USA IBC
RECYCLE
Transportation & Logistics

IBC Pickup & Delivery
Anywhere in the USA

From a single tote to a full truckload of 80 IBCs, we handle the logistics end to end. Dedicated fleet in the Midwest, nationwide carrier network everywhere else. You schedule it, we move it.

Request a Shipping Quote

Tell us the origin, destination, quantity, and timeline. We'll respond with FTL, LTL, and dedicated options within one business day.

Contact Information

Location & Shipping

Order Details

IBC totes loaded and secured on a transport truck

Nationwide

Coverage across all 48 states

FTL & LTL

Full and partial loads

GPS Tracked

Real-time shipment visibility

Coverage Area

Nationwide Coverage, Regional Expertise

We serve all 48 contiguous states from our Grand Rapids, MI hub. Transit times and service frequency vary by region — here is what to expect.

Midwest Hub (Same-Week)

1-3 business days transit

Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa

Our home territory. Dedicated fleet trucks run daily routes. Same-week pickup is standard, and next-day service is available for most locations.

Northeast Corridor

3-5 business days transit

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia

High-density industrial corridor with frequent LTL and FTL lanes. Partner carriers provide competitive rates and reliable transit times.

Southeast

4-6 business days transit

Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi

Growing coverage with weekly consolidated routes to Atlanta, Charlotte, and Jacksonville hubs. FTL service is available to any address.

South Central / Texas

4-7 business days transit

Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas

Major petrochemical and food-processing region. We maintain partner depot relationships in Houston, Dallas, and Kansas City for faster turnaround.

Mountain / West

5-8 business days transit

Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho

Longer transit due to distance from our Grand Rapids hub. FTL rates are most competitive for this region. LTL shipments route through Denver and Salt Lake City.

Pacific Coast

6-9 business days transit

California, Oregon, Washington

West Coast service via intermodal rail-truck or direct FTL. High-volume California lanes (LA, Central Valley, Bay Area) move weekly.

Shipping Options

FTL, LTL, Dedicated & Expedited

We offer multiple transportation modes to match your volume, budget, and timeline. Every option includes load tracking and proof-of-delivery documentation.

Full Truckload (FTL)

60-80 IBCs per 53' dry van

The most cost-effective way to move large quantities. A standard 53-foot dry van holds 60-80 composite IBCs stacked four-high (4 per pallet footprint x 15-20 pallet positions). Flatbed trailers accommodate the same count with the advantage of crane or side-forklift loading at facilities without dock access.

Best For:

Shipments of 60+ IBCs or when per-unit cost matters most.

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)

1-59 IBCs per shipment

For quantities below a full truckload, we consolidate your IBCs with other cargo on shared carriers. LTL shipments are palletized and shrink-wrapped to prevent shifting. Transit times are typically 3-7 business days depending on origin and destination within the continental US.

Best For:

Shipments of 1-59 IBCs or when you need flexible scheduling.

Dedicated Fleet Pickup

Scheduled routes, recurring service

Our own box trucks and flatbeds run scheduled routes throughout the Midwest corridor (MI, OH, IN, IL, WI, MN) and major metro areas nationwide. Dedicated pickups eliminate broker margins and give you a single point of contact from dispatch to delivery.

Best For:

Recurring pickups, buyback program participants, and regional customers.

Hot-Shot / Expedited

1-20 IBCs, same-week delivery

When time is critical, our expedited service dispatches a dedicated vehicle within 24-48 hours. Hot-shot loads move on sprinter vans (1-4 IBCs), straight trucks (5-20 IBCs), or exclusive-use trailers for larger urgent orders.

Best For:

Emergency needs, production-line shortages, or time-sensitive reconditioning jobs.

Loading Specs

Stacking & Loading Specifications

Proper stacking maximizes trailer utilization and prevents damage in transit. Follow these specifications for safe, efficient IBC transport.

Maximum Stack Height
4 totes (2 pallets x 2 per stack)

Per UN 31HA1 dynamic stacking test. Never exceed 4-high during transport.

Pallet Footprint
48" x 40" (standard GMA)

Both wood and plastic IBC pallets fit the standard 48x40 footprint.

Individual Tote Weight (Empty)
~130 lbs (275 gal) / ~145 lbs (330 gal)

Includes cage, bottle, pallet, valve, and lid.

Individual Tote Weight (Full)
~2,400 lbs (275 gal) / ~2,900 lbs (330 gal)

Water at 8.34 lbs/gal. Actual weight varies by product density.

Trailer Floor Capacity
44,000-45,000 lbs (dry van)

Legal gross vehicle weight limits the load, not trailer volume for full IBCs.

Securement Method
Load bars + ratchet straps + edge protectors

Per FMCSA 49 CFR 393.100. Minimum 1 tiedown per 2 rows of stacked IBCs.

Scheduling & Tracking

Flexible Scheduling. Full Visibility.

We work around your production schedule, not the other way around. Pickups can be scheduled for specific days and time windows, including early morning, evening, and weekend appointments for facilities with limited weekday dock availability.

Every shipment receives a unique tracking number linked to our logistics management system. You get automated email or SMS notifications at key milestones: dispatch, pickup confirmation, in-transit checkpoints, and proof-of-delivery with photographic documentation.

For recurring customers, we provide a dedicated logistics coordinator who manages your account, handles scheduling changes, resolves exceptions, and provides monthly reporting on shipping volumes, costs, and on-time performance metrics.

48
States Covered
98%
On-Time Rate
24hr
Dispatch Response
Real-Time
Shipment Tracking
Save on Freight

Cost-Saving Tips for Shipping IBCs

Freight is often the biggest variable cost in IBC management. These practical strategies can reduce your shipping spend by 20–50%.

Ship Full Truckloads Whenever Possible

The per-unit freight cost drops dramatically at FTL volumes. A full truckload of 80 empty IBCs might cost $2,500-$4,000 cross-country ($31-$50 per IBC), while shipping 10 units LTL on the same lane could run $80-$120 each.

Consolidate Pickups Across Facilities

If your company has multiple locations in the same metro area, scheduling one multi-stop pickup is far cheaper than dispatching separate trucks to each site.

Stack Four-High to Maximize Cube

Empty IBCs are cube-limited, not weight-limited. Stacking 4-high (the maximum safe transport height) doubles the number of totes per trailer versus 2-high loading.

Use Backhaul Opportunities

Trucks delivering new or reconditioned IBCs to your area often return empty. Ask about backhaul rates for your buyback or recycling shipments — they can be 30-50% below standard lane pricing.

Set Up Recurring Scheduled Routes

Recurring pickups on a set schedule (weekly, biweekly, monthly) qualify for contracted rates that are 15-25% below spot-market pricing. Volume commitments lock in stable costs.

Prepare IBCs for Efficient Loading

Stage your IBCs on a flat, forklift-accessible surface near your loading dock. Pre-stacked pallets and clear access reduce driver dwell time, which keeps accessorial charges off your invoice.

Documentation

Tracking & Shipping Documentation

Bill of Lading (BOL)

Standard VICS BOL issued for every shipment, documenting origin, destination, piece count, weight, and commodity description. Required for freight claims.

Proof of Delivery (POD)

Signed delivery receipt with date, time, piece count verification, and photographic confirmation. Emailed to you within hours of delivery completion.

Shipment Tracking

Real-time GPS tracking for dedicated fleet loads. Carrier-provided milestone tracking for LTL and FTL partner shipments. Automated status notifications via email or SMS.

Freight Invoice

Itemized invoice showing base freight, fuel surcharge, and any accessorials (liftgate, lumper, detention). No hidden fees — what we quote is what you pay.

Packing List

Detailed packing list with IBC serial numbers (when applicable), condition grade, pallet count, and stack configuration for inventory reconciliation at destination.

Insurance Certificate

All shipments are covered under our freight liability insurance. Certificates of insurance are available upon request for high-value or specialized loads.

FAQ

Transportation & Logistics Questions

How many IBC totes fit on a truck?
A standard 53-foot dry van holds 60 to 80 empty composite IBCs stacked four-high across 15 to 20 pallet positions. Filled totes are weight-limited rather than cube-limited, so a fully loaded trailer typically carries about 18 full 275-gallon IBCs before reaching the legal 44,000 to 45,000 lb gross weight limit.
Do you ship to all 50 states?
We serve all 48 contiguous states from our Grand Rapids, Michigan hub. Transit ranges from 1 to 3 days in the Midwest to 6 to 9 days on the Pacific Coast. Alaska and Hawaii are handled case by case through intermodal and ocean partners; contact us for a custom quote.
What is the difference between FTL and LTL shipping?
Full truckload (FTL) dedicates an entire trailer to your 60-plus IBCs at the lowest per-unit cost. Less-than-truckload (LTL) consolidates 1 to 59 palletized totes with other cargo on shared carriers, which costs more per unit but offers flexible scheduling for smaller quantities.
How high can IBC totes be safely stacked for transport?
Composite IBCs may be stacked a maximum of four-high during transport, in line with the UN 31HA1 dynamic stacking test. Loads are secured with load bars, ratchet straps, and edge protectors per FMCSA 49 CFR 393.100, using at least one tiedown for every two rows of stacked totes.
Can I track my IBC shipment?
Yes. Every shipment receives a tracking number tied to our logistics system, with real-time GPS on dedicated fleet loads and milestone tracking on partner FTL and LTL lanes. You get automated email or SMS alerts at dispatch, pickup, in-transit checkpoints, and proof of delivery with photos.

Let Us Handle the Logistics

Whether you are shipping 1 IBC or 1,000, we have the fleet, the carrier network, and the expertise to move your containers safely and on time.

Get Quote