A used IBC is not second best. Most are reconditioned — cleaned, inspected and put back into service — and for water, non-critical liquids and many industrial uses they do the same job as new at a fraction of the price. This page explains the grades, when used is the right call and when it is not, and where to get quotes.
The grades — what “used” actually means
| Grade | What is done | Inside | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washed / rinsed | Emptied and cleaned; original bottle and cage kept. | Original bottle | Water, rainwater, undemanding liquids |
| Reconditioned | Cleaned, inspected, damaged parts replaced, tested back to serviceable condition. | Original bottle, checked | General industrial storage and transport |
| Rebottled | A factory-new inner bottle fitted into the reused steel cage. | As new | Food (with the right bottle), sensitive products |
| Used as-is | Sold inspected but not reprocessed (“2nd choice”). | Varies | Rainwater, gardening, ballast, non-contact uses |
When used makes sense — and when to buy new
The deciding question is always the same: what goes in, and what was in it before? For water, rainwater and non-critical industrial liquids, a washed or reconditioned IBC does the job and saves real money. For food or drinking water you need a rebottled unit with a food-grade bottle, or new — a washed tank that held something else is not food-safe. For dangerous goods the container must carry a valid, current UN mark, and dangerous-goods reconditioning has to be done by an approved business; a rebottled IBC can be given a fresh UN approval. If the previous contents are unknown, say so and ask.
What we are — and what we are not. We are a manufacturer-neutral brokerage portal, not a dealer. We hold no stock and add no margin. Condition and grade vary by supplier, so tell us your intended use and previous product — that is what lets the right grade be offered. The enquiry is free; you compare the suppliers’ offers directly.
These are the businesses with their own wash line, where used and reconditioned stock actually comes from — filter the comparison by Type → Reconditioner and add your country.
Related: what the UN code on a reconditioned IBC means · food-grade IBCs and why rebottling matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is a used IBC safe to reuse?
For water, rainwater and many non-critical industrial liquids, yes — a reconditioned IBC is cleaned, inspected and pressure-tested before it goes back into service. The two things that decide it are what was in the tank before and what you want to put in it now. For food, drinking water or dangerous goods there are stricter rules (see below); for a garden water tank a washed used IBC is perfectly fine.
What is the difference between reconditioned, rebottled and washed?
Washed (or rinsed) means the original bottle and cage are kept and only cleaned inside — the cheapest option, for undemanding uses. Reconditioned means the container is cleaned, inspected, damaged parts are replaced and it is tested back to serviceable condition. Rebottled means a factory-new inner bottle is fitted into the reused steel cage — inside it is as good as new, which is what makes food-grade and sensitive products possible on a reused frame.
Can a reconditioned IBC be UN-approved for dangerous goods?
Yes — but only if it carries a valid, current UN mark for your goods, and reconditioning for dangerous-goods use has to be done by an approved (in Germany, BAM-recognised) business. A rebottled IBC can be given a fresh UN approval. Never rely on an old marking on a used tank; ask the supplier for the current certificate. Our guide to the UN code explains what the marking means.
Can I use a used IBC for food or drinking water?
Only with the right specification. A washed used IBC that previously held a non-food product is not food-safe. What you want is a rebottled IBC with a food-grade inner bottle, or a new food-grade container. Always tell the supplier it is for food or drinking water so they offer the correct grade — this is exactly the kind of detail that decides whether an offer fits.
How much cheaper is a used IBC than a new one?
Enough to matter, but the exact figure is the supplier’s to quote, not ours — it depends on grade, quantity and current availability. As a rule, washed and reconditioned units are a fraction of the price of new, rebottled sits in between, and for anything that does not need a new bottle the reused option is usually the sensible buy. We quote no prices and add no margin; you compare the suppliers’ offers directly.
Where can I buy reconditioned IBCs, and do you deliver across Europe?
Our comparison lists vetted businesses that recondition and rebottle IBCs themselves, across several European countries, many of them delivering across borders. Send one free enquiry with your quantity, the grade you need and your delivery region, and it goes to the suppliers that fit — you get their offers back to compare.
Guidance for procurement, not price or legal advice. Grade, condition, price and availability are stated by the respective supplier; a contract is formed directly between you and the supplier. Information without guarantee · Last updated: September 2026 · Editor: Holger Sistig, ibc-container.org