Are Jerry Cans legal? What is the law on fuel cans?

Date 8 May 2015
Read time 9 min read time

Note: We have endeavoured to make this article as accurate as possible using sources and citations from UK Government legislation which was valid and up to date at the time of posting in August 2015 and updated in June 2016, March 2017 & Feb 2018 and April 2020.

Here you will find the answers for the following common questions:

How much fuel can I store in my vehicle or home?
How many containers am I allowed to fill up?
What sizes of fuel cans may I use?
Are there different laws for plastic and metal cans?
Petrol station etiquette

Fuel Cans & the Law

Are Steel Jerrycans legal for carriage and storage of fuel?

Yes, provided they are UN Certified by an Approved Test House and embossed with the Certification number.

Are Plastic fuel cans legal for carriage and storage of fuel?

Yes provided they are manufactured to UN Standard and provided petrol is only placed in cans up to 10 Litre in size.

Is it legal to fill up a Steel or plastic Jerrycan at the petrol station?

Yes, it is legal. However, some filling stations may have their own local rules about filling portable fuel cans. These rules may cover the size and number of cans that are allowed to be filled.

What is the law concerning fuel cans?

Irrespective of the amount of fuel that is needed, most people prefer to remain legal and therefore we often get asked about the law concerning Fuel Cans and the storage of petrol. As you would expect the wording of the answer is quite long winded so we suggest the following this link : http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum.htm

How much fuel can you carry in your vehicle?

You are allowed to store up to 30 litres of fuel on your home or non-work premises without informing your local Petroleum Enforcement Agency (PEA).

However, you may also store up to 275 litres of fuel on your premises, but are required to obtain permission from your PEA, who may check that you are storing the fuel in an approved manner. To store more than this, you can apply for a licence to do so. For more information on all three cases, click this link to find out the HSE guidelines on storing fuel at your home or non-work premises.

How much fuel can I store at home?

You may store up to 275 litres of fuel on your premises, but are required to obtain permission from your PEA, who may check that you are storing the fuel in an approved manner. To store more than this, you can apply for a licence to do so. For more information on all three cases, click this link to find out the HSE guidelines on storing fuel at your home or non-work premises.

The Law

There is no consistent law surrounding fuel storage and there is currently no International, European or British Standard for the storage of petrol in metal containers. However, there are many references to a “suitable” or “robust” container in the legislation, which states that “a UN-Approved metal container meeting the performance requirements for the carriage of petrol… would be considered robust for most storage conditions.” In terms of volume, HSE states that “suitable petrol containers” include:

• Plastic containers up to 10 Litres
• Metal containers up to 20 Litres
• A demountable fuel tank.

Fortunately, Wavian 5L, 10L & 20L Jerry Cans are UN-approved, and therefore completely legal for storing and carrying fuel. The www.hse.gov.uk website states that “the regulations do not specify” how many containers can be filled at a petrol station, rather that it is a responsibility of the sites to do their own risk assessment on what is an acceptable number for their customers to fill.

Again, in The Red Guide (A document from the Petroleum Enforcement Liason Group detailing Petrol filling stations guidance on managing the risks of fire and explosion), it is stated that “A limit of two containers is generally accepted… (to allow) for compliance with the majority of storage conditions applicable to petrol…” . However, it goes on to elaborate that this doesn’t mean that it’s illegal to fill more, but it is up to the site to decide what is appropriate and safe.

Because of the complexity of the law, this may lead to some filling stations erring on the side of caution and limiting the amount their customers may fill- For example some Tesco petrol stations are reported to have a one-can policy, whereas Sainsburys insurance policy does not allow customers to fill more than 10 litres per container. This in turn can cause public misconceptions, as highlighted by this brief and dubious BBC article on the legality of fuel cans which incorrectly states the legal limit for filling cans at any petrol station is either two 10L metal containers and/or two 5L plastic containers.

However, it does highlight that much of the British legislation regarding petrol storage dates back to 1929- As the Jerry Can was first developed in 1937, these laws could be considered out of date!

1940’s Petrol Can

These were built in a range of varying shapes and sizes but were generally not much more than a lightweight tin with a lid. Much of the petrol storage legislation was written to apply to cans of this specification. When considering the difference between the relatively flimsy pre-WW2 fuel cans for which these laws were introduced, and the quality of a UN approved NATO Jerrycan (Which are to this day used in military operations worldwide), there still seems to be uncertainty and a panicked response at the sight of someone filling a can from a pump. The bottom line is that it is legal to fill metal cans of up to 20 Litres and plastic cans of up to 10 Litres from a petrol station. Many businesses have their own rules about what they allow and what may be allowed in one station may be completely forbidden in the next.

A Modern Day UN Approved Jerry Can

Some apparently hold the view that all Portable fuel cans are dangerous. Of course, this is incorrect as the vast majority of Jerry Cans in use worldwide today are new, built to modern specifications in modern production facilities and in fact the design has been improved since the 1930’s with the addition of rust-proof inner lining, ‘pickled’ corrosion resistant steel, powder coated exterior and rust-proof paint.

Petrol Station Etiquette – Will they allow it?

Because of the complexity of the law, this may lead to some filling stations erring on the side of caution and limiting the amount their customers may fill- For example some Tesco petrol stations are reported to have a one-can policy, whereas Sainsburys insurance policy does not allow customers to fill more than 10 litres per container. This in turn can cause public misconceptions, as highlighted by this brief and dubious BBC article on the legality o f fuel cans which incorrectly states the legal limit for filling cans at any petrol station is either two 10L metal containers and/or two 5L plastic containers.

The best approach is to vet your petrol station first to avoid an unpleasant confrontation- Approach or call them before filling your can and let them know what you intend to do. If you are using a good quality Jerrycan, such as the Wavian brand, mention this and the fact that it is UN approved. Additionally, make sure that your can is clean and looks to be in serviceable condition. A dirty, dented can is likely to cause more alarm than a new one.

If they tell you “no”, then it is more likely to be a case of the station’s policy rather than the law itself, and unfortunately you must respect this. If you have a 20 litre can and they inform you that you may only “legally” fill 10 litres at their station, there is no good reason for them to stop you filling your can half-way so just say that you’ll fill it up to 10 litres and not a drop more. Finally, be amicable in the face of confrontation. As many people are unsure or misinformed about the legality of fuel can use, don’t be surprised if you are challenged or queried when filling up. A cool head and straight facts may convince even the most pedantic jobsworth. Appearing frustrated and defensive may make them assume you are a budding arsonist!

Click here to view our high quality Wavian Steel Jerry Cans >

Are Jerry Cans legal? What is the law on fuel cans?

Here you will find the answers for the following common questions:

Fuel Cans & the Law

The Law

1940’s Petrol Can

A Modern Day UN Approved Jerry Can

Petrol Station Etiquette – Will they allow it?

Further Reading

Further Insights

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