20FT700 Foldable Modular Cabin — Spec Sheet for Ireland
The 20FT700 is the multi-unit logistics model — designed to fold to just 700 mm wide so six finished cabins load into a single 40HQ container. The per-unit shipping cost drops to a fraction of standard expandable models, making the 20FT700 the right choice for holiday-park developers, on-site project accommodation, and multi-unit investor programmes.
Last reviewed:
- ~25 m² Internal floor area
- 6 sets Per 40HQ container
- 1,950 kg Net weight (empty)
20FT700 Foldable — dimensions & logistics
| Expanded (deployed) | L5,900 × W4,800 × H2,480 mm |
|---|---|
| Internal clear dimensions | L5,460 × W4,640 × H2,240 mm |
| Folded (shipping) | L5,900 × W700 × H2,480 mm |
| Internal floor area | ~25 m² |
| Net weight (empty) | 1,950 kg (1.95 t) |
| Container loading | 6 sets per 40HQ container |
| Typical Irish use | Multi-unit projects, holiday parks, site accommodation, investor programmes |
What Irish buyers need to know
The 20FT700 is the logistics-optimised cousin of the 20ft Expandable. Where the 20ft Expandable folds to standard 2.2 m container width and ships two units per 40HQ container, the 20FT700 folds further — to just 700 mm wide — so six units load to the same container. The per-unit shipping cost from China to Dublin drops from approximately €1,500 to under €600.
At ~25 m² internal the 20FT700 is smaller than the 20ft Expandable, accommodating a studio-cabin layout rather than a full one-bedroom unit. The model is designed for buyers whose business model is unit-volume rather than individual luxury — holiday-park developers building out a 20-cabin scheme, contractors fitting out site accommodation for a multi-month project, and investor programmes assembling micro-housing portfolios.
The foldable wall construction is structurally distinct from the standard expandable — the side walls fold inward like a concertina rather than hinging down. This adds about half a day to the on-site expansion process but is what enables the 700 mm shipping width. Production base is the same Zhengzhou / Xinxiang Henan cluster as the rest of the Ériu range, with the same factory-floor QC programme.
The Ériu standard, every model
Every model in the Ériu range is built to the same structural specification regardless of size — a 9.0 mm channel steel base frame, 1.3 mm container-grade steel roof plate, 18 mm sandwich panel walls (rock-wool standard, PIR / PUR upgrade on request to bring Irish Part L compliance into reach), and double-glazed aluminium-framed openings. Production is in the Zhengzhou and Xinxiang Henan corridor, the world's primary cluster for this product type. Every order is inspected at the factory by Ériu QC before the container is sealed.
20FT700 Foldable — questions answered
Why is the 20FT700 lighter than the 20ft Expandable?
The 20FT700 is 1.95 tonnes empty versus 3.4 tonnes for the standard 20ft Expandable. The lighter weight reflects the smaller floor area (~25 m² versus ~34 m²) and the concertina-style folding wall construction, which uses slightly thinner steel sections than the standard expandable. The 20FT700 is rated for residential occupation in the same way as the rest of the range; the weight saving comes from the geometry rather than the spec.
How does the per-unit shipping cost compare?
Six 20FT700 units load to a single 40HQ container, versus two 20ft Expandable units per 40HQ. At current ocean-freight rates of approximately €3,000 per 40HQ container Shenzhen to Dublin, the per-unit freight cost for a 20FT700 is approximately €500 versus approximately €1,500 for a 20ft Expandable. On a 20-unit holiday-park order the freight saving alone is approximately €20,000.
Is the 20FT700 suitable for Irish back-garden auxiliary dwelling use?
Possible but unusual. At ~25 m² internal the 20FT700 sits below the lower bound (32 m²) drafted in the April 2026 Exempted Development Regulations, which means it would not qualify for the planning exemption. For single-unit back-garden auxiliary dwellings the 20ft Expandable is the standard recommendation. The 20FT700 makes sense when shipping cost matters more than maximum internal floor area — typically when the buyer is ordering multiple units.
Compare the 20FT700 Foldable with the rest of the Ériu range
20ft Expandable
The compact back-garden unit. One to three bedrooms, ~34 m² internal.
Open the 20ft Expandable spec → 30ft Expandable Model30ft Expandable
The mid-size unit. Comfortable two-bedroom layout, ~52 m² internal.
Open the 30ft Expandable spec → 40ft Expandable Model40ft Expandable
The full home. Two or three bedrooms, ~70 m² internal.
Open the 40ft Expandable spec →Get a quote for the 20FT700 Foldable
Send your site address, principal-dwelling status, and target finish spec. We come back with a delivered-to-site Ireland quote, Henan factory shortlist, and the foundation drawing for your build team.