Frequently Asked Questions – Bulk Liquid & Freight Logistics
Originally known as a tank container, the ISO tank gets its name from its compliance with ISO container construction standards. Made from stainless steel, it is encased in an insulating and protective layer, typically polyurethane and aluminium. Designed for reuse, it safely transports both hazardous and non-hazardous liquids.
Shipping in bulk offers significant cost savings and efficiency. With PalTank, you can transport the equivalent of two 20ft containers of packaged product for about the price of one. Bulk shipping also reduces packaging waste, minimises handling, lowers the risk of contamination, and improves overall supply chain efficiency. Additionally, it supports sustainability efforts by cutting down on the number of containers needed and reducing carbon emissions.
PalTank specialises in transporting bulk food grade liquids, from wine to spirits, ethanol and fruit juices.
Yes, especially for liquid and food-grade products. Bulk shipping in ISO tanks or similar containers ensures product integrity by reducing exposure to contamination and maintaining stable conditions during transit.
We certainly do! PalTank specialises in transatlantic spirits transport and moves over 2000 ISO tanks per year between Europe and the US, and back again!
PalTank is very selective about the products we carry. Unlike our competitors, our entire fleet is dedicated to the wines and spirits industry. We know how important product integrity is, that’s why we opted to keep any products out of our tanks that could cause issues down the line. On top of this, we only use EFTCO approved cleaning stations, to ensure that the tank arrives spotlessly clean and in perfect condition, every time.
PalTank has a network of kosher inspected and endorsed cleaning stations to ensure kosher observations are maintained. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at sales@paltank.co.uk
PalTank has regular, contracted flows of food grade only tanks into mainland Europe, with tank storage depots at key locations, meaning that with some straightforward planning we can accommodate your request – get in touch with us to find out more!
PalTank works with several high speed transatlantic carriers, with dedicated, weekly vessel space allocation on numerous services, to ensure we can fulfil our client needs at this challenging time.
Due to our vast experience in moving bulk spirits to the US, we know how best to avoid these charges. We offer many solutions including through transport to inland railheads and container pre-pulls to stop our customers getting hit with surprise, and often large port storage bills.
The weight limit for a loaded tank in the US is 23995kg, so you can load 20000kg of product. As an example, for Grain Neutral Spirit at 96% ABV (192 proof) and a density of 0.811, this would allow approx. 24650 litres of liquid in a 26000 litre tank, allowing for ullage for liquid expansion during transit. We also have options for heavy weight permits depending on the US state your product is going to – get in touch for more information!
Of course! We include this as standard in our quote.
Although flexi tanks cannot be used to ship hazardous spirits, we can offer you various sized flexi options for wines coming out of the US, using our expansive domestic trucking and rail network, connecting with our global ocean partners, we can get your drinks to where they need to go!
Indeed it is! PalTank offers a bespoke end to end service for many of our clients, including the re-exportation of packaged goods at a competitive price. Ask us for a quote on sales@paltank.co.uk
PalTank specialises in the safe, compliant transportation of food-grade liquids using ISO tanks. This includes products such as wine, spirits, juices, liquid foodstuffs, and other compatible non-hazardous bulk liquids. All our tanks meet strict hygiene and safety standards, making them ideal for sensitive shipments.
ISO tanks are specially designed containers for bulk liquid transport. They maintain product quality, prevent contamination, and allow for efficient international shipping. Our team manages the full process—loading, documentation, transit, and delivery—ensuring full traceability and compliance at every stage.
Yes. PalTank offers full customs documentation and compliance services for both imports and exports across the UK and EU. Our team handles declarations, transit forms (T1), and ensures your shipments meet all post-Brexit regulatory requirements.
Absolutely. In addition to bulk ISO tank transport, we offer reliable palletised and cased goods distribution. Whether it’s bottled wine, boxed spirits, or other packaged liquids, we provide secure and efficient delivery across the UK and Europe.
PalTank operates globally across the UK, Europe, Americas and other international markets. We have established routes for cross-border shipments, particularly for wine and spirits from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, USA and beyond.
Yes – simply visit our Contact page or use our enquiry form to request a tailored logistics quote. Our team will assess your requirements and respond promptly with a competitive and compliant solution.
We primarily support the wines, spirits and drinks industries, working with producers, distilleries, wineries, breweries, importers, exporters, wholesalers and retailers. We also transport other compatible food-grade liquids.
Unlike many logistics providers, PalTank specialises exclusively in bulk drinks logistics. Our dedicated fleet, industry expertise, multilingual team, in-house customs specialists and global partner network enable us to deliver tailored solutions with exceptional reliability and product care.
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