Questions To Ask Food-Grade Liquid Bulk Transportation Companies

If you need bulk liquid solutions, you want to be sure you can find a company you trust. How can you be sure you're going with the right company? You just need to ensure that you're asking the right questions. When considering a company, make sure you ask them the following questions. If they can answer them to your satisfaction, then you've found the right company for you.

Can You Transport My Items On Time?

As you're dealing with food grade liquids, you need them to be moved in a timely manner. To be food grade, they will have to have an expiration date. Moving them before you're unable to use or sell them is vital. Then there's food grade liquids that are time sensitive. Wine, for example, needs to be moved quickly so it can be bottled and sold at the right time of year. 

When talking to a transport company, ensure that they're going to be available when you need them. Keep in mind that even the best companies may not be available when you need them, if they're experiencing high demand. Also, check to see how long it will take them to move your cargo. If the route will take too long, you should look for another company. 

What Will You Use To Transport My Liquids?

There are several different options available to you if you're moving liquids in bulk. Ask your company what they can offer you. They'll have some or even all of the following:

Drums or barrels: These are a very common option as they're easy to move around and are a uniform size, so you can easily keep track of how much liquid is being shipped. Most companies will offer you this option. They are easy to use, but will have extra costs as they will need to be shipped back and cleaned before their next use. 

Intermediate bulk containers: These containers, otherwise known as IBCs, are called so as they're the 'inbetween' option between drums and ISO tanks. They can carry food grade items with the use of an FDA approved liner. They're cube shaped, making them easier to move around and stack for transport. They do also suffer higher costs due to cleaning, though. 

ISO tanks: These are the larger options, great if you need to transport a lot of liquid. They can carry up to 8,700 gallons of liquid. They're hard wearing too, as they can be used to transport hazardous liquids. If you use these, you'll need to be aware they can only be filled up 95% of the way, due to thermal expansion. They also come with higher rental costs. 

Flexitanks: These bulk liquid transportation tanks are the newest on the market, but they're becoming popular thanks to their benefits. They work like a bag, which can be filled up from the top. As they're a flexible lining, they can expand to fill the space they're in. No wasted space in the transport vehicle, so you can move as much as possible. They are one use only, which is great as there's no risk of contamination but you won't be able to reuse them. You also can't use them for rail transport, due to rattling or sudden stops damaging the tank. 

You'll have an ideal container in mind, so see if the company you're considering can offer you what you need.

How Much Can I Transport At Once?

Depending on the vehicles that the transport company uses, you may need to hire more than one. For example, if the company uses trucks, they will have a certain limit on how much they can carry. If one truck can carry up to 7,000 gallons and you need to ship more than that, you'll need to hire more than one truck. This is going to affect costs, so you'll need to shop around and see what's on offer. You may be better going with rail or plane for moving your cargo, depending on how much you have to move in one go. Make sure you know all the options that are available to you. 

Can They Handle Special Requirements?

Not all food stuffs are created equal, and some will have special requirements. For example, perhaps you're moving a food grade liquid that needs to be kept kosher. Can the bulk liquid transportation companies you're looking at do that? There are strict rules to be followed, such as the vehicle being thoroughly cleaned out, and that the vehicle itself can't have transported non kosher items for its last three trips. Some companies won't do this as it's a lot of work, so ensure that your company will before you hire them. 

Can I Ship Internationally?

Even smaller companies have an increasing need to ship internationally, and so you need your bulk liquid transport company to be able to do that for you. Do they have the logistics in place for you to send your cargo overseas? Many are now offering this, so look for it when you're calling around for quotes. 

How Can I Track My Cargo?

Finally, you'll need to be able to keep track of your cargo even when it's out of your hands. How can you do this? Many companies will offer you several options. Some will give you tracking numbers, so you can keep an eye on your delivery on their website. Some will even have apps that you can use, so you can track the cargo when you're on the go. Look for companies that have tracking options, so you always know where your cargo is. 

Ask these questions when looking for a bulk liquid transport company, and you'll be able to find one that firs your needs perfectly. Take your time to ensure you get the right company for the job.