In technical usage in the shipping industry, a pail is a type of cylindrical shipping container with a capacity of about 3 to 50 litres (1 to 13 US gal).
It can have straight or slanted sides and usually has a handle or bail.
[1] In non-technical usage, a pail is synonymous with a bucket.
Pails are used for a variety of fluids and flowable materials.
When properly constructed and certified, they may be used for dangerous goods shipments.