Shipping Boxes or Moving Boxes – How to Differentiate Large Cardboard Boxes

This might come as a surprise to some yet there is a healthy difference between shipping and moving boxes. While seemingly they both serve the same purpose, the dissimilarities between the two would become evident if you decide to ship a moving box via mail or courier. This might lead to damaged or lost content, insurance claims, trips to the local UPS shop, phone call etc. If this sounds like a hassle to you, I suggest you keep reading.

Rather often, what is used for moving boxes would be an old used cardboard box with quite some mileage behind it already. Moving boxes tend to be manually packed and gently handled even by more “determined” moving companies. In addition, they do not travel very far, much less change transport en route. Normally, they would be nicely packed in someone’s trunk and or truck body and unloaded at a destination which is often close to the source of the travel. While there are exceptions, this is frequently the case. For the most part, the business requirements for a moving box a fairly low.

By contrast to the above, shipping boxes serve a whole different purpose altogether. They are handled in a different manner and the demand for safety, strength and edge crush test are a lot higher. A former courier employee once shared that large or small shipping boxes should be able to survive a three-and-a-half-foot free fall without damaging their contents. He was speaking from hands-on experience. Everyone should take his word and take product packaging very seriously by following these simple guidelines:

-estimate shipping weight and bulk size in advance. Then buy the box accordingly.

-yes, buy a new box when shipping. Used boxes are not a good idea regardless of their appearance.

-use proper packaging materials for the weight, fragility, shelf life etc. of the items shipped

-wrap individual items separately

-seal the box properly by using packaging tape and not masking or duct etc. tape

-make the shipping label clear and remove all other labels

-keep a copy of the to and from address inside the box in case it gets damaged

-purchase shipping insurance as needed

Following the above guidelines is not an A-Z index of safe shipping practices. It will help shipments and reduce frustration on both source and destination side. The expanded list of best shipping instructions can be found at the large shipping boxes portal.

The author is involved in the shipping industry and follows trends in consumer bahavior as well as company-driven decisions for green initiatives and packaging solutions.

More can be seen at http://www.largecardboardboxes.net

First things first. Start your move with STRONG boxes. Knowing that your belongings are secure brings the peace of mind you need during this often chaotic time. After your boxes are packed, you’ll want to be sure each one is labeled clearly. This will make a world of difference when you’re unpacking and moving in. Learn all of this and more in our newest video. www.mission2organize.com blog.mission2organize.com http

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Duck Brand Corrugate Shipping Boxes, 12″ x 12″ x 10″, Brown, 6 Pack (1150674)

Duck Brand Corrugate Shipping Boxes, 12

  • Heavy duty brown kraft box
  • Certified 200 pound test strength
  • Each box is UPC coded
  • Great for moving, shipping, storing
  • 6 Pack of 12″ x 12″ x 10″ boxes

Duck Brand Corrugate Shipping Boxes let you pack and ship even your most valuable items safely. The heavy duty brown kraft boxes are exceptionally durable (200 pound strength) – perfect for both shipping and storage. Each box is individually UPC coded and is easy to assemble. The 12″x 12″x 10″ boxes are perfect for storing or shipping books, catalogs and other smaller sized items, and are available in a convenient 6 pack.

List Price: $ 10.99

Price: $ 10.75

Bankers Box SmoothMove Moving and Storage Boxes, Large, 6 Pack (0062901)

Bankers Box SmoothMove Moving and Storage Boxes, Large, 6 Pack (0062901)

  • Secure closure without using tape
  • Strong, durable hand holes for comfortable moving and lifting
  • FastFold® quick and easy assembly
  • No tape required – lid locks into place for secure closure
  • Easy to break down and store flat until ready for reuse

Secure closure without using tape. Strong, durable hand holes for comfortable moving and lifting. FastFold® quick and easy assembly. No tape required – lid locks into place for secure closure. Easy to break down and store flat until ready for reuse. All boxes constructed from strong 32 ECT C-Flute Kraft corrugated board.

List Price: $ 44.99

Price: $ 25.90

Pink Blk Cardboard Heart Gift Box w Fragrant Dried Rose

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Letter Printed Heart Shape Valentine Cardboard Gift Box

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Large Cardboard Shipping Boxes versus Moving Boxes

In a nutshell, shipping boxes and moving boxes differ along a few major areas ? design purpose, reuse, weight capability, structure and even packing tape used. Similarities include but are not limited to the fact that both types of boxes are made from corrugated fiberboard and can be bought at any packaging supplier including the plethora of online retailers.

Corrugated fiberboard is the building block of cardboard boxes. It is a sandwich of containerboard paper (a thicker heavy paper) and flutes. The flutes are the wavy corrugate in between the walls of a large cardboard box. They can be of various thickness and rating and give sturdiness and strength of the shipping/moving container. In addition, they increase the stacking ability of a certain type of box plus they are the most significant factor in parameters such as puncture resistance or edge crush test.

These are essential when choosing a box according to product specifications. In addition, the flutes provide some protection and weather proofing within a reason which could be crucial as related to food spoilage and preservation. To complete the box an inside and an outside liner are added to the fiberboard sandwich. The latter can have one or more sets of wavy flutes according to desired strength and conformity to product requirements.

The corrugated industry is no modern marvel and follows rules of economics such as supply and demand. Once a demand for a box has been identified, container of the proper size and characteristics would be made and put in production. Differences here between large shipping boxes and their moving counterparts become evident. Moving boxes are often designed to have handles and removable tops, maybe even some compartments inside depending on the order/customer. Clearly such a box could not be shipped easily since it is not manufactured for shipping. Instead, a large cardboard box with a design purpose to be handled by a courier would come with a complete set of flaps fully covering all opening and allowing for safe transportation. It is important to use new boxes for shipping, packing tape ? brown or clear or filament and to abide by weight requirements ? putting a 30-pound load in a box designed to handle 10lbs would almost certainly not be a good idea. Using the almighty duct tape or masking tape in cool colors is also against good shipping practices.

In conclusion, using almost any cardboard container for moving would be acceptable since even brutal movers tend to only handle the moving boxes short term. On the other hand, shipping boxes have to be new, designed to product specification and packed and mailed with the understanding that they will change hands many times and certain free falls and drops are to be expected before they reach their destination.