Importing a Full Container of Olive Oil

Q: Should you import a full container (FCL) or a smaller volume?

Import a full container (FCL) as soon as your volume approaches its capacity: freight is then spread across the whole cargo, which gives the lowest cost per tonne . Below that, a partial volume (a few IBCs or drums) costs more per litre but reduces risk — ideal for a first import or a channel test. The rule: FCL rewards volume. If you don

Q: How much oil in a full container?

A standard 20' container holds roughly 22,000 L of oil in a flexitank (one per container), 20,000 L in IBCs (20 × 1,000 L) or 8,000 to 8,640 L in drums (40 × 200-216 L). Litres convert to weight using a density of 0.913 kg/L : a 22,000 L flexitank weighs ≈ 20,086 kg of net oil. Packaging Volume / 20' Net weight (≈ ×0.913) Advantage ------

Q: What is a full container (FCL) for olive oil?

FCL (Full Container Load) means the whole container is reserved for your order, unlike groupage (LCL) where several shippers share the same container. For bulk olive oil, FCL in a flexitank offers the lowest cost per tonne as soon as the volume fills the container.

Q: How many litres in a full container of olive oil?

A 20' holds roughly 22,000 L in a flexitank (1 per container), 20,000 L in IBCs (20 × 1,000 L) or 8,000 to 8,640 L in drums (40 × 200-216 L). Convert to weight with a density of 0.913 kg/L to check the payload.

Q: Should you start with a full container or a smaller volume?

For a first import, it's better to test small : a few IBCs or drums validate quality and channel at lower risk. The full container becomes the right choice once the outlet is proven and cash flow is available, to obtain the best cost per tonne.

Q: Why does weight matter as much as volume when importing a container?

Because a container has a payload in kilos , not just a volume. Bulk is quoted by net weight (density 0.913 kg/L). A container can be full in litres but overloaded in gross weight, which triggers a refusal at loading. The litres → kilos conversion is essential before quoting.

Q: FOB or CIF to import a full container?

Both work. In FOB , you control the freight and compare forwarders; in CIF , the exporter delivers a price to port, simpler to manage for a first FCL. Avoid DDP as long as the relationship with the supplier is not proven. --- Ready to cost your full container? Request a quote: we quote by format and incoterm, with net weight, landed cost

Guide

In brief. Importing a full container (FCL) of olive oil means booking an entire container for your order — instead of sharing a groupage shipment (LCL). A 20' flexitank carries ~22,000 L (≈ 20,000 kg of oil); it delivers the lowest cost per tonne. FCL becomes attractive as soon as your volume approaches a container's capacity: freight is spread across the whole cargo. Before ordering, calculate the landed cost (oil + packaging + freight + insurance + duties) and lock down your sample, incoterm and payment. Below that threshold, a few IBCs or drums are better for testing.

Thinking about importing a full container of olive oil? This is the step that optimises cost per tonne — but only if your volume and your channel justify it. This guide explains what an FCL import involves: capacities, MOQ, landed cost, and above all when it is the right choice rather than a more modest volume.

Should you import a full container (FCL) or a smaller volume?

Import a full container (FCL) as soon as your volume approaches its capacity: freight is then spread across the whole cargo, which gives the lowest cost per tonne. Below that, a partial volume (a few IBCs or drums) costs more per litre but reduces risk — ideal for a first import or a channel test.

The rule: FCL rewards volume. If you don't fill the container, you pay for "empty" freight. It's then better to test small, validate quality and outlet, then move to a full container once the channel is proven. To frame category and format, see our olive oils.

How much oil in a full container?

A standard 20' container holds roughly 22,000 L of oil in a flexitank (one per container), 20,000 L in IBCs (20 × 1,000 L) or 8,000 to 8,640 L in drums (40 × 200-216 L). Litres convert to weight using a density of 0.913 kg/L: a 22,000 L flexitank weighs ≈ 20,086 kg of net oil.

Packaging	Volume / 20'	Net weight (≈ ×0.913)	Advantage
Flexitank	~22,000 L	≈ 20,086 kg	Lowest cost/tonne
IBC (20 × 1,000 L)	20,000 L	≈ 18,260 kg	Separable lots
Drums (40 × 200-216 L)	8,000-8,640 L	≈ 7,304-7,888 kg	Small lots, handling

Capacities July 2026, indicative, to be confirmed with your freight forwarder. It is often the gross weight, not the volume, that limits the load.

How to calculate the landed cost of a full container

The origin price is only a starting point. The real comparison is the landed cost, which adds up:

Oil: FOB price × net weight of the container.
Packaging: flexitank, IBC or drums.
Sea freight: spread across the whole cargo in FCL.
Transport insurance: for the goods and the freight.
Customs duties and taxes: depending on your market (watch out for the EU quota, exhausted every year — outside the quota, the duty climbs).
Import VAT and customs clearance fees.

The landed cost is then brought back to the kilo or the litre to compare it with your selling price. An attractive FOB price can be wiped out by underestimated freight or duties. Customs benchmarks by destination on our export markets pages.

When a full container becomes the right choice

Your volume fills (or nearly fills) the container. Below that, "empty" freight inflates the cost per litre.
Your channel is validated. You have already tested quality and sold a first lot; the outlet is secure.
You are after the best cost per tonne. An FCL flexitank is unbeatable on large, homogeneous volumes.
Your cash flow can handle it. A full container ties up more cash than an IBC — anticipate the working capital requirement.

If even one of these points is missing, an intermediate volume (IBC, drums) remains wiser for a first commitment.

Box: the 3 reflexes before ordering an FCL

Validate a sample + COA before any container. Category and freshness are verified, not assumed — especially on 20 tonnes.
Quote by net weight and check the payload. A container "full in litres" can be refused at loading for excess gross weight.
Secure payment for the first FCL. Deposit + balance against documents, or a confirmed letter of credit. You don't pay for 20 tonnes fully in advance to an unproven supplier.

The classic mistake

Ordering a full container on the very first import, without a validated sample, without having tested the sales channel and without having costed your market's duties. Frequent result: 20 tonnes on the quay pricier than expected, or a category that doesn't match the outlet. FCL rewards controlled volume — not haste. Test small, validate, then scale up to the full container.

FAQ

What is a full container (FCL) for olive oil?

FCL (Full Container Load) means the whole container is reserved for your order, unlike groupage (LCL) where several shippers share the same container. For bulk olive oil, FCL in a flexitank offers the lowest cost per tonne as soon as the volume fills the container.

How many litres in a full container of olive oil?

A 20' holds roughly 22,000 L in a flexitank (1 per container), 20,000 L in IBCs (20 × 1,000 L) or 8,000 to 8,640 L in drums (40 × 200-216 L). Convert to weight with a density of 0.913 kg/L to check the payload.

What budget for a full container of olive oil?

The budget starts with the oil multiplied by the net weight (~20,000 kg in a flexitank), then adds packaging, freight, insurance, duties and your market's VAT. Always calculate the landed cost brought back to the kilo before committing.

Should you start with a full container or a smaller volume?

For a first import, it's better to test small: a few IBCs or drums validate quality and channel at lower risk. The full container becomes the right choice once the outlet is proven and cash flow is available, to obtain the best cost per tonne.

Why does weight matter as much as volume when importing a container?

Because a container has a payload in kilos, not just a volume. Bulk is quoted by net weight (density 0.913 kg/L). A container can be full in litres but overloaded in gross weight, which triggers a refusal at loading. The litres → kilos conversion is essential before quoting.

FOB or CIF to import a full container?

Both work. In FOB, you control the freight and compare forwarders; in CIF, the exporter delivers a price to port, simpler to manage for a first FCL. Avoid DDP as long as the relationship with the supplier is not proven.

Ready to cost your full container? Request a quote: we quote by format and incoterm, with net weight, landed cost per kilo and the customs benchmarks of your market, within 24-48h. First discover our olive oils and the export markets to frame your import.

Capacities, density (≈ 0.913 kg/L) and prices July 2026, indicative and to be re-checked before any commitment.