Shea Butter Export Container Calculator

How the calculation works

Step 1 converts the order to kilograms (tonnes × 1,000). Step 2 divides by net mass per unit and rounds up. Step 3, for palletised packaging, divides units by units per pallet and rounds up. Step 4 computes two capacities per container: floor capacity (floor positions × tiers if stacking is allowed and the unit is rated for it) and mass capacity (payload limit ÷ gross mass per unit, where gross = net + tare + pallet share). The smaller of the two is the container's capacity, and the tool names which one bound it. Step 5 recommends 1 × 20ft if it fits; otherwise 1 × 40ft; otherwise N × 40ft. Utilisation is shown for mass and floor.

A 20ft container is usually limited by payload, not volume: 80 drums of 200 kg single-tier is about 17.4 t gross, but double-stacking to 160 drums would exceed any road payload limit, so mass — not floor space — decides.

Convert pounds or short tons first with the oils and fats unit converter. Check the batch you are sizing with the COA interpreter. Import documents sit on how to import shea butter from Nigeria. The definition of a minimum order is in the MOQ glossary.

Assumptions and limits

Loading patterns are typical dry-container configurations for drums, palletised cartons and IBCs. A forwarder may load differently. Payload defaults are conservative; the legal road limit at destination often binds before the container's rated maximum — adjust both limits in Advanced. Volume is checked by floor positions, not by cubic-metre packing; odd-sized custom units use footprint × height with an 0.85 packing factor, stated here so the approximation is visible.

IBC mass uses shea density ≈ 0.90–0.92 kg/L at filling temperature. Solid butter contracts on cooling — the IBC is filled by mass, not to the brim. The calculator does not compute freight cost, duties or insurance; destination duties sit in the import guide. LCL / groupage below one 20ft is possible but priced differently — see Incoterms and the sample-to-container playbook scaling from sample to container order.

What your result means for a shea butter order

A load that fits one 20ft is a typical first full-container order. A result that needs a 40ft or more than one box is a conversation about staged deliveries and storage — see how to store shea butter. EMI Agro has not published a numeric minimum order; the calculator does not invent one. Ask on the quote for the smallest order that suits your grade and packaging.

Drums suit melters and refiners; cartons suit hand-scooping cosmetic lines; IBCs suit liquid handling. See unrefined Grade A, refined N-RBD and shea press cake for the grades those packs usually carry.