Abstract: A unitary, removable, transportation ring for retaining the lid or cover on a cylindrical container, such as a metal paint can, which operatively fits over the outer margin of the container's friction-fit cover and upper rim flange; such ring being molded of rigid plastic material to form a unitary annular member of generally inverted U-shape cross section defining an annular body having a raised planar platform forming a stacking ring on the upper side of its body and two parallel annular limbs depending from the underside of the body; the radially outer annular limb having a continuous radially inwardly projecting locking bead or finger adapted to underengage the upper rim flange of the container whereby to secure and retain the transportation ring in operating position while the inner annular limb is relatively longer and thinner than the outer limb and is designed to depend freely into an underlying annular recess formed near the outer edge of the container's lid or cover to frictionally fit into a corres