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Bulk liquids look simple on paper: fill a tank, drive, empty it. In practice the product decides almost everything. Petroleum products are flammable and are regulated as hazardous goods. Many chemicals are too. Edible oils are not hazardous, but they need a clean tank that has carried nothing that could taint them.
This guide explains the main tanker types, the rules that apply, and the documents that must travel with the load. It is general information, not legal advice. Always check the current rules for your product with the regulator.
Tanker types
- Petroleum tankers. Built for flammable liquids such as diesel, petrol and kerosene. Under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, a vehicle carrying petroleum in bulk needs a licence from PESO, and its design and fittings must meet the approved specification.
- Chemical tankers. Tank material and lining are chosen to suit the chemical. Some products need stainless steel, some need a lined tank, some need heating or insulation.
- Food-grade tankers. For edible oils and other food liquids. These need dedicated tanks, or tanks cleaned to a standard the shipper accepts, with a cleaning record.
- Compartment tankers. One tank split into compartments, used when a load must be split by grade or by drop point. Compartments do not make it safe to mix incompatible products.
The rules that apply
Two sets of rules matter most for road movement.
PESO and the Petroleum Rules. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation administers the Petroleum Act, 1934 and the Petroleum Rules, 2002. These cover the licensing of tankers that carry petroleum, and how petroleum is loaded, carried and unloaded.
MoRTH and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 include rules for goods of a dangerous or hazardous nature. In broad terms they require the vehicle to be marked for its load, the driver to be trained to handle hazardous goods, and emergency information for the product to be carried on the vehicle.
GST e-way bill. As with any goods movement above the threshold, an e-way bill under Rule 138 of the CGST Rules is needed for the consignment.
Documents that travel with the tanker
- Invoice and e-way bill
- Safety data sheet (SDS) for the product
- Emergency information, often called a TREM card, for hazardous goods
- Licences for the product
How a movement runs with SSL
- Brief. You share the product, hazard class or UN number, quantity, and the loading and unloading points.
- Operator match. A tanker with the right tank type is selected.
- Documents. The invoice, e-way bill, safety data sheet and emergency information are checked before loading.
- Move. The tanker is loaded and moved under the approved procedures for the product.
- Deliver. The quantity is checked at unloading, and the proof of delivery closes the trip.
This service is partner-arranged. One SSL desk plans the movement and stays accountable to you from pickup to delivery. Vetted tanker operators provide the tanker and trained driver, and hold the PESO and hazardous-goods compliance and the loading procedures for the product.
Safe & Secure Logistics has been in road transport since 1951. We place 76,000+ truck hires a year through 110+ branches and offices, reaching 2,000+ destinations. Read more on our petroleum and bulk liquids service.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking a tanker without naming the exact product. The tank type depends on it.
- Putting a food liquid in a tank with no cleaning record.
- Sending the tanker without the safety data sheet and emergency information.
- Treating a compartment tanker as safe for mixed products.
Next step
Have a regular lane or a volume to tender? Send a request for quote. Need one movement priced? Ask for a quote.
Figures for Safe & Secure Logistics are for FY2025-26 from our booking register. How each one is counted is on the Facts and sources page.