55 Gallon UN-Rated Open Head Steel Shipping Drum
1. Make sure you’re using the best type of barrel for your application.
One great thing about shipping barrels is that they’re available from Air Sea Containers in several material types, each with its own strong points. We offer three main types of shipping barrels:- Steel shipping barrels, an extremely durable and perennially popular shipping method
- Plastic shipping barrels, another great choice that is substantially lighter and, thus, less expensive to ship than steel barrels
- Fiberboard shipping barrels, a cost-effective way to ship bulk dry goods
- What you’re shipping—a polyethylene plastic drum, for example, is usually the preferred style for shipping food and beverages
- Which type of barrel is required by any UN or DOT hazmat regulations if you’re shipping hazmat goods
- What your shipping budget is—steel barrels cost more to ship but less to ensure
- Whether you can safely ship your product in reconditioned barrels—the FDA does not allow this for food, beverages and other products for human consumption
2. Get the paperwork squared away, especially if you’re shipping hazmat goods.
Properly filed and maintained paperwork keeps everyone safe and also makes processes move more efficiently. Hazmat goods, in particular, need scrupulous attention to paperwork every step of the way. For hazmat shippers, it’s a good idea to have copies of relevant shipping regulations available for quick reference while you’re filling out paperwork. Air Sea Containers also offers Dangerous Goods Shipper's Declaration Forms, the standard set of hazmat transit forms that you’ll need to fill out in full.3. Lock down your temperature control solutions.
If you need to keep a product above or below a certain temperature, you can use several methods to address temperature control. The best and most reliable is to work with a carrier that offers temperature-controlled shipping, usually in the form of refrigerated but also sometimes heated trailers. If you don’t need full-fledged temperature-controlled shipping, you can also use packaging materials such as Air Sea Containers’ non-toxic, reusable refrigerant gel packs, which are safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than dry ice. When you need warming power, ASC also offers barrel heating jackets for each type of barrel, as well as high-performance ceramic drum warmers like the InteliHeat® Thermosafe® line.4. Double-check the sealing systems on all barrels.
Make sure to pay close attention to the methods you’re using to seal your barrels for transport. If you’re using open-top barrels, ensure that the barrels’ ring seal and bolt are intact and locked in place. If you’re using welded drums, check all of their bungs and/or screw caps to ensure that they’re securely fastened.5. Secure your barrels to minimize shifting during transport.
For the safety of your goods, the people transporting them, and everyone else on the road, it’s important to make sure your barrels are properly secured before you send them on their way. They should be secured in a way that both promotes safety and makes employees’ jobs easier. Organizing your barrels on pallets will make them much easier to track and handle since they can’t be picked up with a forklift or pallet jack if they’re sitting on the floor. You should also use plastic shrink wrap, straps or another method to secure your barrels to their pallets so that they don’t shift during transport, potentially exposing them to dangerous impacts. Reusable dunnage air bags from Air Sea are another great option for keeping your goods in place.
Steel and plastic shipping barrels are among the world’s most common and reliable shipping methods—and for good reason. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on the road to a successful shipment. We’d love to tell you more about the durability and versatility of our shipping barrel solutions—call Air Sea Containers at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online for more information! 
