How much do 5 gallon buckets cost in bulk?

Bulk 5 gallon HDPE buckets typically cost $9.99-$14.99 per unit for quantities of 25-99 units. Pallet quantities (100+ units) can reduce pricing to $8.99-$11.99 per unit. Full truckload orders (500+ units) offer the best pricing with free freight included.

How many 5 gallon buckets fit on a pallet?

A standard pallet holds 120 five-gallon HDPE pails arranged as 12 nested stacks of 10 pails high, per the M&M Industries Traditional M2 spec sheet. A full truckload holds 6,720 pails. Each pail weighs 2.21 lbs and the HDPE cover weighs 0.65 lbs.

What is the minimum order for bulk bucket pricing?

Most suppliers offer bulk pricing starting at 25 units. Volume discount tiers typically break at 25, 50, 100, and 500+ units. PailHQ offers competitive bulk pricing starting at just 25 units with additional discounts for pallet and truckload quantities.

Do bulk 5 gallon buckets come with lids?

Lids are typically sold separately from 5 gallon buckets in bulk orders. Common lid options include snap-on lids, gamma seal lids, gasket lids, and spouted lids. Ordering lids separately allows buyers to choose the best lid type for their specific application.

Is free shipping available for bulk bucket orders?

Many suppliers offer free freight on pallet quantities (100+ units) shipped via LTL freight. Individual bucket shipping costs $3-$8 per unit via ground shipping. Truckload orders (500+ units) typically include free delivery to commercial addresses with dock access.

Buy 5 Gallon Buckets in Bulk: $5.99/Each at 48+ Units

Where to Buy 5 Gallon Buckets in Bulk: Complete Wholesale Guide (2026)

Last Updated: February 2, 2026 | Written by PailHQ Industrial Packaging Team | Reviewed by supply chain specialists with 20+ years in plastic container manufacturing

Need to buy 5 gallon buckets in bulk? Wholesale pricing saves 40-60% compared to retail, but hidden costs like freight, minimum orders, and missing certifications can eliminate those savings. This guide covers where to buy, what to expect on pricing, and how to calculate your true landed cost.

Quick Answer: Industrial distributors offer the best bulk pricing at $5.49-$6.99/bucket for pallet quantities (36-48 units). PailHQ offers $5.99/bucket at 48+ units with FREE shipping. Compare this to Home Depot at $4.48 each plus $2-4/bucket in shipping costs.

Industry Context: The Bulk Bucket Market

The U.S. plastic pail market exceeds $2.1 billion annually, with 5-gallon containers representing the largest segment at 45% of volume according to IBISWorld. Industrial buyers—food processors, manufacturers, farms, and preppers—purchase an estimated 80 million 5-gallon containers annually.

Key market insight: Retail stores like Home Depot serve 20% of volume (individual/small buyers), while industrial distributors handle 80% of total sales through bulk channels.

Key Takeaways:

Bulk pricing starts around 12+ units, with best rates at 48+ (pallet quantity)
Full pallet = 36-48 buckets depending on configuration
Shipping is the hidden cost—can add $2-5 per bucket for small orders
Free freight typically requires pallet minimums (36+ units)
Food-grade and UN certification add $0.50-1.50 per bucket vs uncertified
PailHQ: $5.99/bucket at 48+ units with FREE shipping (continental US)

Pricing Breakdown: Where to Buy Bulk Buckets

Option 1: Big Box Retail (Home Depot, Lowes)

|-------|-------------|---------------|----------|--------------|

| Home Depot | $4.48 | None | $2-4/ea | $6.48-8.48 |

| Lowes | $4.98 | None | $2-4/ea | $6.98-8.98 |

Verdict: Retail stores don't offer bulk pricing. Their low sticker price is erased by shipping costs on large orders. Best only for 1-5 buckets with in-store pickup.

Option 2: Restaurant Supply Stores

|----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------|

| Webstaurant | $5.99-7.99 | 6-12 | $15-50+ | Some |

| Sam's Club | $5.48 | 1 | In-store only | No |

Verdict: Good for small restaurant/catering needs. Limited certification options. Shipping costs vary widely.

Option 3: Industrial Distributors (Best Value)

|-------------|-------------|-----------|--------------|----------------|

| Container & Packaging | $6.25-7.50 | 12 | $500+ order | FDA |

Verdict: Industrial distributors offer best pricing AND proper certifications. PailHQ provides lowest all-in cost with included free shipping.

Understanding Pallet Quantities

A standard 40" x 48" pallet holds 36-48 five-gallon buckets:

|--------------|---------------|--------|--------------|

| Standard Stack | 12 | 3 | 36 |

| High Stack | 12 | 4 | 48 |

| Nested | 16 | 3 | 48 |

Why pallet quantities matter: Full pallet orders unlock the best pricing AND qualify for free or discounted freight. Shipping 36+ buckets via standard carriers costs $150-400 in freight—buying at pallet quantity with free shipping saves $4-10 per bucket.

Pro tip: If you need 30 buckets, order 36. The free shipping on a full pallet makes the extra 6 buckets essentially free.

Hidden Costs in Bulk Bucket Buying

1. Shipping/Freight

|------------|----------------|------|-------------------|

| 1-6 | Parcel (FedEx/UPS) | $15-35 | $2.50-5.80 |

| 6-36 | LTL Freight | $75-250 | $2.10-6.90 |

| 36+ (Pallet) | Full Pallet | $150-400 | $4.17-11.11 |

| 36+ (Free) | Included | $0 | $0 |

The math: A $4.48 Home Depot bucket shipped individually costs $7-9 delivered. A $5.99 PailHQ bucket with free shipping costs... $5.99.

2. Lids (Often Sold Separately)

| Lid Type | Price Each | Notes |

|----------|-----------|-------|

| Standard Snap-On | $1.50-2.50 | Basic, hard to remove |

| Gasket Lid | $2.50-4.00 | Airtight, included with some pails |

| Gamma Seal | $7.00-12.00 | Easy screw-on access, premium |

Pro tip: Always confirm whether lids are included. PailHQ's M2 pails include standard gasket lids.

3. Missing Certifications

| Certification | What It Means | Cost Premium |

|--------------|---------------|--------------|

| FDA Food-Grade | Safe for food contact per 21 CFR 177.1520 | $0.50-1.00 |

| UN/DOT Rated | Legal for hazmat shipping (1H2 marking) | $1.00-1.50 |

| NSF Listed | Third-party food safety verification | $0.25-0.50 |

Warning: Hardware store buckets lack these certifications. If you're storing food or shipping chemicals, uncertified buckets could mean regulatory violations or product contamination.

How to Calculate Your True Landed Cost

Formula: (Bucket Price × Quantity) + Shipping + Lids = Total ÷ Quantity = Landed Cost per Bucket

Example: 48 Buckets for Food Storage

Option A: Home Depot

Buckets: $4.48 × 48 = $215.04
Shipping: ~$200 (LTL freight)
Lids: $2.50 × 48 = $120.00
Total: $535.04 = $11.15/bucket

Option B: PailHQ

Buckets with lids: $5.99 × 48 = $287.52
Shipping: FREE
Total: $287.52 = $5.99/bucket

Savings: 46% lower cost, plus FDA and UN certifications included

What Certifications Should Bulk Buckets Have?

For Food Storage/Processing

FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 compliance – Required for direct food contact
Made from virgin HDPE resin (no recycled content)
BPA-free formulation
Third-party testing documentation available

For Chemical/Hazmat Shipping

UN 1H2/Y1.8/100 marking – Required for DOT-regulated materials
Tested for drop, stack, leak, and hydrostatic pressure
Packing Group II or III certification
Annual production testing verification

For General Industrial Use

HDPE #2 recycling code
90 mil wall thickness (vs 60-70 mil retail buckets)
Reinforced rim for stacking
Compatible with standard 12" lids

PailHQ Bulk Pricing Structure

|----------|-------------|----------|----------|

| 1-11 | $8.49 | Gasket lid | Calculated |

| 12-23 | $7.49 | Gasket lid | Calculated |

| 24-47 | $6.49 | Gasket lid | Calculated |

| 48+ | $5.99 | Gasket lid | FREE |

All PailHQ M2 pails include:

FDA food-grade HDPE (21 CFR 177.1520)
UN 1H2/Y1.8/100 certification
90 mil wall thickness
Standard gasket lid
Made in USA

Get a Quote for Bulk Orders →

Industry Statistics: Bulk Bucket Buying

78% of industrial bucket buyers order pallet quantities (36+ units) per PMMI Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute
Average bulk buyer purchases 3.2 pallets (115-154 buckets) per year per IBISWorld
Food processing sector accounts for 35% of 5-gallon pail consumption
Prepper/emergency preparedness segment grew 340% from 2020-2024

Common Questions About Buying Buckets in Bulk

Q: What's the minimum order for bulk pricing?

A: Varies by supplier. PailHQ starts volume discounts at 12 units, with best pricing at 48+.

Q: Do bulk orders include lids?

A: Not always. Confirm before ordering. PailHQ includes gasket lids with all pails.

Q: How long does bulk delivery take?

A: 3-7 business days for in-stock items. Pallet orders via freight take 5-10 days.

Q: Can I get a sample before ordering in bulk?

A: Most industrial suppliers offer samples. Contact PailHQ for sample requests.

Q: What's the shelf life of HDPE buckets?

A: HDPE containers last 10+ years when stored away from UV light. No expiration date.

Bottom Line: Where to Buy 5 Gallon Buckets in Bulk

For 1-10 buckets: Home Depot or Lowes with in-store pickup is most convenient.

For 12-35 buckets: Industrial distributors beat retail pricing once you factor shipping.

For 36+ buckets: Full pallet with free shipping is the clear winner. PailHQ offers $5.99/bucket with FREE freight, FDA food-grade certification, and UN hazmat rating included.

Don't let hidden shipping costs erase your bulk savings. Calculate your true landed cost before ordering.

Request a Bulk Quote → | View Product Specifications →

Sources: IBISWorld Plastic Pail Manufacturing Report 2024, PMMI Packaging Trends Survey 2024, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, DOT 49 CFR 178.510