When you plan shipments in containers, one of the first things you need to know is how much you can actually fit inside. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central lets you calculate the content and value of a container based on your sales order or transfer order lines, so you can pick the right container size and see whether there is room for more goods.
You can see the calculated volume, the number of packages, and the total weight of the goods you have planned for a container. Use this to choose the container size or to check whether you can add more lines to a container you have already selected.
For example, a 20-foot container can carry around 35.5 cubic meters. If you have only planned 21 cubic meters, the container is roughly 60% full. When you notice you are filling it to about 75% or less, you can add more sales order lines to use the remaining space.
How container content calculation works in Business Central
When you start planning a container, you add lines to it from your sales orders or transfer orders. As you add the lines, Business Central calculates the content and value for you. This gives you a clear picture of the volume, the number of packages, and the weight inside the container.
Based on these numbers, you decide whether the size you selected fits the goods, or whether you need a larger or smaller container.
Filling a container to make better use of the space
The calculation also helps you avoid shipping half-empty containers. If a 20-foot container holds about 35.5 cubic meters and you have only planned 21 cubic meters, there is clearly room for more. You can keep adding sales order lines until you reach a sensible fill rate.
This is one of the key parts of container planning. You see the available capacity, compare it to what you have planned, and add more goods when it makes sense.
Q&A
How do you calculate how much goods fit into a container in Business Central?
When you add sales order or transfer order lines to a container, Business Central calculates the content and value automatically. You can see the calculated volume, the number of packages, and the total weight, and use this to select the right container size.
How much can a 20-foot container hold?
A 20-foot container can carry around 35.5 cubic meters of goods.
How do you know if you can add more goods to a container?
Compare the calculated volume of the goods you have planned with the capacity of the container. If the container is only partly full, for example around 60% or 75%, you can add more sales order lines to use the remaining space.