Abstract: An external protective shell shipping container into which is loaded a tightly closed primary container for dangerous materials. The protective container is designed to withstand crushing and impact loads in excess of those anticipated in the event of accident, and is also so designed that cracking or breaking of the external shell is taken into account to provide a part of the energy absorbing container design. The external contouring of the container shell avoids sharp corners and provides rounded and sloping surfaces for optimum shock load distribution.The illustrated container is for a long narrow load supported on shock mounts in a free float position within the shell container, the support points being inward from the ends which cantilevers the ends of both the outer shell container and the interior container. A special controlled crush structure is incorporated into the ends of the shell container, and special external contouring provides for ease of handling by fork lift vehicles.