Diesel and gasoline canisters: rules and safety measures

If the fuel is cheaper again, then you could fill a few reserve canisters at the gas station and bunker gasoline or diesel. The thought is understandable, but is it allowed to store fuel at home in Germany? You can find out how to transport a petrol canister safely and what else you need to pay attention to with us.

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Reserve canisters: these regulations apply in Germany

Due to the development of fuel prices in Germany, it makes sense to store larger quantities of cheap fuel in canisters. Whether diesel, Super or E-10 gasoline - as soon as the price drops, many want to strike.

Of course, there are certain regulations in Germany for carrying petrol canisters. Here one may still understand the reason for the regulations - after all, gasoline and diesel are flammable substances. So if you're worried that you'll soon be stranded in the tank without fuel, you should check all the regulations on reserve canisters before transporting a canister in the car or storing gasoline privately.

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Approval standard of canister

In order to be allowed to carry a canister of fuel at all, the canister must meet a certain standard. This is necessary because not all types of plastic are suitable for fuel. Some materials decompose when they come into contact with gasoline. That's why you can only use petrol canisters that have the appropriate marking – whether metal or plastic.

This approval standard (RKK approval) is the DIN standard 7274 and means:

• The canister must be tightly sealable,
• Be completely leak-proof and break-proof
• and must not be older than 5 years.

The abbreviation RKK stands for reserve fuel canisters. If a canister has this marking, then the manufacturer, nominal volume, registration mark, month and year of production and minimum dimensions without closure and accessories are recognizable.

 

How much fuel can you carry?

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to transport as many canisters as fit in the car. In Germany, there is a regulation for the transport of petrol canisters. A maximum of the following quantities may be transported in private vehicles:

• maximum 60 litres per reserve canister
• a maximum of 240 litres of fuel per car, i.e. a maximum of 4 full canisters

However, this does not automatically mean that you have to transport the maximum number of canisters. For safety reasons, it is recommended to carry a maximum of 10 litres of fuel in the car.

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Safety instructions for transporting reserve canisters

To ensure that you have the safest place in the car, the canister should be transported in such a way that the highest possible safety is guaranteed. This is the case if:

• the gas canister is as far away from you as possible.
• the canister is best stored in the trunk.
• you secure the reserve canister with tension straps.

It is important that you store the canisters in the car in such a way that they cannot fall over when cornering. In the worst case, the canister opens and fuel enters the interior. Then a small spark is enough to set the fuel on fire. Accordingly, you should avoid transporting gasoline in hot summer months.

 

Store fuel at home

There are also maximum limits for the private storage of gasoline or diesel. If you want to store fuel in your garage at home, it depends on which state you live in. In Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, for example, you would be allowed to store up to 200 liters of diesel in the garage, but only 20 liters of gasoline. No matter what fuel, everything must be tightly sealed and stored in shatterproof containers.

Diesel is allowed more because it is not as flammable as gasoline. Therefore, find out in advance about the regulations in your state.

We would like to point out that storing fuel at home should not be taken lightly – it can quickly become life-threatening. If reserve canisters are not tightly sealed, flammable fumes can escape. Even the smallest spark could trigger an explosion.

It is also important to consider how long fuel actually lasts. What good is it if you have tons of fuel at home and then can't use it. The concerns are understandable, but unnecessary. Fuel – whether diesel, gasoline or even heating oil – has no minimum shelf life. If stored in a cool, dark and tightly closed place, it can also be used for several years.

With diesel, however, it could happen that the quality suffers. This is caused by the so-called diesel plague. Diesel contains a proportion of biodiesel and bacterial cultures can form if stored for a long time. If a critical amount is exceeded, filters or injection pumps can become clogged.

Reserve canisters abroad

Of course, each of us wants to save fuel. Theoretically, you can also save money by bringing fuel from abroad across the border. Gasoline and diesel often do not cost as much in neighboring countries as they do here. But is that allowed?

Strict regulations apply to the import of fuel into Germany. Only one canister with 20 liters is allowed – and this is not primarily for safety-related reasons, but for tax reasons. As already noted, fuel is expensive in Germany. This is mainly due to the high taxes on fuel. Anyone who imports a large amount of fuel is therefore guilty of tax evasion.

Also make sure that you are only allowed to import a 10 liter reserve canister into Austria and the Czech Republic. We have put together some countries and tell you how much fuel you can carry in reserve canisters:

In the following countries, it is prohibited to carry fuel in reserve canisters:

• Croatia
• Greece
• Luxembourg
• Bulgaria
• Romania

Customs frontiers

If you enter or leave non-EU countries, the fuel must be cleared in the reserve canister. Within the EU, there are no longer any customs borders for the fuel. However, if more than 20 litres are imported into Germany, the mineral oil tax must be paid.

Special case ferry

If you are traveling by car on vacation and use a ferry, then there are also special rules regarding taking fuel in canisters.

• Prohibition of reserve canisters on all ships to Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Cyprus.
• Carrying fuel may also be prohibited in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Get the information from the responsible ferry company.

 

Penalties and fines

Various offenses can be considered here. For example, if you don't properly secure the canisters, you can get a fine of up to 75 euros and get a point in Flensburg. Abroad, the penalty may be higher under certain circumstances.