A used IBC tote buying checklist

Six things to check when a used IBC tote arrives at your dock. We want you to find issues on day one, not three weeks in.

1. Cage geometry. Look at the tote head-on. The corner posts should be vertical. If the top frame is splayed outward, the cage is bowed and the bottle will struggle to seat properly inside it. Our reconditioned totes shouldn't have this; if yours does, call us.

2. Bottle inspection. Look down through the top fill cap. The bottle should be uniformly translucent, no cloudy films, no stains, no dark patches. Then look at the bottom of the bottle from outside the cage — it should be free of crazing (fine surface cracks) and free of bulges or thin spots.

3. Gasket condition. Open the top cap and inspect the gasket. It should be soft, intact, and fully seated. If it's torn, hardened, or visibly compressed flat, request a replacement (we sell EPDM at $6/set).

4. Valve operation. Open and close the outlet valve a few times. It should turn smoothly through its full range with positive open/close stops. A valve that's stiff or that doesn't fully close needs replacement.

5. UN labeling. If you bought a UN-rated tote (UN31HA1/Y for HDPE composite, UN31A/Y for stainless), the rating sticker should be visible on the cage. If it's not there or illegible, request the cert documentation.

6. Wash log (if applicable). For food-grade reconditioned totes, ask for the batch wash log. It should show prior contents, wash protocol, leak test result, and operator initials. If the seller can't produce one, the tote isn't really food-grade.

These are the same checks we run on every tote before it leaves our yard. If you find an issue on receipt of one of ours, email us a photo within 14 days and we'll swap it. After 14 days the warranty changes — see our Terms.

A pro tip: do this inspection at the dock before the truck leaves, not after. If something's wrong, the truck can take it back instead of you having to schedule a return shipment.