Shipping containers like drums, pails, and totes are used in a host of industries for the storage and transport of bulk dry materials and liquids. These industrial shipping containers come in varied sizes and are preferred for their large capacity, waterproofing, and resistance to leaks, impacts, and punctures. They are UV-resistant, tough, cost-effective, and provide added protection by withstanding changes in air pressure and temperature during storage and handling.

Basic Types of Shipping Drums, Totes, and Pails (Size Guide)

Limited and restricted cargo screening options for shipping on passenger airlines

All cargo shipped as air freight must be security screened according to recently updated regulations. Best practices methodology for shipping bulk commodity, sealed and air-tight shipping containers, by air freight utilizes:

✔ U.S. originators of these commodities, certified by the TSA as a Secured Packing Facility (SPF), who maintain strict regulated adherence to cargo security rules and controls from the point of origination.

✔ TSA-certified facilities that have high-penetration X-ray machines capable of producing clear images through dense materials and thick container walls. These machines must also be large enough to accommodate large shipping containers.

CFS offers cargo inspection certification for difficult-to-screen containers

“Dry and liquid bulk commodity shippers across the U.S. are transporting their products on passenger airlines using drums, pails, and totes,” according to Lorri Fairchild, President, Commercial Freight Services. “They are looking for TSA certified facilities that have the expertise and technology, specifically, high-penetration X-ray machines capable of screening dense products shipped in these containers.”

Commercial Freight Services, Inc., operating as a certified cargo screening facility (CCSF) in Detroit Michigan since 2008, is capable of screening these bulk commodities and is currently certifying shipments at their facility near Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).  CFS’s advanced high-powered X-ray is ideal for scanning large and dense cargo. This X-ray machine combines dual-view scanning with high-penetration capabilities, beam geometry, 5.5 ton (US) capacity, low-conveyor loading, and a large tunnel.

“We are screening local and Midwest origin cargo, and notably, cargo from as far away as California, Texas, Florida, and New York, for air export via DTW, YYZ, JFK, and ORD.” states Lorri Fairchild.

The type of cargo typically screened by CFS in shipping drums, totes, and pails includes non-hazardous materials such as; liquids, chemicals, powders, granule compounds, and food ingredients.



To speak with a CFS cargo screening specialist: Phone: (866) 255-6153, email: info@cfsdtw.com – or request a callback consultation.


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Basic Types of Shipping Drums, Totes, and Pails (Size Guide)