floor-loaded uniform cartons can reach 90%+.

The biggest levers: right-sizing cartons to pallet dimensions (a carton grid that leaves a 4-inch margin around a 48×40 pallet wastes 15% instantly), choosing the pallet standard that matches the container (Euro pallets fit a container's 2.35 m width better than GMA), mixing carton orientations per layer, and cutting box air — half-empty master cartons are the most common utilization killer.