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A Complete Guide to Shipping Barrel Items

Published by Joe Webster.

A Complete Guide to Shipping Barrel Items

Although not the most common method of transporting goods, shipping barrels is a more cost-effective option. In addition, shipping barrels can transport items to various parts of the world more economically.

Three delivering drums, including plastic and steel barrels and fibreboard shipping tubes, are available for transporting goods. As you may be aware, some materials cannot be packed in specific shipping casks made of various materials. For example, hazardous or toxic chemicals cannot be packed into a metal shipping barrel because steel is corrosive.

Moreover, knowing what you are and are not allowed to transport via logistics drums is handy when deciding how to transport your cargo. When undertaking such a task, one needs to do as much research as possible; otherwise, you may fail at hauling things using shipping barrels safely and effectively.

Hauling barrels are handy for shipping industrial solvents, chemicals, dry goods, and more. Importing these goods is easy and less expensive; however, some things should not be packed into shipping barrels.

Which Items To Avoid When Using Transport Drums:

There are many different aspects to consider when using barrels, such as temperature and the length of the journey. There is a need to consider many factors as to why shipping companies cannot ship certain items using Shipment firkins. Following the rules and regulations of a country when it comes to importing or exporting goods is very important because if you don't, you stand a chance of losing your income or livelihood and being sanctioned in the country you want to haul things to. Below, we will list items that should be prohibited when dispatching casks are used to transport goods.

1. Food That Needs To Be Refrigerated:

The reason for food not being allowed in shipping barrels is the apparent reason for it rotting on the way to its destination. As you can imagine, this would become highly unhygienic and waste resources and money. Therefore, one would need to find another way to transport food that needs to be refrigerated.

2. Fresh Food:

The reason fresh food is not allowed in shipping barrels is the same as the above. There is no chance that fresh food would survive the journey, resulting in the food rotting, and attracting vermin to the shipping barrel. Moreover, the rotting food would facilitate germs, resulting in viruses spreading.

3. Live Animals:

Not only does transporting live animals go against various laws, but it also falls under the animal cruelty issue. Moreover, there is no way of knowing whether or not the live animals would survive the trip.

a lady on a storage

4. Flammable and Explosive Materials:

Transporting flammable and explosive materials needs to be done in a very safe and secure manner. For example, loading flammable and combustible materials into shipping barrels will threaten every person who comes into contact with the cargo. Moreover, if the flammable or explosive shipping barrel items were to ignite, there would be much damage caused and may even result in death.

5. Matches, Wet Batteries, or Fireworks:

Similarly to flammable and explosive materials, matches, wet batteries, or fireworks should not be loaded into shipping barrels. Hauling these objects would be very risky and pose a significant threat to the cargo and any person coming into contact with the shipment.

6. Clothing Made From Skins or the By-products of Endangered Animals:

Clothing made from skins or the by-products of endangered animals is prohibited in delivery drums because this goes against local customs and regulations. Moreover, transporting by-products of animals can quickly become hazardous to life and threaten anyone who comes into contact with the shipping barrel.

7. Poisons:

Another prohibited item is transporting poisons via transit barrels, and this is because shipping barrels are not secure enough. Toxins and poisons pose a high risk of leakages, causing poisonous materials to leak into the ocean or within the ship. Therefore, one should use highly secure methods of transporting poisons.

8. Radioactive Substances:

Again, radioactive substances would pose a significant threat if hauled via moving casks. If not appropriately packaged, radiation would seep through the packaging and make its way into the plastic of the shipping barrels. Using transporting barrels to transport radioactive substances is not secure enough.

Moreover, there are a few other items that one should avoid when using shipping barrels, such as:

  • drugs or medicines
  • pornographic literature
  • vegetable matter
  • animal exhibits or skins without the appropriate import and export licenses
  • firearms
  • meat products
  • perishable items

Therefore, we can see that using shipping barrels to transport certain items is complex and should be considered serious. Moreover, it is essential to note that a company could face severe sanctions if it does not adhere to the regulations and customs of each country it is transporting items to or from.

Products To Be Declared On Entry:

You will need to declare the following items when entering a new country using shipping barrels:

  • alcohol
  • new purchases
  • perfumes
  • tobacco products
  • personal and valuable items
  • collections
a small plastic drums
Pinned
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Which Things Can Go In Hauling Casks:

However, many items are indeed allowed in shipping barrels. These items would be deemed safer than those mentioned above and would, in turn, not pose any threat or harm any person who may come into contact with the cargo. Such items include:

1. Kitchenware and Kitchen Essentials:

These shipping barrel items would not threaten the health or life of anyone who came into contact with the cargo.

2. Dried Food:

Dried food has no way of causing harm to anyone or to rotting on the journey. So, the only thing to consider would be to ensure that the food is still within its 'sell-by' date by the time the cargo is delivered.

3. Tinned Food and Jarred or Bottled Food:

These foods are always an excellent transport option using shipping barrels as they can last longer and usually have an extended 'sell-by' date.

4. Household Objects:

Again, household items are safe to transport using shipping barrels as they pose no threat to anyone who may encounter the cargo.

5. Toiletries:

Toiletries are safe to transport using shipping barrels. Therefore, they can be useful if a family in a country has just experienced a natural disaster or is poverty-stricken. Toiletries also have extended use-by dates and can be stored for a long time.

6. Cleaning Supplies:

Although cleaning materials may pose a risk to anyone using them, they are securely packaged and stored within the hauling casks.

7. First Aid Materials:

As mentioned above, transporting first aid materials using shipment drums would be helpful if a country had just experienced a natural disaster or was poverty-stricken.

8. Clothing and Soft Furnishings:

Because it is soft, clothing and soft furnishings can be transported via shipping barrels. Therefore, this cargo would not pose a risk on the journey.

9. School Materials:

School supplies can be transported via shipping barrels, which is a great idea when wanting to send relief or aid to another country that has just experienced upheaval.

10. Hurricane Resources:

These items go hand-in-hand with the first aid supplies and are a great choice to send in aid of any natural disaster that has occurred or in a country torn apart by war and violence.

plastic drums on a wooden pallet

So, if you consider transporting goods using shipping barrels, ensure that A1 AT can help you through the process. We are familiar with the rules and regulations to adhere to when using transit barrels. We can deliver timely and professional services, making you feel at ease throughout the process. Our team has the knowledge and skills to make transporting things via shipping barrels an easy and smooth experience.

Now that you know the list of prohibited items and items allowed in shipping barrels, you can decide whether dispatch casks are the right choice for transporting goods. Unfortunately, there are many things to consider when hauling products using shipping barrels, and knowing the rules and regulations surrounding importing or exporting items is not always easily accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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