IBC tote grades explained
There is no national grading authority for used IBC totes. Every seller invents their own letters — which is exactly why you should read the definition, not the letter.
- Sheet
- 04
- Revision
- 2026-10
- Scale
- 1:1
- Drawn at
- Peoria IL
A grade is a prediction about how a container will behave for the next five years. Treat it as a claim that needs evidence, not a label.
When somebody advertises a 'Grade A food-grade tote' the only useful follow-up question is: what was in it, who washed it, and can I see the certificate? If the answer is vague on any of the three, the letter is marketing.
The four bands we publish
| Band | Bottle | Last contents | Markings | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A — food | Clear/natural, no staining, no odour | Food or food-adjacent, documented | Full UN code legible | Food, beverage, potable-adjacent |
| A — industrial | Light scuffing, no crazing | Non-hazardous, documented | Full UN code legible | Chemical, ag nutrient, resale |
| B | Staining or discolouration, sound walls | Non-hazardous, rinsed | Code usually legible | Ag, water, glycol, general industrial |
| C | Heavy stain, cosmetic damage, watertight | Known, rinsed | May be partially illegible | Non-potable storage, upcycles |
What actually drives price
- Documentation. A tote with a last-contents declaration and a wash certificate is worth 30–60% more than an identical tote without one.
- Marking legibility. Lose the UN code and the container loses access to every regulated application overnight.
- Bottle clarity. Crazing at the corners and sump is the single best predictor of a short remaining life.
- Valve and gasket condition. Cheap to fix, which is why a weeping valve should never cost you a grade.
- Cage geometry. A tote that will not sit square will not stack safely, and stacking is half the value proposition.
“Grade the paperwork first and the plastic second. The plastic you can see; the history you cannot.”
— Our intake grader
Five questions that expose a bad grade
- What were the last contents, specifically — product name, not category?
- Which wash cycle was used, at what temperature, and is there a certificate?
- Is the full UN marking legible, and can you send a photo of it?
- Was the bottle replaced? If so, when and with what resin?
- What is the policy if the load arrives a grade below what was sold?
Our answer to question five
If a tote arrives below the grade we sold, we replace it or refund it. That is the whole policy and it fits in one sentence for a reason.
The same container described by four different sellers
| Seller type | What they would call it | What they would disclose | What you should ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker, no yard | Grade A | Nothing — they have not seen it | Who graded it, and against what standard? |
| Auction or marketplace | Used, good condition | A photograph, sometimes | Can I see the UN plate and the valve open? |
| Reconditioner, no published standard | Grade A | Washed, maybe a cycle name | Which cycle, at what temperature, signed by whom? |
| Reconditioner with a published standard | Grade B, S2 staining | Declaration, wash record, plate photo | Nothing — they already told you |
- A grade with no published definition behind it is a marketing adjective, not a specification.
- The two highest-value disclosures are the contents declaration and a photograph of the UN plate. Both are free to provide and together they move value by 30 to 60 percent.
- Ask what happens if the load arrives below grade. 'Replaced or refunded, no inspection report needed' is a one-sentence answer; anything longer is a process designed to tire you out.
- Price spread between the best and worst description of the same container is routinely three to one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official standard for IBC tote grades?
No. There is no national grading authority for used IBC totes, so each seller defines their own letters. That is why you should ask for the written definition behind a grade, plus the contents declaration and a photo of the UN plate, rather than trusting the letter alone.
Why does documentation change the price of a tote?
A last-contents declaration and a wash certificate tell the buyer what the tote held and how it was cleaned. documented totes are worth 30 to 60 percent more than identical totes without paperwork, because the history cannot be seen by looking at the plastic.
What is the difference between Grade A food and Grade A industrial?
Both have a legible UN code and documented history. Grade A food has a clear or natural bottle with no staining or odour and food or food-adjacent contents. Grade A industrial allows light scuffing and a non-hazardous history, and suits chemical, ag nutrient and resale uses.
What is Grade C good for?
Grade C totes have heavy staining or cosmetic damage but are watertight, and the markings may be partly illegible. The article lists non-potable storage and upcycle builds as typical uses. They are not suited to regulated or food applications.
What happens if a tote arrives below the grade I bought?
The yard's stated policy is to replace it or refund it. If you want to know the current grade mix before ordering, you can ask through the form on the contact page and the team will answer for what is in stock.
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Published 2026-02-11. 9 min read. Written by the crew that does the work, not a content agency.