Shipping and Postal Boxes
Boxes built for the journey: shipping cartons for parcels and trade, mailers that open neatly, slim postal boxes that keep delivery costs down, and double wall boxes for moving house.
From £0.20 a box, exact price on your quote
Styles in This Range
Pick the box by how the parcel travels and how it is opened at the other end.
What Separates a Shipping Box From a Postal Box?
A shipping box is usually a taped slotted carton, built to protect and stack. A postal box is usually slimmer, closes without tape and is sized to keep parcels small. A mailer sits between the two: strong enough to travel alone, neat enough to impress on opening.
Matching the Box to the Parcel
When in doubt, send the product size and tell us how it travels. We suggest the style on the quote.
| Parcel | Box | Board |
|---|---|---|
| Books, prints, slim items | Postal box or book wrap | E flute |
| Online orders with presentation | Mailer box | E or B flute |
| Everyday parcels and trade cartons | Shipping box | B or C flute |
| Household moves and storage | Moving box | BC double wall |
Why Does Parcel Size Matter So Much?
UK parcel prices are set by size bands as well as weight. An extra few millimetres of depth can tip a parcel into the next price bracket, and spare space inside is space you pay to send. A made-to-size box often pays for itself in postage within a few weeks.
- Measure the thickest point carefully
- Keep clearance to a few millimetres
- Use thinner board where protection allows
- Compare the outside size with the parcel size bands you pay for
Do Shipping Boxes Need Printing?
Not always. Trade and warehouse cartons are usually plain. Mailers and postal boxes that land on a customer's doorstep benefit most from a logo, often with a message printed inside the lid. A single colour on kraft is a cost-effective middle ground.
Packing Parcels That Arrive Intact
The guide to packing for UK couriers explains each step.
- Choose a box that fits closely.
- Wrap fragile items and fill gaps.
- Tape seams with an H pattern on slotted cartons.
- Put the label flat on the largest face.
- Add handling marks only where they help.
How Are These Boxes Delivered?
Flat, banded in bundles and tracked, free of charge to UK mainland addresses. Production takes 4 to 6 working days after you approve the price and any proof, and delivery follows in 2 to 3 working days.
Design Your Box
Pick one of our shipping and postal boxes, upload your logo and place it on the photo. A free proof follows with your price.
Shipping and Postal Boxes FAQs
Delivery and Returns
Can postal boxes go through a letterbox?
Slim postal boxes are designed for letterbox parcels. Check the outside size against your carrier's limits.
Which box is best for posting clothes?
A slim postal box or a mailer sized to the folded garment keeps clothing flat and the parcel small.
Do shipping and postal boxes come flat?
Yes. Every box in the range is delivered flat in banded bundles.
Do these boxes need void fill?
Less when they are made to size. Fill any gaps so the contents cannot shift.
Can I get several parcel sizes on one quote?
Yes. Most online shops order two to four sizes together.
Is delivery free on shipping and postal boxes?
Yes. Delivery is free and tracked to UK mainland addresses.
More Questions
Are moving boxes part of the shipping range?
Yes. Moving boxes are double wall cartons in removal sizes, built for packing heavy and stacking.
Can I brand postal boxes cheaply?
Yes. One colour on kraft, or a printed inside lid, brands a box at modest cost.
What board do mailers use?
Usually E flute for crisp print, or B flute for heavier or larger mailers.
Should I use a mailer or a shipping box?
Use a mailer when the box is seen by your customer on opening; use a shipping box for trade, stacking or heavier loads.
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Still need help? Call +44 7578 382054, message us on WhatsApp or email info@buycardboardboxes.co.uk. Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5.30 pm UK time.
Request a Full Quote
Tell us as much as you know. If you are unsure about board or print, leave it on “Not sure yet” and we will suggest the right option with your price.