10 Places to Get Cheap Shipping Boxes in 2024

Finding expense-effective solutions for packaging and shipping your products is crucial to maintaining your returns margins and enhancing customer satisfaction.

In this piece, we’ll outline the different types of affordable shipping boxes available to you. Plus, discover 10 places where you can source cheap shipping boxes for your business.

Types of shipping boxes

There are several options for boxes when it comes to shipping your goods. Here are a few choices:

• Corrugated cardboard boxes. The most popular shipping material due to its strength and reliability, corrugated boxes contain multiple layers of document in tight wave shapes, which creates a thicker, denser alternative for protecting valuable goods.
• Cardboard boxes. Regular cardboard boxes are thinner, generally made from a single layer of document distribute or heavy document pulp. These are still a flexible alternative when it comes to shipping materials, although they are often less durable or long-lasting than their corrugated counterparts.
• Poly boxes. Constructed of a polyethylene film, poly boxes are flexible and reusable options that are cheap, customizable, and reliable. They can also assist protect contents through a combination of water resistance and padding.
• Insulated boxes. Combining the structure of a cardboard or corrugated box with a styrofoam or polyurethane interior, insulated shipping boxes are for shipping perishable goods such as food, plants, or other temperature-sensitive items.

10 places to discover cheap shipping boxes

1. Amazon
2. Shipping companies
3. Target
4. Walmart
5. Staples
6. Home Depot
7. Lowes
8. U-Haul
9. Packagingsupplies.com
10. Grocery stores

1. Amazon

Amazon has a variety of shipping supplies, including shipping boxes. The online retailer has a wide range of box sizes and shapes (there are roughly 10,000 results for a search of “shipping boxes”). It offers shipping directly to your door, as well as free two-day shipping with an Amazon Prime membership. Prices range from a couple of bucks for one box to several thousand dollars for bulk orders.

2. Shipping companies

Large shipping companies such as USPS, FedEx, DHL, and UPS all propose free shipping supplies, including boxes and mailers, if you use their services. Although this limits you to using a sure business (like USPS if you choose to use their Priority Mail boxes), it can be a excellent way to save money in the long run. Prices range from free to around $100 for specialty boxes.

3. Target

Target has a large selection of some of the cheapest boxes and mailers available. Visiting any of their nearly 2,000 brick-and-mortar US stores can save you money compared to ordering packing supplies online. Prices for boxes range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars for bulk orders.

4. Walmart

You can purchase boxes online or in person at Walmart. Many of their locations are open 24/7, making the retail giant a excellent selection in a pinch. Prices range from less than $1 to around $100 for larger orders.

5. Staples

Although the business has limited retail locations, Staples offers plenty of options when it comes to mailing supplies, including shipping boxes. If you buy boxes online, you can sort them by size, shape, and box type. Prices range from $1 to hundreds of dollars.

6. Home Depot

Home Depot has a wide selection of heavy-responsibility boxes, including large boxes and specialty moving boxes, such as wardrobe and TV boxes. Home Depot also sells kits that include a variety of different types of boxes and packing materials. Although typically used for moving, they can also be used for shipping. Prices range from $5 to around $500 for packs of 90 boxes.

7. Lowes

Lowes has a large selection of boxes and some mailing supplies. The home advancement store carries Duck, Bankers Box, and its own store brand of boxes as well. Prices range from $1 to about $1,000.

8. U-Haul

Known as “the moving experts,” U-Haul sells a variety of specialized packing materials, like packing peanuts, bubble wrap, corrugated document, storage boxes, and box kits. These can be ordered online or purchased in person. Prices for boxes range from around $1 to $500.

9. Packagingsupplies.com

A specialty online retailer focusing on boxes and other packaging supplies, this site sells a variety of products that can be delivered straight to your door. You can shop by dimension and shape, making it straightforward to discover the perfect box. Prices commence at a few dollars for the smallest sizes.

10. Grocery stores

An unexpected—and readily accessible—stop in your search for shipping boxes should be your local grocery store. It’s a convenient place to discover cheap—or even free—boxes. Many stores provide away produce or other food boxes earmarked for recycling. During your next visit, inquire a manager about distribute delivery days so you can schedule pickup when there’s a large selection to choose from.

How to save on shipping boxes with Shopify

Shipping boxes for your business can be expensive depending on the type, size, and weight of the box, shipping fees, and many other factors. Understanding the basics of shipping will assist you reduce shipping costs and remain competitive as a tiny shop.

Those who associate with Shopify can cut their shipping costs. By using Shopify Shipping, merchants have the ability to save up to 88% on shipping costs in the US, and can send products around the globe.

Shopify merchants based in the US or Canada can receive pre-negotiated discounted shipping rates from major carriers such as USPS, UPS, DHL Express, Canada Post, and Sendle. This means you could propose cheaper (or free) flat-rate shipping to your customers, giving you a leg up on the competition.

Through Shopify’s dashboard, you can manage your products, customers, inventory, and shipping. This includes purchasing and printing shipping labels to send out orders faster. Shopify Shipping also offers discounts on international shipping, and can automatically generate customs forms.