Canned drinks are the backbone of modern beverage eCommerce, and they fail in predictable ways: dented rims, pinholes and pressurized bursts. We fulfill canned energy drinks, sparkling waters, functional sodas, prebiotic drinks and ready-to-drink coffee with pack-outs and inspections built for aluminum.
Pack-outs for every can size
Standard 12 oz, sleek 12 oz, slim 8.4 oz and tall 16 oz cans each have different diameters and heights, and an insert that fits one will rattle with another. We set up pack-outs per can format, typically molded-pulp trays or corrugated partitions that hold each can upright, protect the rim and chime, and keep cans from striking each other.
Carbonated cans are under internal pressure, so a small dent at the rim or seam is more dangerous than it looks and can become a slow leak in transit. Non-carbonated cans, such as many still functional drinks and some coffee drinks, are less pressurized and more prone to crushing. Pack-outs and stacking rules account for both.
Receiving inspection for dents and swells
Damaged cans are cheaper to catch at receiving than at a customer's door. When pallets arrive, we check for crushed corners, wet or stained corrugate, dented cans visible through open trays and swollen or domed ends that can signal a problem with the contents.
Suspect cases are quarantined and photographed, and you decide whether to inspect further, return to the co-packer or dispose. During picking, packers are trained to reject dented units rather than pack them, and those rejections are recorded so recurring damage from a specific supplier, lot or freight lane becomes visible in reporting.
Shipping heavy can orders efficiently
Canned beverages are dense, so billable weight usually equals actual weight and the main cost levers are zone, packaging weight and carrier selection. Right-sized shippers avoid paying for empty space, and distributing inventory across more than one of our 25 U.S. markets reduces average shipping zones for larger brands.
Multi-pack sizes matter too. A 12-pack, a 24-pack and a variety 8-pack each land in different weight brackets, and the cost per can varies accordingly. We share cost-per-order data by pack size so you can choose bundle sizes and free-shipping thresholds that protect margin rather than guessing.
Frequently asked questions
Can canned drinks freeze and burst in shipping?
Yes. Water-based drinks expand as they freeze, and cans, especially carbonated ones, can bulge or burst. During cold months we apply weather holds, faster services or insulated pack-outs on lanes with freezing risk.
Do you handle slim and sleek cans?
Yes. Slim, sleek, standard and tall cans each get their own insert or tray so they are held snugly without rattling.
Are energy drinks hazardous materials for shipping?
No. Typical non-alcoholic energy drinks are not regulated as hazardous materials for ground parcel shipping. Products packaged with pressurized gas cartridges or aerosols are different and need review.