Types of Containers

Dangerous goods may be transported in a variety of container types. In some cases, the good is transported directly in a specified container without additional packaging. Some goods must be placed in several different packagings before they are considered properly packaged. Packagings are permitted to conform to more than one tested design type. Three primary types of containers are referred to in Part 4, as follows:

• Tank - a receptacle to contain solids, liquids or liquefied gases. This can refer to a portable tank, a road tank-vehicle, or a rail tank-wagon.
• Intermediate bulk container or IBC - a rigid or flexible portable packaging designed for mechanical handling and resistant to the stresses of handling during transport.
• Bulk containers - containment systems intended for the transport of solid substances and articles that are carried in direct contact with the container.

Bulk containers are permanent, reusable containers designed for multi-modal transport without intermediate packing and unpacking. Examples of bulk containers are freight containers, offshore bulk containers, skips, bulk bins, trough-shaped containers, and roller containers. Despite the similarity in the terms, IBCs are not considered a type of bulk container.

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