Reconditioning normally includes a leak test. The tote is closed, filled with air at low pressure and watched for a pressure drop or checked for escaping air at seams, the valve and the fill cap.
Why low pressure
The test is not meant to stress the tote. It is a leak-detection test, meant to find weeps that might not show while the tote is empty but would show under the weight of a full column of liquid. The pressure used stays well below what the tote is designed to handle.
Why it takes a few minutes
A small leak can hold pressure briefly before air finds its way out. Holding the pressure for a few minutes catches the slower leaks.
What it catches
Most leaks show up at the discharge valve or its gasket, often from a gasket that did not seat correctly. Those can be reseated or replaced and retested. A leak in the bottle wall itself usually means the bottle is retired and sent for recycling.
Hazmat totes
IBCs used for hazardous materials have specific leakproofness test requirements and intervals. Check current DOT/UN rules before using a tote for hazmat.
What to ask
When requesting a reconditioned tote, ask the partner supplier whether it was leak tested and when.