Industrial HDPE Pails: From $5.69/unit at 600+ (Quote)

Name: PailHQ
Address: 12555 Orange Drive, Davie, FL, 33330, US
Telephone: (754) 283-3717
Price range: $6.49-$8.99

Industrial HDPE Pails: From $5.69/unit at 600+ (Quote)

PailHQ M2 industrial HDPE pails carry UN 1H2/Y27/S certification for Packing Group II solids and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 food-contact compliance. Bulk quotes start from $5.69/pail at 600+, subject to sales confirmation. Online pail-only prices run from $8.99 at 3-5 to $6.49 at 48-119. Matching lids are $1.99 each; freight is quoted separately by zone. Orders of 120+ follow the quote path, not online checkout.

The Cheapest UN-Certified 5-Gallon Pail: The Short Answer

For a US-made solids-rated M2 pail, online pail-only pricing is $8.99 at 3-5, $7.99 at 6-11, $7.49 at 12-23, $6.99 at 24-47, and $6.49 at 48-119. At 120+ request a quote; the published 600+ starting anchor is $5.69/pail, subject to confirmation. The approved M2 tear-tab lid is a separate $1.99 line item. Freight and applicable tax are additional at every quantity.

Several distributors advertise UN-rated 5-gallon pails at a lower per-unit sticker price. Once you match the specification (solids-rated at Y25 or higher, cover included, US manufacturer, minimum order under 24 units), the picture changes. The table below normalizes all of that with prices from each seller's public product page as of September 22, 2026.

Comparison: Public Prices for a UN-Rated 5-Gallon HDPE Pail

Prices verified from each seller's public product page on September 22, 2026. Contact each seller for current pricing.

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

Why the "Cheapest" Isn't Always the Same Pail

Four things drive the differences in the table above.

UN performance level. The number after Y in the marking tells you what the pail is rated to carry. Y27/S is solids up to 27 kilograms. Y25/S is solids up to 25 kilograms. Y21/S is solids up to 21 kilograms. Y1.5/30 is a liquids rating for products with specific gravity up to 1.5, tested at 30 kilopascals of hydraulic pressure. A pail rated for lighter contents costs less to make. If you are shipping something at the edge of Y25, you cannot legally transport it in a Y21 pail even if the Y21 pail is cheaper.

Cover included, or sold separately. The PailHQ M2 ships with its tear-tab cover, and that cover is the tested closure for the UN rating. Distributors that quote a pail-only price show a lower number, but the full rated unit costs more once you add an approved closure. A UN-rated closure typically adds $1 to $3 per pail.

Minimum order quantity. ePackageSupply's $5.30 price requires 5 units. Cary's $4.71 price requires 288 units on a case pack of 144. PailHQ's tier ladder begins at 1 unit and steps down at 24, 48, 120, and 240.

Freight. PailHQ ships full pallets (120 units) with freight quoted separately. Most distributor prices exclude freight, and freight on a full pallet from a US distributor typically adds $150 to $400 depending on distance.

Cheapest by Real-World Match

Compare matched specifications and add the closure and freight separately. PailHQ pail + lid merchandise pricing is $8.48 at 48-119, below Uline S-14960's $10.40 at 50+ ($11.20 at 48-49) in the supplied 2026-10-07 snapshot. PailHQ's UN 1H2/Y27/S rating covers Packing Group II solids - chemicals, resins, powders, granular food - a different regulatory profile than Y1.5/30 liquid-rated competitors. This is not a claim that the products are interchangeable or that freight is included.

If the specification does not have to match, a lower per-unit price is available at higher minimums, on lower UN ratings, or without a cover. The right pail depends on what you are shipping, how many you buy, and whether the marking has to survive a DOT inspection.

> Order M2 pails direct from PailHQ

> UN 1H2/Y27/S solids-rated. 90-mil walls. 450-lb top load. Made in Chattanooga, TN. From $6.49/pail at 48-119 online, or $5.69/pail at 600+ by quote. Matching lids $1.99 each; freight quoted separately.

> See M2 pricing and order options

Technical summary (M2 5-Gallon HDPE Pail):

UN 1H2/Y27/S, DOT-approved for Packing Groups II and III, solid hazardous materials
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, food contact compliant, virgin HDPE resin
90-mil wall thickness | 1,200 lb stacking load | 60 lb UN gross mass rating
12.19 in OD × 14.5 in height | 2.21 lbs empty | Made in USA

Request pallet quote → | View product specs → | Call 754-283-3717

UN 1H2/Y27/S Certification Decoded

Procurement managers and compliance officers: here is what the UN marking means for DOT 49 CFR shipping:

| Code | Meaning |

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

| 1 | Drum/Pail container type |

| H | Plastic (HDPE) material |

| 2 | Open-head (removable lid) |

| Y | Packing Groups II and III approved |

| 27 | Maximum gross mass: 27 kg (60 lbs) |

| S | Solid hazardous materials |

What this means practically:

These pails are DOT-approved for shipping Class 3 flammable solids, Class 5 oxidizers, Class 6 toxic substances, Class 8 corrosives (solid), and Class 9 miscellaneous, all in Packing Groups II and III
No separate testing, no special declaration required. The UN marking on the pail itself is the compliance documentation
Marking is permanent (molded, not labeled) and does not degrade

For liquid hazmat (UN 1H2 rated, M4 model): See our UN liquid-certified pails.

HDPE vs Polypropylene: Which to Specify for Industrial Use?

This is the most common specification question from industrial procurement managers. Here is the straight comparison:

| Property | HDPE (PailHQ M2) | Polypropylene (PP) |

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

| Chemical resistance, acids | Excellent (HCl, H2SO4 up to 80%) | Good (similar, slightly less) |

| Chemical resistance, solvents | Good (not for ketones/aromatics) | Slightly better for ketones |

| Temperature range | −40°F to 160°F | −10°F to 180°F |

| Impact resistance (cold) | Excellent (stays flexible) | Poor below 32°F (brittle) |

| UV resistance | Good | Poor (needs UV stabilizers) |

| UN certification availability | Yes (standard, widely available) | Limited availability |

| FDA food grade | Yes (21 CFR 177.1520) | Yes (21 CFR 177.1520) |

| Cost | Lower | 15% to 25% higher |

| Stacking strength | 1,200 lb (90-mil HDPE) | 800 to 1,000 lb typical |

Bottom line for most industrial applications: HDPE wins on cost, cold-temperature performance, stacking strength, and UN certification availability. PP wins only in high-temperature applications (above 160°F) and certain solvent resistance scenarios.

For the chemicals where HDPE has limitations (ketones like acetone, aromatic hydrocarbons), neither HDPE nor PP is appropriate. Specify stainless steel 316L or PTFE instead.

HDPE Chemical Compatibility Quick Reference

For the full 200-chemical table, see our HDPE Chemical Compatibility Guide. Below are the most commonly asked industrial chemicals:

| Chemical | HDPE Rating | Notes |

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

| Hydrochloric acid (all conc.) | A, Excellent | Industry standard for HCl |

| Sulfuric acid (up to 80%) | A, Excellent | Above 80%: not recommended |

| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) | A, Excellent | All concentrations including 50% |

| Hydrogen peroxide (up to 30%) | A, Excellent | Above 50%: use stabilized HDPE |

| Phosphoric acid | A, Excellent | Fertilizer and food processing standard |

| Bleach / Sodium hypochlorite (≤10%) | A, Excellent | Cleaning, sanitation |

| Nitric acid (≤50%) | C, Conditional | Short-term only; 70%: not recommended |

| Acetone | D, Not compatible | Causes swelling and crazing |

| Gasoline / Aromatic hydrocarbons | D, Not recommended | Permeation over time |

| Methanol | C, Short-term only | Permeation risk in long-term storage |

Industrial Applications

Chemical Storage and Processing

HDPE pails are specified for a wide range of industrial chemical handling:

Acids (HCl, H2SO4, H3PO4, HF at lower concentrations)
Caustics (NaOH, KOH, ammonia solutions)
Cleaning chemicals (bleach, peroxide, surfactants)
Agricultural chemicals (fertilizers, biocides, herbicides; verify specific formulation)
Food processing chemicals (sanitizers, pH adjusters, flavorings)

Hazmat shipping compliance: All the above can be transported in UN 1H2/Y27/S rated pails (solid form, Packing Groups II/III). No additional container testing required.

Agricultural and Pest Control

Agricultural procurement teams source HDPE pails for:

Dry fertilizer storage and distribution
Seed treatment chemicals
Granular pesticide packaging
Biological agents (HDPE is compatible with most organophosphate carriers)

Organophosphate compatibility note: HDPE is compatible with most organophosphate pesticides in granular form. Liquid formulations require individual compatibility verification. See our detailed HDPE chemical compatibility guide.

Food Manufacturing and Processing

HDPE pails are FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 compliant for direct food contact including:

Bulk ingredient storage (grains, sugars, starches, spices)
Intermediate packaging for food ingredients
Food colorant and additive storage
Brine, vinegar, and liquid food products

For food manufacturing B2B orders requiring FDA documentation (resin certification letters, migration test data, manufacturing facility registration), contact sales@pailhq.com.

Industrial Procurement FAQs

What documentation is available for compliance purposes?

Available on request: SDS (Safety Data Sheet), resin certification letter (virgin HDPE specification), FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 compliance statement, UN certification documentation, and product specification sheet.

What is the pallet configuration?

Standard pallet: 120 pails per pallet, 12 nested stacks of 10 high. Pallet dimensions: 48×40 in footprint. Total pallet weight (empty pails): approximately 276 lbs + pallet. Stacked pallet height: approximately 60 in.

Can pails be branded or custom labeled?

Yes. Custom labeling (die-cut labels, shrink sleeves) can be accommodated for pallet+ quantities. Contact us for custom print area specifications (9×12 in print area on the pail body).

What is the minimum order for industrial pricing?

Online pail-only volume pricing starts with 3-5 at $8.99, then 6-11 at $7.99, 12-23 at $7.49, 24-47 at $6.99, and 48-119 at $6.49. At 120+ request a quote; bulk starting pricing is $5.69/pail at 600+, subject to confirmation. Matching lids are $1.99 each. Freight is quoted separately by zone. For full truckload quantities (6,720 pails / 56 pallets), contact sales for a current carrier quote.

What chemical groups are NOT compatible with these pails?

Not compatible: ketones (acetone, MEK), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene), chlorinated solvents (methylene chloride, TCE), concentrated nitric acid (>50%), chromic acid (all concentrations). For these chemicals, specify stainless steel 316L or PTFE containers.

Are these pails available in other sizes?

The M2 specification is the 5-gallon standard. For other sizes or custom specifications, contact our sales team.

Request a B2B Quote

For industrial orders of 120+ units, contact us for a freight quoted separately quote:

Online: Request quote at pailhq.com/quote
Phone: 754-283-3717 (replies within 2 to 4 hours, business days)
Email: sales@pailhq.com

Include: quantity needed, delivery ZIP code, and any specific documentation requirements. We reply with exact pricing including LTL freight within one business day.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest UN-certified 5-gallon pail?

Compare the complete tested configuration, not pail-only stickers. PailHQ M2 pails are $6.49 each at 48-119 plus $1.99 per matching lid, or $8.48 merchandise per set before freight and tax. Orders of 120+ require a quote; the 600+ starting anchor is $5.69/pail, subject to confirmation. UN solids and liquid ratings cover different applications and must not be treated as interchangeable.

What does "UN 1H2/Y27/S" mean?

1H2 is the packaging code for a plastic open-head pail. Y is the packing group for medium hazard contents. 27 is the maximum gross weight in kilograms the pail is tested to carry for solid contents. S means the pail was tested with solids. A pail marked Y21/S is rated up to 21 kilograms of solids. A pail marked Y1.5/30 is a liquids rating for products with specific gravity up to 1.5.

Do I need the cover to preserve the UN rating?

Yes. The UN marking applies to the tested pail plus its approved closure as a system. Using a different closure invalidates the UN rating for transport. The PailHQ M2 ships with its tear-tab cover as the tested configuration.

Do I have to order a pallet to get bulk pricing?

No. Online orders start at 3 pails. Pail-only pricing steps down at 6 ($7.99), 12 ($7.49), 24 ($6.99), and 48 ($6.49). Orders of 120+ require a sales quote. Lids are $1.99 each and freight is charged separately.

Why is direct-from-manufacturer pricing cheaper than a distributor?

PailHQ sources the M2 direct from M&M Industries at 316 Corporate Place, Chattanooga, Tennessee, the company that manufactures it. Distributors buy from the same manufacturer or its network and add a resale margin. On identical products, the direct price is lower by the distributor's markup.

Is the M2 pail food grade?

Yes. The M2 is HDPE meeting FDA 21 CFR §177.1520, the federal regulation covering olefin polymers in food contact.

What if I need fewer than 24 units?

PailHQ's online minimum is 3 pails. The pail-only price is $8.99 at 3-5, $7.99 at 6-11, and $7.49 at 12-23. Add the approved matching lid at $1.99 each; freight and tax are additional. Contact sales for single-pail requests.