Are there different size boxes?

When it comes to selecting the best box size to ship your letter or package, you have a wealth of choices from FedEx, UPS, and USPS. So much so, that trying to guess which is the best choice for eCommerce businesses to use when shipping for your customers can present a real challenge. To better understand what your options are, which ones are best for what, and some price comparisons, we’ve created this guide.

Unsure how to get started? Speak to one of our eCommerce fulfillment experts. We’ll help guide you to the right choices to boxes and tools to simplify your decision. They can also walk you through how our services can optimize your box selection and best protect your product for shipping.

FedEx boxes

FedEx makes available a wide range of box sizes for your shipping needs. Whether you’re a regular customer or a new business, you can order boxes online or pick them up from a FedEx store for a small fee. Once you’ve created a FedEx account, you’ll have access to a several free options as well.

Now, here are three categories of FedEx packaging. They also offer some freight boxes, including flat-rate freight, but you should speak with a fulfillment expert for help determining what’s suitable for your products and how to manage your inventory for these types of shipments.\

FedEx standard box sizes and pricing

Here are many of the most common box sizes for your eCommerce business. Consider the size of your goods and the amount of infill you’ll need to protect your products.

Specialty box sizes

Both FedEx and FedEx Office provide multiple specialty boxes in different sizes:

FedEx flat-rate shipping boxes

UPS box sizes

Like most carriers, UPS offers a range of pre-made packages and box for you to use for shipping. Choosing one of these can make it easier to calculate your shipping and fulfillment costs. It’s also a good way to protect your products when shipping. Consider trying out various UPS boxes to discover what best fits and protects your products while keeping costs in check. UPS also offers packing and freight shipping services. Because these boxes aren’t always standard, you may want to reach out to UPS or a 3PL provider like Red Stag Fulfillment for a more detailed quote and box information.

The following boxes and envelopes are available to order on UPS. By creating a company account with UPS, you can order them for free on the UPS website. Please note that buying them at UPS store is more expensive.

UPS flat-rate shipping boxes

UPS also offers flat-rate shipping options, and these can be applied to the boxes you get directly from UPS as well as your existing packaging. FedEx and USPS do not have the flat-rate option for using existing packaging. Please note that you’ll be paying the simple retail rate unless you’ve negotiated a better deal.

USPS box sizes

USPS offers a very wide range of shipping box sizes. The ones featured here focus on their core offering and flat-rate solutions because these are typically the ones that eCommerce companies use.

Use the postal service’s store to review its shipping supplies. There are more than 100 options to choose from, including 72 products that you can get sent to your business for free.

Understanding eCommerce box sizes

Your business should look at all its box options and try to slim things down because carriers use multiple calculations to set the price for shipping your products to customers. To test and understand these pricing differences, you’ll want to have the existing rate table and a dimensional weight (DIM) scale available.

UPS, FedEx, and USPS use your package’s actual weight and its DIM weight to determine the weight-calculation they apply to your cost. DIM weight is a calculation based on overall box size to build pricing around the volume of your package. It’s designed to help the carrier generate revenue based on large but light products. You’ll fill up their trucks quickly with large items, so they’re charging based on that space utilization.

Try our DIM weight calculator here to test pricing from all three carriers

Your order fulfillment partner can help you find creative ways to stay on top of the DIM weight. This reduction might be shifting your packaging options around to one of the options above or choosing your package designed to slim down overall size while ensuring products are protected.

5 ways RSF works to keep your costs downf

1. Negotiate better DIM rates: By shipping high volumes of large, heavy products with carriers, Red Stag has negotiated more favorable rates. We pass those discounts directly on to you, including higher DIM factors that reduce dimensional shipping costs.
2. Compare every option: Red Stag Fulfillment reviews your products during onboarding and every order during the packing phase to find the best possible shipping for that order. We start with cost-effective solutions and DIM weight comparisons to trim down costs while also ensuring your order arrives on time and complete every time.
3. Optimize boxes for each order: By working together, we’ll determine the correct box sizes for your products and orders, plus the correct infill to protect products while controlling for weight.
4. Consolidate packaging: When customers order more from you, they still tend to want as many items as possible in as few boxes as possible. We help you make their dream come true by identifying cost-effective ways to consolidate orders. We make it easier to minimize the price for even larger boxes and orders with our special savings on large, bulky goods.
5. Split orders across boxes: Sometimes, your lightweight goods have significant DIM weight costs because of their size. We work with companies to determine if they can split orders, or even products, across multiple boxes to reduce box size. When there’s a significant reduction, you can often save money by shipping across multiple boxes instead of one oversized, lightweight box.

What’s next for your eCommerce business?

Now that you’ve learned more about box sizes for UPS, FedEx, and USPS, it’s time to start optimizing your packaging and infill for your orders. That’ll ensure you’re spending wisely while keeping customers satisfied. These guides and blogs can help you get started on that journey.

Your product is finished and you’re ready to start selling, but there’s still one more step — what are you going to ship it in? With so many different sizes and types of boxes out there, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what the right choice for your products is. 

 

 

Shipping boxes vs. mailer boxes, rigid vs. corrugated — when it seems like there are unlimited options, it’s easy to get frustrated. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to make the entire packing and shipping process easy and seamless. 

At Box Genie we’re experts in packaging — here’s everything you need to know to get your products out to your customers. 

Consider The Product

The first thing you need to do to decide the size of your package and what type of packaging you will need is to consider your product. Different types of products require different types of packaging. For example, heavy objects will likely need more durable packaging material like corrugated cardboard. This material is thicker and has a folded middle layer that adds strength and protection.

Another element you need to consider is fragility. If any of your products are fragile, you will need to make special packaging considerations to make sure that everything arrives to the customer in one piece. We recommend using a thicker corrugated box for these circumstances in addition to custom product inserts to keep everything safe in transit. 

Finally, make sure that the type of packaging you use is a good fit for the products you’re selling. For example, if you’re selling high-end products, your customers may expect visually appealing, high-end packaging. If you’re selling eco-friendly products, your customers may expect eco-friendly packaging as a part of your brand’s commitment to the environment. 

Take Your Measurements

Now it’s time for the next step — measuring your products. If you’re only packaging a single product, then this is easy. However, If you’re packaging multiple products in one box then it may take some experimentation to find the best layout right.

Figuring out the perfect layout is important. Think about how the customer will see the products for the first time when they unbox the package. Try to think about what they would want to see and what’s aesthetically appealing. 

When it comes to packaging measurements, the dimensions will always be the measurements of the inside of the box. This means that if your products fit within the measurements, they should always fit in the box.

In total, record three different measurements in the unit of inches:

• The length (L) from side to side
• The width (W) from front to back
• The depth (D) from top to bottom

It’s often a good idea to add an extra 0.25 inches to your measurements just to make sure that there’s a bit of wiggle room there and your items won’t be crammed into the box with no room to spare. Make a note of these measurements for quick reference.

Weigh Your Product

Weight is one of the measurements shipping companies use to decide how much shipping your product will cost. Unnecessarily heavy packaging will add to your shipping costs, so it’s important to find the right balance between weight and strength.

It’s a best practice to weigh your items before you decide on the right packaging type. Consider investing in a quality shipping scale to get accurate weights for all your products.

Select the Right Box Size

After gathering your measurements and weight, the next step is to find a box that fits your needs. If you’re buying boxes from a manufacturer you might not be able to find a box that matches your dimensions perfectly. 

Here's a list of commonly used box sizes:

Mailer Boxes:

• 4 x 4 x 2 inches
• 6 x 6 x 2 inches
• 8 x 5 x 3 inches
• 8 x 6 x 4 inches
• 9 x 8 x 3 inches
• 10 x 9 x 4 inches
• 14 x 10 x 4 inches

Shipping Boxes:

• 6 x 6 x 6 inches
• 8 x 8 x 8 inches
• 10 x 10 x 8 inches
• 12 x 12 x 6 inches
• 12 x 12 x 10 inches
• 14 x 14 x 12 inches
• 16 x 14 x 14 inches
• 20 x 18 x 12 inches

These sizes are a starting point, but there are thousands of variations to fit your specific needs. 

Mailer Boxes vs. Shipping Boxes

There are two main types of packaging used to ship products — mailer boxes and shipping boxes. 

Mailer boxes are designed for direct mail and are favored for their self-locking designs and aesthetic appeal. Their construction allows for easy assembly and a presentable unboxing experience. They can also be customized with your brand logos and other information, making them popular among subscription box services, e-commerce brands, and businesses seeking a premium look.

Mailer Box Features:

• Aesthetic Appeal: Mailer boxes provide a sleek, professional look that enhances brand value and customer unboxing experience.
• Durability: They are structurally sound, offering better protection for items during transit.
• Customization: Easy to print on and customize, mailer boxes can be tailored to match brand identity, providing an effective marketing tool.
• Eco-friendly Options: Many mailer boxes are made from recycled materials and are recyclable, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

Shipping boxes are the most common type of packaging used for a wide range of products. These boxes are versatile, available in various sizes and strengths, and are designed to accommodate everything from lightweight to heavy items. Shipping boxes are typically made from corrugated cardboard and are an economical choice for businesses looking for functional packaging.

Shipping Box Features:

• Versatility: Available in a wide range of sizes, shipping boxes can accommodate almost any product.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Less expensive than mailer boxes, making them suitable for businesses with tight budgets.
• Variety: Shipping boxes come in different corrugated strengths, allowing for customization based on the weight and fragility of the items being shipped.

Packaging Enhancements

If you want to step up your packaging game, then you should check out extras like box dividers or custom inserts to protect your items while in transit. Both of these features can make a big difference in how your customer perceives your brand when they open your box. 

Custom Packaging

The best option for many business owners is custom packaging. Custom packaging doesn’t just allow you to customize the type of box and the size of the box, but it also allows you to customize the box’s design and features! This can be a great option for brands who are looking to cement their brand image within their respective industries while making a positive impression on their customers before they even see the products themselves! 

With custom packaging, you can choose the color, text, and images that appear on the box. That way, when your customer receives it, there will be no question about what it is and who it’s from. Help your brand stand out within a sea of ordinary brown cardboard boxes by investing in custom packaging. It is an investment that customers will take note of and help you earn more money as a result. 

Designing Custom Packaging

When you’re designing your packaging, there are some things that you need to keep in mind along the way so that you can get the most bang for your buck:

• Your brand. This involves using existing fonts, colors, patterns, and logos.
• Your target customer. What aspects of packaging will they care about or will appeal to them specifically? 
• Your sales channel. Where are customers seeing your packaging? Will it stand out against competitors? 
• The source of your custom packaging. Working with true experts, like those at Box Genie, really is priceless! We are here to help guide you toward personalized shipping solutions that will work for you and your business. 

As you can see, figuring out your package size doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little bit of planning, you’re able to quickly choose the right box, arrange your products, and get them sent out for the customer to enjoy.