Guide to export used tyres in containers.

What is tyre doubling and tripling?

The doubling and tripling of used tyres is a technique that allows you to reduce the volume of tires by inserting them into each other. They are packed in batches of 2, 3 or more in order to reduce the volume of a stock, which will be a clear advantage when exporting. If we cannot send 1200 without this technique, we can send more than 3500 with the triplication technique. Without this technique, sending used tyres in containers is not profitable because of the cost of shipping and customs clearance. But with it, the profits generated will be much greater.

How to double and triple tyres?

Hand doubling and tripling

Manual doubling and tripling is possible, but we do not recommend it for several reasons, time, result, price, uncertainty.

The first reason is that manual tripling requires a significant physical effort and is not fast enough for a large volume. There are service providers who do this, but the cost varies between 0.50€ and 3€ per tyres. For a full container this represents more money than the price of adapted equipment. As these service providers often do this as a second activity, their availability is often reduced and several weeks may be necessary, while the container is sometimes ordered. Also, the manual method does not respect the natural direction of the folding of the tyres, so you risk deforming them, losing their value, and if they are too damaged and badly inserted, a blockage in customs for transporting waste and not goods.

In conclusion, we do not advise to base your activity on this mode of operation, which is too uncertain and very expensive in comparison with an adapted machine.

With the Rhino Doubling and Tripling Machines

The Rhino Doubling and Tripling Machines make it easy to do the job safely, quickly and at a low cost. We have built the machine to be easy to use, with a single joystick. This means that only one operator is needed, and learning how to operate is very easy. The production rate is high and a batch can be made in less than a minute.  With the machine you can keep control of the preparation of your tires pack, in a safe and productive way, for a lower price than manual triplication from the first shipment.

How to use the Rhino Tripler Machines ?

The use is very simple, just follow the 3 pictures below. After compressing the tyre, choose a larger tyre or batch, insert it around it, and then decompress.

This way you will have made a pack in a few seconds. Then repeat as many times as you like.

3 – Decompressing

Sourcing and find used tyres for export

Collect tires

Where can you find your used tyres? Very simple, go to the garages around you to collect them for free, or for a very low price depending on the quality. This will be financially advantageous. You will allow the garage that holds the used tyres not to pay for recycling, garages pay recycling companies around 150 euros per tonne, i.e. 120 tyres, an expense they can avoid. They also save on the rental of collection vehicles, which is often compulsory.

Buying from export tires wholesalers

Buying from wholesalers is possible, but the wholesaler’s commission greatly reduces profits and availability is not always guaranteed.

Exporting used tyres

Avoiding problems at customs

It is important to know that there are customs rules for exporting used tyres to avoid the qualification as “transfer of waste” from one country to another.

To avoid any blockage at customs, it is important that the tyres are not too worn. It is not advisable to send tyres that are too smooth or damaged.

After tripling, it is preferable that the tyre has regained its original circular shape, if this is not the case, it is usually sufficient to press the tyre with the foot so that it fits correctly and thus avoids problems at customs.

How to store the tyres in the container ?

To store the tyres in the container, it is preferable to use the chaining technique, i.e. to combine them one inside the other in the following way :

This technique will maximise the number of tyres in a container, by using the space inside the tyres. Note that in this photo, the tyres are all the same size. It is also possible to chain tyres of different sizes.

How many tyres in a container ?

Let’s take the example of a 40-foot container HC, which will represent between 1000 and 1100 batches of tyres packaged by 3. There will therefore be a total of 3000 to 3300 tyres.

The batches of 3 are generally the most appropriate so as not to exceed the maximum authorised weight and risk blocking the container. Also, storage will be much easier.

As the maximum weight is generally 27.6 tonnes, this represents approximately 1080 batches of 3 tyres, i.e. 25.5 kilos per batch.