Shipping box – how to choose & buy correctly

The size of a shipping box should be adjusted as closely as possible to the dimensions of the item to be shipped. It is important that the box is large enough to hold the contents securely, but not too large to take up unnecessary space or incur additional shipping costs.

Shipping boxes can usually be found in the local shops of the usual shipping service providers such as Deutsche Post, Hermes or UPS. You can find a cheaper and larger selection online - for example in our online shop.

Shipping boxes are usually made of corrugated cardboard because this material is light, robust and inexpensive to produce. With the current high volume of shipments, it is important to pay attention to sustainable materials. Corrugated cardboard is also convincing in this respect, as it is made from recycled material and can be recycled again after use.

However, there are also plastic shipping boxes for special requirements. These are used, for example , as food packaging .

Properly filling a shipping box is crucial to keeping your items safe during transit. Here are important steps to properly fill a shipping box:

1. Preparation: Make sure the bottom of the box is stable and flat. If necessary, use cushioning material such as bubble wrap or packaging chips to protect the floor and smooth out unevenness.

2. Heavy items below: Place heavy items on the bottom of the box first. These should be placed as close to the centre of the box as possible to prevent tipping over or falling over during transport.

3. Filling gaps: Fill empty spaces around the heavy items with cushioning material to ensure that the items cannot slip or move. This can help minimize damage during transport.

4. Lightweight items above: Place lighter items or delicate items on top of the heavy items. Make sure that these are securely positioned and cannot be damaged by the movement during transport.

5. Graduation: Once the box is filled, seal it securely with tape or the existing closure mechanism. Don't forget to label the box properly, especially if it contains fragile contents.

As a business customer, you will receive lucrative discounts from shipping service providers such as Deutsche Post. To do this, you must be a trader and meet a minimum quota of consignments per month. 

As a private customer, you have the option of BüWa. A consignment of books and goods must not be higher than 5 cm. So you need a very flat shipping box.