When a brand decides to import argan oil from Morocco, a practical question quickly arises: how will the oil be packed and shipped? The packaging choice affects oil quality during transit, freight cost, and how easily you can handle the product on arrival. Here is an overview of the common bulk packaging options for argan oil.
Why Shipping Packaging Matters
Like all precious vegetable oils, argan oil is sensitive to light, oxygen and heat. Good packaging is not just a container; it is the first line of defence for quality between the factory gate and your production line or shelf.
The Main Bulk Options
Small Cans and Bottles (1 to 5 Litres)
Suited to trial orders and artisan producers. Easy to store and portion, they let you test your market before committing to larger volumes.
Jerrycans (10 to 25 Litres)
The most common choice for small and mid-sized production units. Usually made of opaque food-grade plastic that shields the oil from light, they balance cost and ease of handling well.
Drums (180 to 200 Litres)
The economical solution for larger volumes. Available as lined metal drums or food-grade plastic, they suit factories consuming oil at a steady pace.
IBC Totes (Around 1000 Litres)
For large industrial buyers. They cut the shipped cost per litre but require proper handling equipment and a fast consumption rate once opened.
How to Choose
- Your monthly usage: avoid a format that will sit open for months.
- Your storage conditions: do you have a cool, dark warehouse and handling equipment?
- Your market's requirements: some markets expect documented food-grade containers even for cosmetic use.
- Your growth plan: start with flexible formats and step up to economical sizes as demand grows.
Retail-Ready Filling: The Private-Label Option
Beyond bulk, the oil can be bottled at the factory straight into your final retail packaging, in sizes such as 30, 50 or 100 ml, with your labels and boxes. This removes an entire step from your chain and guarantees filling under factory-grade standards.
Documents That Should Travel with Every Shipment
- A certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.
- The product safety data sheet.
- Origin documentation needed for customs clearance.
After Delivery: Storage Rules That Protect Your Investment
Receiving a shipment intact is only half the job; the other half happens in your warehouse:
- Moderate, stable temperature: avoid storage rooms that heat up in summer, as heat accelerates oxidation.
- Away from light: keep containers closed and in the dark until the moment of use.
- Tight resealing after every draw: each opening lets in fresh air that shortens the oil's life.
- First in, first out: organise batches by date and always consume the oldest before the newest.
One Last Tip Before Your First Order
Ask your supplier for the remaining shelf life at the moment of shipping, not just the production date, and match your order size to your real consumption rate. Excellent oil stored too long after opening loses its edge, while smaller, more frequent orders keep your customers' oil at its best.
At Assil Ouargane in Morocco, we supply argan oil in all the formats above, from jerrycans to drums, as well as final private-label bottling. Contact us through our website for a quote matched to your volume.
