Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 7, 2026

Pail (container)

In technical usage in the shipping industry, a pail is a type of cylindrical shipping container with a capacity of about 3 to 50 litres. It can have straight or slanted sides and usually has a handle or bail. In non-technical usage, a pail is synonymous with a bucket.

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Jul 7, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
Three gallon plastic pail of paint with screw closure source ↗
Steel pail of concentrated pesticide source ↗
Open-head plastic pails being reused to carry other items source ↗

In technical usage in the shipping industry, a pail is a type of cylindrical shipping container with a capacity of about 3 to 50 litres (1 to 13 US gal). It can have straight or slanted sides and usually has a handle or bail.1 In non-technical usage, a pail is synonymous with a bucket.2

Construction

Pails can be made of

Pails are either "open head" with removable lids (covers) or are "tight head" with sealed heads and a screw closure.

Pails made of wood, and later metal, were originally used to transport milk, before the introduction of the milk churn.

Uses

Pails are used for a variety of fluids and flowable materials. When properly constructed and certified, they may be used for dangerous goods shipments. 3

Pails are shipping containers that are shipped individually, shipped as secure unit loads on pallets, or shipped in corrugated fiberboard boxes.

See also

See also

This is a kids pail for sand.
This is a kids pail for sand. source ↗
References

References

  1. Soroka, W. Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology (Second ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals.
  2. Flexner, Stuart; Hauck, epmpre, eds. (1993) [1987]. Random House Unabridged Dictionary (hardcover) (second ed.). New York: Random House. p. 271. ISBN 0-679-429174.
  3. "How to Comply with Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations". US DoT.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

Books, general references

  • Soroka, W, Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-930268-25-4
  • Yam, K. L., Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
  • ASTM D4504—Specification for Molded Polyethylene Open-Head Pails for Industrial Shipping of Nonhazardous Goods