IBC vs drums: choosing the right format for your bulk oil
When your volume is not yet a full bulk load, the real decision most industrial buyers face is between two palletised formats: the IBC and the 200 kg drum.
Both preserve the oil equally well — the choice comes down to your logistics and how you consume it. This is the comparison we walk through with our customers.
The two formats in short
The IBC (intermediate bulk container) is a palletised 600–950 kg container with a discharge valve. The drum holds 200 kg in steel or food-grade plastic. Both move with an ordinary forklift and require no bulk unloading installation at destination.
Real capacity: what fits in a 20-ft container
Loaded with IBCs, a standard 20-ft container carries up to around 19 tonnes of oil. Loaded with 200 kg drums, around 16 tonnes. If you buy full containers, those extra ~3 tonnes per box translate directly into a lower freight cost per kilo with IBCs.
Handling: where the IBC is simply more convenient
The IBC’s discharge valve connects straight to your pump: less manipulation, faster emptying and far fewer packages to manage — one IBC replaces roughly five drums. It also stacks efficiently in the warehouse.
Drums keep the advantage when you consume at several points, dose in small batches, or redistribute the oil in smaller units downstream.
Conservation: practically a tie
Both formats are food-grade and sealed, and both protect the oil equally well. Shelf life at destination depends far more on light, temperature and oxygen management than on the container itself. Nitrogen blanketing is available on request in either format for oxidation-sensitive oils.
And when your volume reaches full bulk?
From roughly 20 tonnes of a single oil per shipment, full-bulk formats come into play — and there the destination decides: flexitank inside a sea container for intercontinental shipments, stainless-steel road tanker for door-to-door European deliveries. It is not one versus the other; each route has its format.
Our advice: tell us how you use the oil
There is no universally “best” format — there is a best format for your use, destination and volume. Tell us how you receive, store and consume the oil, and San Antonio Oils will recommend the option with the best real landed cost per kilo, with samples and full documentation either way.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilos of oil fit in a 20-ft container?
With IBCs, up to around 19 tonnes. With 200 kg drums, around 16 tonnes. With a flexitank, 22–24 tonnes of a single oil.
Does oil keep better in IBCs or drums?
Practically the same — both are sealed, food-grade formats. What matters for shelf life is storage at destination: light, temperature and oxygen. Nitrogen blanketing is available in both.
Can I combine IBCs and drums in one container?
Yes. Mixed containers — several oils, several formats — are common for first orders and multi-product customers.
Do you handle the logistics?
Yes. We quote EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP as you prefer, and organise the format that fits your operation from our facilities in Spain.
Sourcing bulk oils?
Tell us the oil, volume and destination — our export team replies with availability and pricing.
Request a quote