Every IBC tank carries a data plate -- a permanent marking (usually embossed, stamped, or printed on a metal or plastic label) that encodes critical information about the container's design, materials, certification, and history. Reading this data plate correctly is essential for compliance, safety, and making informed purchasing decisions.
Whether you are buying a used IBC tote, inspecting incoming containers at your facility, or verifying compliance for a DOT shipment, this guide teaches you how to decode every character on the plate. For a focused explanation of just the UN rating portion, see our companion article on understanding UN ratings.
Where to Find the Data Plate
The data plate location varies by manufacturer, but it is always accessible without disassembling the IBC. The most common locations are:
- On the steel cage frame: A metal plate riveted or welded to one of the vertical cage bars, usually on the front or side near the top. This is the most common location on Schutz, Mauser, and Greif IBCs.
- Embossed on the HDPE bottle: Some manufacturers mold the UN marking and production data directly into the plastic during blow molding. Look near the top of the bottle, just below the fill cap.
- Printed label on the cage: A weather-resistant sticker or printed label affixed to the cage, often including a barcode or QR code for digital tracking.
If the data plate is missing, illegible, or has been painted over, the IBC cannot legally be used for hazardous materials transport. For non-hazmat applications, a missing plate is not a legal issue, but it does mean you cannot verify the container's history and specifications. When buying used IBCs, always insist on readable markings.
Line 1: The UN Performance Marking
The first and most important line on the data plate is the UN performance marking. A typical example looks like this:
UN 31HA1/Y/1.8/150/25/USA/SCHZ-1234
Let us decode each segment separated by slashes:
UN 31HA1
Container type code. UN = United Nations certified. 31 = rigid IBC for liquids. H = plastic material. A = steel outer cage (composite design). 1 = with bottom discharge valve.
Y
Packing group rating. X = Groups I, II, III (highest hazard). Y = Groups II and III (most common). Z = Group III only (lowest hazard).
1.8
Maximum specific gravity (relative density) of the contents the IBC is rated to carry. A value of 1.8 means the IBC can hold liquids up to 1.8 times the density of water. Water is 1.0; UAN fertilizer is approximately 1.28; sulfuric acid is 1.84.
150
Hydraulic test pressure in kilopascals (kPa). This is the internal pressure the IBC withstood during certification testing without leaking or deforming. 150 kPa is approximately 21.8 PSI. For non-pressure applications (most IBCs), this represents a safety margin well above normal operating conditions.
25
Year of manufacture (last two digits). In this example, the IBC was manufactured in 2025. Some manufacturers include the full date (month/year) in this position.
USA
Country of manufacture, using the international vehicle registration code. USA = United States. D = Germany. NL = Netherlands. Common for IBCs manufactured in Europe and imported.
SCHZ-1234
Manufacturer's code or registration number assigned by the country's competent authority. In the US, this is issued by the DOT. The format varies by manufacturer -- Schutz, Mauser, Greif, and other manufacturers each have unique identifiers.
Line 2: Capacity and Tare Weight
The second line typically includes the container's rated capacity and empty weight:
1040 L / 275 gal / 65 kg
- 1040 L: Rated liquid capacity in liters. Standard IBCs come in 1,000-liter (264-gallon) and 1,040- liter (275-gallon) versions, with 1,249-liter (330-gallon) also common.
- 275 gal: Equivalent capacity in US gallons. This is optional and sometimes omitted on European- manufactured IBCs.
- 65 kg: Tare weight (empty weight) of the complete IBC assembly -- bottle, cage, pallet, valve, and cap. Knowing the tare weight allows you to calculate the net weight of the contents by subtracting it from the gross weight on a scale.
Line 3: Material Specifications
Many data plates include a line specifying the material of the inner bottle and sometimes the cage:
- HDPE: High-density polyethylene. The standard material for composite IBC bottles. Excellent chemical resistance, FDA-approved grades available for food contact.
- PP: Polypropylene. Less common but used in some specialty IBCs for higher-temperature applications.
- Fluorinated HDPE:The inner surface of the HDPE bottle has been treated with fluorine gas to create a barrier layer. This reduces permeation of solvents, fuels, and other aggressive chemicals through the plastic. Look for "F" or "FL" on the data plate.
If you are storing chemicals that might permeate standard HDPE, a fluorinated bottle is essential. Check our IBC specifications page for chemical compatibility data, or contact us for guidance on specific chemicals.
Stacking Load and Test Markings
The data plate may also include the maximum stacking load -- the weight the IBC can support when another full IBC is placed on top of it. A typical stacking load rating is 5,400 kg (approximately 11,900 lbs), which means you can safely stack two full 275-gallon IBCs. Never exceed the rated stacking load.
Some plates also show the date of the last periodic inspection or retest. For hazmat-rated IBCs, a 2.5-year inspection and a 5-year retest are required. Look for markings like:
- IL 03/25 -- Inspection level, March 2025
- RT 09/24 -- Retest date, September 2024
Reconditioner Markings
If an IBC has been reconditioned, an additional set of markings will appear on the data plate or on a separate label:
R / USA / REC-5678 / 03-25
- R: Indicates the IBC has been reconditioned (rebuilt with a new inner bottle).
- USA: Country where the reconditioning was performed.
- REC-5678:The reconditioner's registration number, issued by the competent authority (DOT in the US).
- 03-25: Date of reconditioning (month and year). This resets the 5-year clock for hazmat use -- the IBC can transport hazardous materials for 5 years from this date.
Important: the reconditioner's mark does not replace the original manufacturer's UN marking. Both should be present on a properly reconditioned IBC. If only one set of markings exists, investigate further before using the IBC for regulated applications.
Quick Reference: What to Check When Buying
When evaluating an IBC for purchase -- whether from us or any other supplier -- use this checklist:
- Confirm the UN code matches your application requirements (container type, packing group, specific gravity)
- Verify the manufacture date and calculate the age -- is it within the 5-year hazmat window if needed?
- Check the material type -- HDPE, fluorinated, or polypropylene based on your chemical compatibility needs
- Read the stacking load to confirm it meets your warehouse requirements
- If reconditioned, verify both the original and reconditioner markings are present and legible
- Cross-reference markings with our compliance guide for regulatory requirements
Still have questions about a specific data plate? Send us a photo and we will decode it for you free of charge. Browse our current IBC inventory -- every tank we sell comes with verified, legible markings.