A Beekeeper's Day: Buying 1000 L Food-Grade IBC Containers

We picked up two new 1000-litre food-grade IBC containers from Paketo in Kellokoski, Finland, for storing sugar syrup and honey. In this video you'll see the whole process: payment, electronic transfer documents, why the receipt matters for VAT, loading the totes into a covered trailer, bulkhead fittings and hose connections, plus a chat with Paketo's operations director Mikko Rajasaari.

Why replace containers in time?
Containers in use and on the road should have up-to-date markings, inspections and certifications. An IBC tote has a structural service life of about five years, and sunlight weakens the plastic. For a beekeeper, what's inside can be very valuable: a tote full of sugar syrup is worth around €1,500, but a tote full of buckwheat honey can be worth as much as €45,000.

If a container with expired inspections or certifications fails through ageing or in an accident, there is a risk that insurance won't cover the contents. Not to mention all the other mess it causes.

Ahkerat Mehiläiset ("Busy Bees") / JKH Service: just under 300 beehives in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tuusula, Kouvola and Joensuu, Finland.
Questions about beekeeping? Leave a comment, I'm happy to answer.

Subtitles: Finnish, English, German and Swedish.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Paketo office and payment
01:14 Waiting room and IBC tote service life
02:43 FDA container price and payment
04:38 Receipt, VAT and company details
05:23 What Paketo is and how pick-ups work
06:38 Lunch tip in Kellokoski
07:02 Why the