1,000 L IBC for bulk olive oil: discharge flexibility

In brief

The IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) is a 1,000 liter palletized, stackable and generally reusable tank. About 20 fit per 20' container, i.e. ~20,000 L (~18,300 kg at 0.913 kg/L). It is the compromise format: more flexible than the flexitank for discharge (handling by pallet truck, split unloading, tank by tank), but with a higher cost per tonne. It is aimed at distributors and packers who do not sell a container in one go.

Zitouna Export delivers IBCs out of Tunisia (Sfax / Radès), with a COA per lot, for extra virgin as well as organic.

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What is an IBC?

An IBC is a 1,000 liter cubic container, made up of a tank (usually food-grade HDPE) in a metal cage, mounted on an integrated pallet. It is handled with a pallet truck or forklift, stacks, and is emptied through a valve at the bottom.

It is the intermediate format between the drum (small lot) and the flexitank (full container). It combines unit handling (like a large palletized drum) and a high capacity (1,000 L per unit).

Characteristic	Indicative value
Capacity	1,000 L
Weight of oil (0.913 kg/L)	~913 kg per tank
Per 20' container	~20 IBCs
Total 20' capacity	~20,000 L (~18,300 kg)
Reusable	Yes, generally (returnable/reconditioned)
Discharge	By valve, tank by tank
Indicative MOQ	2 IBCs (2,000 L)

Density used: 0.913 kg/L. Indicative capacities, excluding load tolerances and permissible gross weight. July 2026 �.

Calculate liters ↔ kg and the number of units per container with our packing calculator.

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Why choose the IBC: flexibility

The IBC is the right choice when you do not consume a flexitank at once but exceed the small lot in drums:

• Split discharge: you empty one tank at a time, at the pace of your production or your sales.
• Flexible handling: pallet truck or forklift, no need for a dedicated pumping station.
• Buffer storage: the stackable tanks serve as a reserve in the workshop.
• Reusable / returnable: the IBC is reused after reconditioning, unlike the disposable flexitank.

It is the format for markets without a pumping station and for buyers who spread their consumption over time.

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Advantages and limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Split discharge, tank by tank	Higher cost per tonne than flexitank
Handling by pallet truck / forklift	Tare weight and lost volume (cage, pallet)
Reusable / returnable	Less total volume than a flexitank per 20'
Easy buffer storage (stackable)	Cleaning to arrange if reused
No pumping station needed	20 valves to handle at discharge

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For whom? Typical use cases

The IBC is aimed at buyers with spread-out consumption:

• Distributors who unload progressively.
• Packers who feed their bottling line tank by tank.
• Volume HORECA and central kitchens.
• Markets without a pump discharge station.

Below it, the 200-216 L drum suits tests; above it, the ~22,000 L flexitank minimizes the cost per tonne on a full container.

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Logistics and transport

The IBC travels palletized and secured in the container. Key points:

• ~20 units per 20', depending on the exact dimensions of the IBCs and palletization.
• Comply with the permissible gross weight: ~18.3 tonnes of oil for 20 tanks, to be compared with the container payload.
• Plan for an unloading dock and a pallet truck on arrival.
• Check the condition of the tanks (valves, seals) if reused.

Maritime details in our sea transport guide and choice of incoterm.

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Density and load calculation

Remember the density: ~0.913 kg/L.

• 1 IBC of 1,000 L ≈ 913 kg.
• 20 IBCs ≈ 18,260 kg (~20,000 L).
• To convert €/kg ↔ €/L, apply the factor 0.913.

The exact number of IBCs per container depends on their dimensions and palletization. Our packing calculator does the calculation for 20' and 40'.

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Buyer side / seller side

Buyer side (distributor, packer)	Seller side (exporter, brand)
Check handling capacity (pallet truck, dock), calculate the delivered price per tonne, verify the permissible gross weight and the incoterm, plan tank-by-tank discharge.	Optimize palletization, quote the format that protects the margin without a pumping station, document the net weight on the COA per lot, guarantee the integrity of the food-grade tanks.
CTA: request a quote	CTA: train for export

Golden rule: validate the format and gross weight before quoting — a packing error wipes out the margin.

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FAQ — 1,000 L IBC for olive oil

How many liters in an IBC of olive oil?

A standard IBC holds 1,000 liters, i.e. about 913 kg of oil at 0.913 kg/L. It is the intermediate format between the drum (200-216 L) and the flexitank (~22,000 L).

How many IBCs in a 20' container?

About 20 IBCs of 1,000 L, i.e. ~20,000 L (~18,300 kg). The exact number depends on the dimensions of the tanks and palletization. Use the packing calculator to refine.

What is the difference between IBC and GRV?

None: GRV (grand récipient pour vrac) is the French term for the IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container). Both refer to the same 1,000 L cubic tank mounted on a pallet in a cage.

Is the IBC reusable?

Yes, generally. The IBC is reused after reconditioning (cleaning, checking valves and seals). It is an advantage over the single-use flexitank. Depending on the case, it may be returnable.

Is special equipment needed to handle an IBC?

A pallet truck or forklift is enough, as well as an unloading dock. No pumping station needed: discharge is done through the valve at the bottom. It is an asset in markets without pumping installation.

What is the MOQ for IBCs?

The indicative MOQ is 2 IBCs (2,000 L). We can also load a full container (~20 IBCs) or combine formats according to your needs.

IBC or flexitank: which to choose?

The flexitank for the lowest cost per tonne on a full container, if you have a discharge pump. The IBC for flexibility: split discharge, handling by pallet truck, no pumping station required. Compare on the formats page.

Is the IBC suitable for extra virgin olive oil?

Yes, with a food-grade HDPE tank, away from light. To preserve an extra virgin, store the tanks cool, away from light, and empty them within a reasonable time after opening the valve.

Can IBCs be loaded into a 40' container?

Yes: a 40' accommodates more units depending on palletization and the permissible gross weight. Note that it is often the weight that limits before the volume. The packing calculator handles both sizes.

Which incoterm for an IBC order?

For a first order, FOB (loaded at Radès) is the standard; CIF includes freight and insurance up to the destination port. See our incoterms guide.

Does each IBC correspond to a single lot?

Not necessarily: the same lot can fill several IBCs. Each shipment is accompanied by the COA (certificate of analysis) per lot, issued by an accredited laboratory, with the net weight documented.

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Request your IBC quotation

Volume, destination market, category (extra virgin / virgin), organic or conventional, incoterm: give us your needs, and we will send you a dated quotation and a reference sample with its COA.

Request a free quote — drawer pre-filled "IBC 1,000 L".

Lead magnet: download our Guide to Exporting Olive Oil (formats, packing, incoterms, documentary checklist).

See also: all formats · ~22,000 L flexitank · 200-216 L drum.