FIBC means flexible intermediate bulk container. It is a flexible package designed to hold and move solid material and to be lifted using integral or detachable lifting devices. It is commonly called a big bag, bulk bag or jumbo bag.

ISO 21898:2024 covers materials, construction, design, type testing and marking for FIBCs intended for non-dangerous solid materials in powder, granular or paste form. Dangerous goods require a different regulatory assessment; an ordinary commercial FIBC should never be assumed suitable merely because its dimensions look similar.

An FIBC is packaging, not a cargo specification

The same bag format can contain products with different flow, moisture, dust, contamination and safety properties. A terminal needs both the product specification and the packaging specification.

Provide:

  • exact product and intended use;
  • dangerous/non-dangerous classification confirmed by the responsible party;
  • nominal fill quantity and tolerance;
  • bag design and supplier specification;
  • safe working load and applicable safety factor as marked and documented;
  • lifting-loop arrangement;
  • top and discharge design;
  • liner, coating or moisture barrier;
  • pallet or non-pallet configuration;
  • label content and lot coding;
  • storage, stacking and reuse restrictions.

Who selects the bag?

The product owner, packer and packaging specialist select and approve the FIBC for the actual cargo and supply chain. The terminal may fill or handle bags within an agreed service, but it does not become the packaging designer unless that responsibility is expressly contracted and supported by qualified documentation.

Markings must survive the journey

A useful label can connect the bag to product, batch, packer, fill date, nominal quantity, handling marks and buyer instructions. Required legal and commercial content depends on product and market. Do not improvise labels at the terminal without an approved data source and artwork process.

Handling and condition controls

Before movement, check that the bag is the approved type, loops and seams appear intact, markings are legible and there is no visible leakage, wetting or contamination. The agreed method should protect loops from damage, avoid prohibited contact and respect the supplier’s lifting and stacking instructions.

The CTU Code provides broader guidance for packing and securing cargo transport units across sea and land. Responsibility continues after the bag leaves the terminal: vehicle or container packing and securing must be planned for the onward mode.

New bag or reuse?

Do not assume an FIBC is reusable. The design category, manufacturer information, previous use, condition, contamination risk and applicable rules must all support the decision. Where evidence is missing, the responsible product and packaging parties should reject reuse.

Inquiry format

product → classification → fill quantity → approved FIBC specification → markings → liner/protection → lifting/stacking rules → batch controls → storage → onward packing → inspection and rejection owner

New Energy can discuss bulk-to-big-bag operations and handling for an approved product and packaging system. Product acceptance, bag selection and labeling remain subject to project-specific confirmation.