Wavian Jerry Cans — Built for Duty
The NATO jerry can pattern, still built the original way: 0.9mm cold-rolled steel, fully welded recessed seams, and a bayonet-latched cap. Made in Latvia. Stocked and shipped in the USA by Swiss Link.
Swiss Link is the exclusive authorized distributor for Wavian in North America. For brand background, full specifications and product education, visit Wavian USA — the official Wavian site.
The Original NATO Pattern, In Production Since 1937
The jerry can was designed in Germany in the 1930s — a fuel container engineered so well that Allied forces reverse-engineered captured examples during the Second World War and copied it wholesale. Nearly ninety years later, that same pattern is still the standard, and Wavian still builds to it.
Wavian fuel cans are manufactured in Latvia, where the cans, spouts, holders and replacement parts are all produced. We have visited the factory. Every can is formed from 0.9mm cold-rolled steel, welded rather than crimped, and lined internally to protect the steel and keep stored fuel clean.
Swiss Link is the exclusive authorized Wavian distributor in North America. Cans are stocked in Chico, California and ship domestically, which means no import wait and no question about whether what arrives is the genuine article rather than a look-alike pressing.
Engineered for Every Detail
Every component is designed with purpose — from the bayonet closure to the internal breather pipe. No shortcuts, no compromises.
0.9mm Cold-Rolled Steel
Heavy-gauge steel that takes impacts and drops in field use without splitting. Steel does not soften in heat, go brittle in cold, or degrade in sunlight the way plastic does.
Fully Welded, Recessed Seams
The seams are welded and recessed rather than crimped like cheap knockoff cans. There is no folded metal joint to work loose, and the recess protects the weld from knocks.
Bayonet-Latched Cap
The cam-lever bayonet cap closes with one hand and pulls the gasket down evenly across the whole face. No threads to cross-thread, no cap to over-tighten or split.
Rezol Interior Lining
A phenolic Rezol lining separates fuel from bare steel, protecting the interior against corrosion and keeping rust particles out of the fuel — which matters most for small engines and generators.
Internal Breather Pipe
A built-in air channel equalizes pressure as you pour, so fuel comes out in a steady stream instead of glugging and surging. Less splash, less waste.
Three-Handle Top
Carry one can with the center handle, or two cans at once using the outer handles. It is the detail that gave the original design away as something built by people who had to move fuel by hand.
Locking Pin
The pin secures the lever against being knocked open in transport, and accepts a padlock if you need to deter fuel theft from a truck bed, trailer or yard.
Parts You Can Replace
Gaskets, pins, caps and spouts are all available separately. A can with a worn gasket is a five-dollar fix, not a landfill item — which is much of why these last decades.
One Color Per Fuel Type
Color-coding fuel containers is how you avoid putting the wrong liquid in an engine. Wavian cans come in five colors so each fuel on your property can have its own.
Red for gasoline, yellow for diesel and blue for kerosene follow common US practice. Olive drab and black have no assigned fuel — label them for whatever you need.
Choose Your Size
Two capacities, identical construction. Both are available in all five colors.
Wavian 20L Jerry Can
The standard NATO size, and the one most people mean when they say jerry can. Suits vehicles, generators, boats, tractors and emergency fuel reserves.
Steel 0.9mm cold-rolled, welded recessed seams
Lining Rezol phenolic
Wavian 10L Jerry Can
Half the volume and roughly half the carry weight when full — about 17 lbs of gasoline instead of 33. The size to choose for motorcycles, lawn equipment and anywhere shelf space is tight.
Steel 0.9mm cold-rolled, welded recessed seams
Lining Rezol phenolic
Complete Your Setup
Wavian Fuel Spout
Longer reach and better control for recessed fuel inlets. Colour-matched to the cans.
Shop Now
20L Can + Holder Bundle
Can and matching steel holder together, for mounting on a truck, trailer or rack.
Shop Now
Replacement Pins (3-Pack)
The one part people lose. Cheap to keep spares of.
Shop Now
Scratch & Dent 20L
Cosmetic seconds at a discount. Same steel, same closure, imperfect paint.
Shop DealsSteel Cans vs. Plastic Cans
Plastic fuel cans are lighter and cheaper. Steel wins on the things that decide whether a can is still usable in ten years.
| Feature | Wavian Steel | Typical Plastic Can |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 0.9mm cold-rolled steel | Blow-moulded HDPE |
| Seams | Welded and recessed | Moulded seam |
| Closure | Bayonet cam lever, one-handed | Threaded screw cap |
| UV Exposure | Unaffected | Embrittles over years outdoors |
| Heat & Cold | Holds shape | Can swell, warp or crack |
| Vapour Permeation | Steel is not permeable | Plastic permeates over time |
| Pouring | Internal breather pipe | Varies by spout design |
| Repairable | Gaskets, pins, caps, spouts sold separately | Usually replace the whole can |
| Lockable | Pin accepts a padlock | Generally not |
| Weight Empty | Heavier | Lighter |
Comparison is against typical consumer blow-moulded plastic fuel cans. Individual products vary — check the specific can you are comparing against.
Watch Reviews & Demos
Our own walkthroughs, plus independent testing we had no hand in.
Wavian Jerry Can Overview
Swiss Link · 5:08
Steel vs. Plastic — The Truth
Swiss Link · 4:17
Best Fuel Can? (Independent Test)
Project Farm · 18:14
Emergency Preparedness Review
TheUrbanPrepper · 9:41
Project Farm and TheUrbanPrepper are independent channels. Their videos are linked here because they tested the product on their own terms — they are not sponsored by or affiliated with Swiss Link.
Built for Every Mission
From weekend off-roaders to fleet operators — anyone who needs fuel to still be good when they get to it.
Off-Road & Overland
Mount cans externally in matching steel holders. The bayonet closure and welded seams are what you want when the can spends all day being shaken on a rack.
Emergency Preparedness
A generator is only as useful as the fuel beside it. Steel and a sealed closure protect a stored reserve far better than plastic left in a shed.
Marine & Aviation
Where mixing up two fuels is a serious mistake, colour-coded cans earn their keep. Follow your own operating rules for fuel handling and grounding.
Farm & Ranch
Tractors, ATVs, mowers, pumps and generators, often fuelled far from the pump. Cans live outdoors for years here, which is exactly where plastic gives up first.
Fleet & Commercial
Colour-coding cuts cross-contamination across a yard, and replaceable parts keep a fleet of cans in service instead of in the skip. Confirm the storage and transport rules for your site.
Surplus & Restoration
Building out a period-correct vehicle or kit. This is the original pattern rather than a modern reinterpretation of it, in the colours it actually came in.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fuel cans are made in Latvia, as are the spouts, holders and replacement parts. We have visited the factory. The one exception is the 22L water can, which is made in Australia from food-grade BPA-free resin. There is a full breakdown on the Wavian USA origin page.
Petroleum fuels — gasoline, diesel and kerosene. Use the colour system to keep them apart: red for gasoline, yellow for diesel, blue for kerosene. Olive drab and black are unassigned, so label them yourself. Do not use fuel cans for drinking water; the 22L water can is a separate product built for that.
Only capacity and size. Both use the same 0.9mm steel, the same bayonet closure and the same Rezol lining. The 20L holds 5.3 US gallons and is the standard NATO size. The 10L holds 2.6 gallons and weighs roughly half as much when full — about 17 lbs of gasoline against 33 — which is the deciding factor for most people who choose it.
You can pour straight from the can — the internal breather pipe keeps the flow steady rather than glugging. A spout is worth adding for recessed filler necks and for anything you need to fill precisely. Spouts are sold separately and colour-matched to the cans.
It identifies the can as a UN specification packaging — a steel jerrican built and tested to a recognised international standard for carrying dangerous goods. In the US, that marking scheme is the one set out in 49 CFR Part 178. What you are required to use for your own situation depends on the fuel, the quantity and whether you are transporting it commercially, so check the rules that apply to you.
Yes, and it is a large part of why these cans stay in service for decades. Gaskets, locking pins, caps and spouts are all stocked individually. A can that will not seal is usually a worn gasket, not a dead can.
Yes. Swiss Link is the exclusive authorized Wavian distributor in North America, buying direct from the manufacturer and stocking inventory in Chico, California. Every other North American seller of Wavian product, including national industrial catalogs, sources through us. Buying here means genuine Wavian product, US-based shipping, and someone to call who actually knows the product line. The official brand site is Wavian USA.
Yes. We supply retailers, fleets and commercial buyers, including full pallets of 72 cans. Volume pricing is handled through our wholesale team — apply using the link at the bottom of this page.
Ready to Upgrade Your Fuel Storage?
Two sizes, five colours, and the accessories and spare parts to keep them running. Stocked in California and shipping now.
Looking for brand background, full specifications or product guides rather than to buy right now? Visit Wavian USA.
Wavian Jerry Cans — Built for Duty
The NATO jerry can pattern, still built the original way: 0.9mm cold-rolled steel, fully welded recessed seams, and a bayonet-latched cap. Made in Latvia. Stocked and shipped in the USA by Swiss Link.
Swiss Link is the exclusive authorized distributor for Wavian in North America. For brand background, full specifications and product education, visit Wavian USA — the official Wavian site.
The Original NATO Pattern, In Production Since 1937
The jerry can was designed in Germany in the 1930s — a fuel container engineered so well that Allied forces reverse-engineered captured examples during the Second World War and copied it wholesale. Nearly ninety years later, that same pattern is still the standard, and Wavian still builds to it.
Wavian fuel cans are manufactured in Latvia, where the cans, spouts, holders and replacement parts are all produced. We have visited the factory. Every can is formed from 0.9mm cold-rolled steel, welded rather than crimped, and lined internally to protect the steel and keep stored fuel clean.
Swiss Link is the exclusive authorized Wavian distributor in North America. Cans are stocked in Chico, California and ship domestically, which means no import wait and no question about whether what arrives is the genuine article rather than a look-alike pressing.
Engineered for Every Detail
Every component is designed with purpose — from the bayonet closure to the internal breather pipe. No shortcuts, no compromises.
0.9mm Cold-Rolled Steel
Heavy-gauge steel that takes impacts and drops in field use without splitting. Steel does not soften in heat, go brittle in cold, or degrade in sunlight the way plastic does.
Fully Welded, Recessed Seams
The seams are welded and recessed rather than crimped like cheap knockoff cans. There is no folded metal joint to work loose, and the recess protects the weld from knocks.
Bayonet-Latched Cap
The cam-lever bayonet cap closes with one hand and pulls the gasket down evenly across the whole face. No threads to cross-thread, no cap to over-tighten or split.
Rezol Interior Lining
A phenolic Rezol lining separates fuel from bare steel, protecting the interior against corrosion and keeping rust particles out of the fuel — which matters most for small engines and generators.
Internal Breather Pipe
A built-in air channel equalizes pressure as you pour, so fuel comes out in a steady stream instead of glugging and surging. Less splash, less waste.
Three-Handle Top
Carry one can with the center handle, or two cans at once using the outer handles. It is the detail that gave the original design away as something built by people who had to move fuel by hand.
Locking Pin
The pin secures the lever against being knocked open in transport, and accepts a padlock if you need to deter fuel theft from a truck bed, trailer or yard.
Parts You Can Replace
Gaskets, pins, caps and spouts are all available separately. A can with a worn gasket is a five-dollar fix, not a landfill item — which is much of why these last decades.
One Color Per Fuel Type
Color-coding fuel containers is how you avoid putting the wrong liquid in an engine. Wavian cans come in five colors so each fuel on your property can have its own.
Red for gasoline, yellow for diesel and blue for kerosene follow common US practice. Olive drab and black have no assigned fuel — label them for whatever you need.
Choose Your Size
Two capacities, identical construction. Both are available in all five colors.
Wavian 20L Jerry Can
The standard NATO size, and the one most people mean when they say jerry can. Suits vehicles, generators, boats, tractors and emergency fuel reserves.
Steel 0.9mm cold-rolled, welded recessed seams
Lining Rezol phenolic
Wavian 10L Jerry Can
Half the volume and roughly half the carry weight when full — about 17 lbs of gasoline instead of 33. The size to choose for motorcycles, lawn equipment and anywhere shelf space is tight.
Steel 0.9mm cold-rolled, welded recessed seams
Lining Rezol phenolic
Complete Your Setup
Wavian Fuel Spout
Longer reach and better control for recessed fuel inlets. Colour-matched to the cans.
Shop Now
20L Can + Holder Bundle
Can and matching steel holder together, for mounting on a truck, trailer or rack.
Shop Now
Replacement Pins (3-Pack)
The one part people lose. Cheap to keep spares of.
Shop Now
Scratch & Dent 20L
Cosmetic seconds at a discount. Same steel, same closure, imperfect paint.
Shop DealsSteel Cans vs. Plastic Cans
Plastic fuel cans are lighter and cheaper. Steel wins on the things that decide whether a can is still usable in ten years.
| Feature | Wavian Steel | Typical Plastic Can |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 0.9mm cold-rolled steel | Blow-moulded HDPE |
| Seams | Welded and recessed | Moulded seam |
| Closure | Bayonet cam lever, one-handed | Threaded screw cap |
| UV Exposure | Unaffected | Embrittles over years outdoors |
| Heat & Cold | Holds shape | Can swell, warp or crack |
| Vapour Permeation | Steel is not permeable | Plastic permeates over time |
| Pouring | Internal breather pipe | Varies by spout design |
| Repairable | Gaskets, pins, caps, spouts sold separately | Usually replace the whole can |
| Lockable | Pin accepts a padlock | Generally not |
| Weight Empty | Heavier | Lighter |
Comparison is against typical consumer blow-moulded plastic fuel cans. Individual products vary — check the specific can you are comparing against.
Watch Reviews & Demos
Our own walkthroughs, plus independent testing we had no hand in.
Wavian Jerry Can Overview
Swiss Link · 5:08
Steel vs. Plastic — The Truth
Swiss Link · 4:17
Best Fuel Can? (Independent Test)
Project Farm · 18:14
Emergency Preparedness Review
TheUrbanPrepper · 9:41
Project Farm and TheUrbanPrepper are independent channels. Their videos are linked here because they tested the product on their own terms — they are not sponsored by or affiliated with Swiss Link.
Built for Every Mission
From weekend off-roaders to fleet operators — anyone who needs fuel to still be good when they get to it.
Off-Road & Overland
Mount cans externally in matching steel holders. The bayonet closure and welded seams are what you want when the can spends all day being shaken on a rack.
Emergency Preparedness
A generator is only as useful as the fuel beside it. Steel and a sealed closure protect a stored reserve far better than plastic left in a shed.
Marine & Aviation
Where mixing up two fuels is a serious mistake, colour-coded cans earn their keep. Follow your own operating rules for fuel handling and grounding.
Farm & Ranch
Tractors, ATVs, mowers, pumps and generators, often fuelled far from the pump. Cans live outdoors for years here, which is exactly where plastic gives up first.
Fleet & Commercial
Colour-coding cuts cross-contamination across a yard, and replaceable parts keep a fleet of cans in service instead of in the skip. Confirm the storage and transport rules for your site.
Surplus & Restoration
Building out a period-correct vehicle or kit. This is the original pattern rather than a modern reinterpretation of it, in the colours it actually came in.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fuel cans are made in Latvia, as are the spouts, holders and replacement parts. We have visited the factory. The one exception is the 22L water can, which is made in Australia from food-grade BPA-free resin. There is a full breakdown on the Wavian USA origin page.
Petroleum fuels — gasoline, diesel and kerosene. Use the colour system to keep them apart: red for gasoline, yellow for diesel, blue for kerosene. Olive drab and black are unassigned, so label them yourself. Do not use fuel cans for drinking water; the 22L water can is a separate product built for that.
Only capacity and size. Both use the same 0.9mm steel, the same bayonet closure and the same Rezol lining. The 20L holds 5.3 US gallons and is the standard NATO size. The 10L holds 2.6 gallons and weighs roughly half as much when full — about 17 lbs of gasoline against 33 — which is the deciding factor for most people who choose it.
You can pour straight from the can — the internal breather pipe keeps the flow steady rather than glugging. A spout is worth adding for recessed filler necks and for anything you need to fill precisely. Spouts are sold separately and colour-matched to the cans.
It identifies the can as a UN specification packaging — a steel jerrican built and tested to a recognised international standard for carrying dangerous goods. In the US, that marking scheme is the one set out in 49 CFR Part 178. What you are required to use for your own situation depends on the fuel, the quantity and whether you are transporting it commercially, so check the rules that apply to you.
Yes, and it is a large part of why these cans stay in service for decades. Gaskets, locking pins, caps and spouts are all stocked individually. A can that will not seal is usually a worn gasket, not a dead can.
Yes. Swiss Link is the exclusive authorized Wavian distributor in North America, buying direct from the manufacturer and stocking inventory in Chico, California. Every other North American seller of Wavian product, including national industrial catalogs, sources through us. Buying here means genuine Wavian product, US-based shipping, and someone to call who actually knows the product line. The official brand site is Wavian USA.
Yes. We supply retailers, fleets and commercial buyers, including full pallets of 72 cans. Volume pricing is handled through our wholesale team — apply using the link at the bottom of this page.
Ready to Upgrade Your Fuel Storage?
Two sizes, five colours, and the accessories and spare parts to keep them running. Stocked in California and shipping now.
Looking for brand background, full specifications or product guides rather than to buy right now? Visit Wavian USA.