Storage Containers for Sale: Shipping Containers or Industrial Totes and Barrels?
The best storage container for sale is the one that's certified for your specific material, sized to your volume, built from a compatible material (carbon steel, stainless steel or polyethylene) and backed by a manufacturer who can document testing and recertification. That's the short answer. The rest of this guide shows you how to check each part yourself.
The search "storage containers for sale" actually points two ways. Many top results are shipping (sea can) containers, usually 20 ft and 40 ft units sold new and used for site storage. Others are industrial totes, drums and tanks, the kind you'll find in storage container categories built for liquids and bulk materials.
We're covering the second group: IBC totes, barrels (drums) and storage tanks for hazardous and non-hazardous materials. If you need a steel box to store tools or equipment, a shipping container retailer is the right path.
Here's a quick test. If you're storing a liquid, powder or regulated product, you need a UN-certified or purpose-built container, not a cargo container. Cargo containers aren't designed to hold bulk product, and they don't carry the performance testing that regulated goods require.
By the end, you'll be able to do five things:
- Size a container to your real volume.
- Choose the right material.
- Verify compliance.
- Judge condition, new versus reconditioned.
- Vet a supplier.
If you're sourcing for a Canadian operation, our Chemical Tote Tanks Procurement Guide for Canada adds sourcing detail. In short, the right container is certified for your material, correctly sized, made from a compatible material and supported by documented testing and recertification.
How to Evaluate Storage Containers: 8 Criteria That Matter
Use these eight criteria in order. They run from the physical choice to the long-term cost.
- Container type
- Material
- Certification
- Canadian regulation
- Recertification and testing
- Industry fit
- Fittings and customization
- Total cost of ownership
1. Container type
IBC totes typically hold about 450 to 3,000 L, and the common size is 1,000 L (roughly 275 to 330 US gal). Drums or barrels hold about 205 L (55 US gal). Fixed or portable storage tanks go larger. Totes consolidate volume, while barrels suit small, dispersed or low-volume use. Our guide to IBC sizes and standards explains standard capacities.
This table compares the three types across the attributes that usually decide a purchase.
| Attribute | Tote (IBC) | Barrel (drum) | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical capacity | 450 to 3,000 L | About 205 L | Above 3,000 L |
| Common materials | Steel, stainless, poly | Steel, poly | Steel, stainless, poly |
| Cost per litre | Generally lower at volume | Higher at volume | Varies by build |
| Stackable | Yes, when rated | Yes, when rated | Usually no |
| Reusable | Yes, with recertification | Often limited | Yes |
| Best fit | Bulk transfer and storage | Small or dispersed batches | Fixed, high-volume storage |
Totes use a smaller footprint per litre than drums, can be forklifted and have larger discharge valves for faster transfer. Drums are easier to handle manually and suit small batches. For a deeper side-by-side, read IBC Totes vs Drums: Which Is Better for Industrial Storage and Transport.
2. Material
Carbon steel gives you durability, impact resistance and suitability for flammable or explosive products. Stainless steel suits corrosive, sanitary or high-purity needs. Polyethylene costs less upfront and is light, but it has more limited UV, impact and temperature tolerance. Our Steel vs Poly IBC Containers comparison goes further. You can also browse carbon steel IBC totes and tanks and stainless steel IBC totes and tanks.
3. Certification
Look for the UN marking. UN31A is the code for a rigid steel IBC used for liquids and solids. UN31H1 denotes a composite IBC with a plastic inner receptacle. Then check the packing group rating (I, II or III), which reflects your product's hazard level. Our Select Hazardous Material Containers Guide covers this in more depth.
4. Canadian regulation
In Canada, Transport Canada's TDG regulations require containers used to transport dangerous goods to meet approved standards. Ask for the specific design approval and confirm it covers your product, not just a similar one.
5. Recertification and testing
UN-certified IBCs need periodic inspection and testing, generally every 2.5 years for inspection and every 5 years for tests and inspections, depending on the standard. Confirm your supplier offers this service. Our overview of IBC tote testing, inspection, reconditioning and recertification shows what's involved.
6. Industry fit
- Mining: emulsion explosives require specific certification.
- Oil and gas: durability and static control matter most.
- Chemicals: compatibility and valve selection come first.
- Food and beverage: you need food-grade material, a sanitary finish and easy cleaning. See how to identify food-grade IBC totes.
- Transportation and logistics: stackability, handling and regulatory documentation.
7. Fittings and customization
Valves, lids, gaskets, liners and fittings must match your product's viscosity and chemistry. A thick product needs a different outlet than a thin solvent. Custom options matter for specialty applications.
8. Total cost of ownership
Compare the purchase price against lifespan, repair cost, recertification cost and downtime. A cheap tote that fails in a few years often costs more than a steel unit that lasts decades. We break this down in The True Cost of a Cheap IBC Tote.
New, reconditioned or recertified?
New containers give you full traceability and a warranty. Reconditioned or recertified units can be economical when the structure is sound. If the body is intact and only components need renewal, recertification beats replacement.
Red Flags When Buying Storage Containers
The biggest red flag is a container with no UN marking or missing certification documents. For regulated goods, that's a deal-breaker. A marking that doesn't match your product's packing group is just as bad.
Watch for these other warning signs:
- No design approval or test records. If the seller can't provide Transport Canada design approval or test documentation, walk away.
- Unknown prior contents. A used container with an unclear history risks contamination. That matters most for food-grade use, so review how to identify food-grade IBC totes before you buy.
- A price far below market. It usually means thin material, weak valves or expired certification. Cheaper totes often cost more over 10 years, as we explain in our cost comparison.
- Imported supply risks. Long lead times, shipping delays, unclear standards compliance and trouble getting replacement parts or service all add up.
- Outsourced components. When a fitting or weld fails, accountability gets split between parties. A vertically integrated manufacturer controls quality from raw material to finished container.
- Visible damage on used units. Dents near seams, corrosion, cracked poly or worn gaskets mean the unit needs inspection before use.
- Vague answers. Be wary if a supplier is fuzzy on lead times, custom fittings, remote-site delivery or recertification support.
A good container can still fail early if it's handled badly. Once you've bought, our guide on how to maximize IBC tote lifespan helps you protect the investment.
Storage Container Buyer Checklist (and How Hawman Meets It)
Here are ten verification items to confirm before purchasing any industrial storage container. Print this list and take it to every supplier conversation.
- Define the material and its hazard class.
- Confirm the volume you need.
- Choose a tote, barrel or tank.
- Verify the UN code and packing group.
- Confirm Transport Canada (TDG) approval.
- Check material compatibility with your product.
- Specify valves and fittings.
- Confirm the lead time.
- Confirm recertification support.
- Verify shipping to your location.
Hawman Container Services is a 100% Canadian, family-owned manufacturer in Barrie, Ontario. Here's how we measure up against that list:
- Certification: we're the only Canadian manufacturer of UN31A-certified steel IBC totes, and we hold over 24 Transport Canada approved IBC designs.
- Mining: we're the exclusive Canadian manufacturer of IBCs certified for emulsion explosive transport.
- Lead times: we're fully vertically integrated, from raw material to certified finished product. With 100,000+ sq. ft. across two Ontario facilities and no outsourcing, we keep tight control of schedules.
- Fittings and custom work: more than 40 years of field-driven engineering informs our custom fittings, valves and fluid handling systems.
- Recertification: our testing and recertification services extend container life, and our products have proven multi-decade durability.
- Shipping: we ship globally, including to remote locations, which reduces the supply risk of imported containers.
If you're sourcing for a Canadian operation, our procurement guide pairs well with this checklist. When you're ready to compare options, start with our IBC totes and IBC tanks, or visit hawman.com to talk to our team.
Storage Containers for Sale: Frequently Asked Questions
Are storage containers for sale the same as shipping containers?
No. Shipping containers are large steel cargo boxes for storing or moving goods. Industrial storage containers such as IBC totes, drums and tanks hold liquids, powders and regulated materials, and often need UN certification. Choose based on what you'll store.
Should I choose an IBC tote or a barrel?
Choose a tote for larger volumes (typically around 1,000 L), faster transfer and a smaller footprint per litre. Choose barrels (about 205 L) for small batches, manual handling or dispersed use. Cost per litre generally favours totes at volume. Our tote versus drum comparison covers the trade-offs.
What does UN31A mean on an IBC tote?
UN31A marks a rigid steel IBC certified for liquids under UN performance testing. The marking also shows the packing group rating and test details. Always check that it matches your product's hazard level.
Is steel or poly better for an IBC tote?
Steel offers superior durability, impact resistance and longevity, and stainless steel suits corrosive or sanitary products. Poly costs less upfront and is lighter but is more limited in impact, UV and temperature tolerance. Your product and duty cycle decide.
How often do UN-certified IBCs need recertification?
UN-certified IBCs require periodic inspection and testing, commonly on a cycle of about 2.5 and 5 years depending on the standard and design. Confirm the exact schedule with your supplier and the applicable regulation. Details on the process are in our recertification services overview.
Is a reconditioned IBC tote worth buying?
It can be, if the body is structurally sound, the history is documented and it's tested and recertified. Recertification often beats replacement for steel totes with sound structure, but new units suit unknown-history or high-hazard uses.
How do I know if an IBC tote is food-grade?
Check for food-grade material documentation, sanitary construction, a clean and documented prior-use history, and suitable valves and gaskets. Never assume a used tote is food-safe without verification.