Why Packaging Choice Matters
Vegetable oil is a liquid commodity. How you containerize it directly affects your landed cost per ton, handling complexity, and shelf life after arrival. The four main options — flexitank, ISO tank, IBC and drums — each have distinct cost/capacity tradeoffs.
Option 1: Flexitank
A single-use large bladder (18,000-24,000 L capacity) fitted inside a standard 20ft container.
Capacity: 22 MT (20ft container) Cost: ~$180-$250 for the flexitank itself; ocean freight = standard 20ft rate Pros: - Lowest cost per MT of any option - Highest capacity in a 20ft container - Minimal handling — pump in, pump out - Single-use = no return logistics
Cons: - Single-use = disposal / recycling overhead at destination - Not reusable - Requires pump facility on arrival - Not suitable for short-shelf-life oils that need to drain quickly
Best for: Large volume shipments where you have pump infrastructure at destination.
Option 2: ISO Tank
A stainless-steel tank container (20ft or 40ft) designed for liquid cargo.
Capacity: 24-26 MT (20ft ISO tank), 45-50 MT (40ft) Cost: ~$900-$1,500 tank rental + ocean freight + return positioning Pros: - Highest capacity per container slot - Reusable, food-grade stainless - Heatable — good for stearin or cold climates - Very clean for specialty oils
Cons: - Tank rental + return positioning adds $500-$800 to cost - Not all ports have ISO tank handling infrastructure - Longer lead time (tank positioning)
Best for: High-value oils, specialty grades, long-haul routes where flexitank isn't feasible.
Option 3: IBC (1,000L Tote)
Plastic pallet-mounted tote, holds ~1 MT per unit.
Capacity: 18-20 IBCs per 20ft container = 18-20 MT Cost: ~$180-$280 per IBC Pros: - Reusable - Easy to handle with forklift - Good for drops at multiple locations - Can mix multiple oils in one container
Cons: - Lower total capacity than flexitank - Expensive per MT - Returnable logistics complexity
Best for: Distributors who need to split shipments, or buyers without pump facilities.
Option 4: 200L Drums
Steel or HDPE 200L drums.
Capacity: 80 drums per 20ft container = 16 MT Cost: ~$25-$40 per drum Pros: - Easy to handle manually - Good for retail/small-buyer distribution - Low investment per unit
Cons: - Lowest capacity per container — highest freight cost per MT - Labor-intensive to load/unload - Drum recycling adds cost
Best for: Small orders (LCL) or secondary distribution.
Landed Cost Comparison — 22 MT RBD Palm Oil to Jebel Ali
| Method | Capacity | Goods | Packaging | Freight | CIF Total | Per MT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexitank | 22 MT | $19,800 | $220 | $1,400 | $21,420 | $974/MT |
| ISO Tank | 25 MT | $22,500 | $1,200 | $1,600 | $25,300 | $1,012/MT |
| IBC (20×1 MT) | 20 MT | $18,000 | $5,000 | $1,400 | $24,400 | $1,220/MT |
| Drums (80×200L) | 16 MT | $14,400 | $2,800 | $1,400 | $18,600 | $1,163/MT |
Flexitank wins on cost per MT for this scenario. ISO tank competes when shipping larger volumes (40ft ISO tanks drop to ~$960/MT).
Our Recommendation
For most importers moving 22+ MT per order, start with flexitank — the lowest cost and simplest handling. Upgrade to ISO tank only if you ship 40+ MT per order and have the port infrastructure.
Need Packaging Advice?
Jit Aree Vegetable Oil ships in all four formats. Tell us your destination port and volume and we'll recommend the most cost-effective option. Get a packaging-specific quote.