Any company that sells products will have to consider what types of shipping boxes are necessary for packaging customer orders. Even if your company doesn't sell a product, chances are you will need to ship packages regularly. Boxes used for mailing and shipping vary widely in terms of size, strength and materials.

The pricing and costs of shipping boxes will affect your office budget, so carefully consider the types of boxes you need to purchase for mailing and shipping. Boxes for mailing are offered through a variety of sources. For occasional packages, the United States Post Office provides free boxes. For companies that need a well-stocked supply of shipping boxes, you can find many types of boxes through:

1. Shipping supply companies that specialize in boxes used for shipping.

2. Companies that offer recycled boxes.

3. Shipping companies like UPS and FedEx.

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Get free large shipping boxes from the USPS or another shipping carrier

To provide customers with an easy way to ship items, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers free shipping boxes. All an individual or company must do is request free boxes to be delivered for a small shipping fee. Companies can also pick up boxes from their nearest location absolutely free.

I recommend: The USPS offers standard flat rate shipping boxes for free. They come in a variety of sizes in orders of 10, 25 or 50. The United Parcel Service also offers free boxes for shipping in a variety of sizes and shapes for specialty items. Skip McGrath provides a guide on saving money when shipping, which includes a list of resources for free shipping boxes.

Buy used or recycled shipping boxes

If you need to purchase a large amount of boxes but want to save some money and be eco-friendly, choose recycled and used boxes. Recycled boxes are new products made from old materials, while used boxes are the same products used over again. Companies that provide used boxes check their quality and strength before sending them out to a new customer. Used and recycled boxes can cost $65 to $90 for 100.

I recommend: Eco Box provides a range of used and recycled boxes for shipping all types of items. Many shipping box suppliers, such as Kirsh Carton, now offer to buy back gently used shipping boxes to resell or recycle. Transit Systems offer packing tips how to choose the best box for shipping, whether you use new or old boxes.

Choose corrugated boxes for shipping for your business

Corrugated boxes are a stronger type of material often used for packing and shipping. A corrugated box is made from cardboard like other boxes, but it consists of two panels with a fluted interior. This can protect what's inside the box from damage and from temperature changes in certain cases. A standard 11x11x11 corrugated box costs about $75.00 for a bundle of 100.

I recommend: Uline offers a wide range of corrugated boxes in different shapes and sizes for standard and oddly shaped items. DirectMovingBoxes.com has a guide on how a corrugated boxes' structure makes them stronger.

Boxes used for mailing need to sufficiently protect the products inside. Available in a wide array of sizes, styles and prices, shipping boxes should fit the product well, offer protection during handling and sustain structural integrity during shipping.

Whether you need corrugated boxes for shipping, insulated shipping boxes or shipping boxes in a variety of sizes, an experienced shipping box supplier can meet your needs. When choosing shipping boxes for sale, you should:

1. Use a distributor of shipping boxes that offers a wide variety of boxes used for mailing at competitive prices

2. Buy wholesale shipping boxes for a cost-effective solution to your ship box needs

3. Customize boxes for mailing with your business logo to increase brand recognition

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Find a supplier of boxes for shipping that offers ample variety

Shipping box needs change so use a supplier of shipping boxes that carries a variety of stock to meet your changing needs.

I recommend: Buy shipping boxes from ULINE, a specialist in the shipping supplies industry. From corrugated shipping boxes to boxes for mailing that meet UPS standards, ULINE has over 900 boxes in stock sure to meet your business needs. PackagingSupplies.com offers heavy-duty corrugated boxes for shipping in a variety of sizes, plus shipping boxes that meet regulations for hazardous materials shipping.

Purchase wholesale boxes for mailing

Wholesale shipping boxes are the sensible solution to your shipping box needs. Buy shipping boxes in bulk to receive discounted volume pricing.

I recommend: Paper Mart offers wholesale shipping boxes at volume price discounts. With a variety of shipping box sizes and next day shipment, Paper Mart offers a cost-effective solution to your shipping box needs. Use ShippingSupply.com to stock the boxes for mailing that are necessary for your business. The professionals at ShippingSupply.com offer hundreds of shipping boxes in a variety of sizes that meet or exceed the shipping requirements of UPS, FedEx and the US Postal Service.

Customize boxes for shipping

Choose the sizes, colors and print on your shipping boxes for a custom look. Add your business logo or advertisement to broadcast your brand to gain potential customers.

I recommend: Use CustomBoxesNow.com for your unique shipping box needs. Design your boxes for mailing with custom colors, sizes and graphics. Custom Made Boxes, Inc. offers shipping boxes made to order. Choose the size, style, quantity and ink colors you need to fit your products and receive a free quote.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set up a recycling station in your business to recycle damaged shipping boxes. Encourage customers to drop off boxes for mailing that can't be reused so they can help your company support the environment.

Are you using shipping boxes to mail items to another location of your own company? Are you shipping to an important client? Are you moving locations and shipping to yourself? Who you are shipping to can help determine the boxes used for mailing. If you are shipping store to store, traditional corrugated boxes for shipping should be just fine. As would be the case if you are looking to save money on client shipping.

V.I.P. clients may warrant higher end boxes for mailing such as white tuck top boxes that look nicer and more professional. If you are shipping to yourself or to someone who doesn't care what the box looks like, you can save even more money by purchasing second hand boxes called "once used" boxes, or misprinted mistake boxes from companies for major discounts.

To find out more about shipping boxes types and styles:

1. Go with standard corrugated shipping boxes for any regular shipping need.

2. Consider tucked top boxes for mailing for a cleaner shipping look for packages going to clients.

3. Create multiple shipping box sizes with multiple-depth shipping boxes.

Action Steps
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Look for standard corrugated boxes for shipping

Go with traditional shipping boxes for regular moving or if you aren't too particular about the look of your shipping needs. You can even save money by purchasing second hand boxes from suppliers.

I recommend: Find standard shipping boxes from MrBoxOnline.com. They carry many standard sizes, but they will also custom design a box to your specific needs. Check out the standard boxes from United Container. If you aren't too particular about what the outside of the box looks like, consider purchasing their "once used" box options or their "new obsolete or new misprinted" options.

Buy tucked top boxes for mailing

Tucked top boxes for shipping look clean and professional for sending out client merchandise. They usually come in white, and have a nice clean appearance to them.

I recommend: Take a look at the tucked top mailing boxes from PAPER MART. They are made white corrugated and are shipped flat and unfolded. They assemble without tape, and you save 15% when you order over $200 worth. PAPER MART also carries a wide variety of other box products, so be sure and browse their large selection. Look at the tuck top mailing box selection from Argrov Box. They even give you step-by-step instructions on their site how to assemble your boxes up receipt.

Save money on multiple-depth shipping boxes

Save money and space by purchasing multiple-depth shipping boxes. Their sides have creases in them at intervals, so you just cut at the creased height that you need, fold down where necessary, and you have a custom size carton.

I recommend: Purchase multi-depth boxes used for shipping from Uline. Their Models S-350 and S-351 are great for mailing business data printouts. These boxes have passed the 200 pound test, and you have up to 6 different box size capabilities. Find additional multi-depth boxes from FIRST PACKAGING OF CHICAGO. These boxes are 200#/32ect, Kraft corrugated, are shipped flat to save space and are 100% recyclable.

Shipping boxes come in all shapes and sizes. Shipping boxes are generally cardboard, reinforced, recycled or corrugated, but sometimes companies use other materials to ship products such as those made from Styrofoam for insulation.

Choose the best shipping box for the product you need to ship. Use heavy reinforced shipping boxes or corrugated containers for heavy items. Use custom boxes for odd shaped items. Utilize tuck top boxes for lightweight products. Know which box to use and successfully deliver your package.

Action Steps
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Recycled boxes

Recycled boxes are made of reused materials.

I recommend: Instructables provides details with photos on how to reuse recycled shipping boxes.

Corrugated boxes

Corrugated boxes are reinforced cardboard boxes designed to hold heavier items. Use these shipping boxes to decrease the risk of damage when sending heavier items.

I recommend: THARCO offers information about different types of corrugated shipping boxes with photos for clarity.

Insulated shipping containers

Insulated shipping containers contain packing material that keeps sensitive products at the correct temperature during transit. Insulated shipping containers may be shipping boxes or they may be Styrofoam chests.

I recommend: Cold Chain Technologies provides detailed information about insulated shipping containers with photos for clarity. Custom Pack offers information about insulated shipping containers.

Tucked top boxes

Tucked top boxes are shipping boxes that have a flap on the top that tucks into the box. These shipping boxes are lightweight and therefore it is not advisable to use them for heavier items.

I recommend: E Z Moving Box provides information about tucked top boxes and shows a picture of one.

Variable-depth shipping boxes

Variable-depth shipping boxes allow one to change the inside depth of the box. The company scores the boxes at various depths. Cut at the desired depth for the size box you need.

I recommend: Quill provides information about variable-depth shipping boxes.

Custom made boxes

Custom made boxes are made to order to fit the products you need to ship. These shipping boxes come in almost any size needed. One may also choose the material for the custom box.

I recommend: Custom Made Boxes make custom boxes to the specifications of the customer. Choose the size and style of the box or provide information on the product and they will make a box to fit it.