When packing and shipping items, you must use the correct size boxes to ensure your goods fit and do not get damaged. Smaller boxes are ideal for books, photo albums, canned goods, and clothing, while larger boxes are appropriate for home decor, furniture, large kitchen appliances, and other bulky merchandise. Additionally, it is essential that you purchase boxes from a reliable supplier to avoid shoddy materials and supply shortages later on. A few things to consider when choosing a box supplier are their quality control processes, how long they have been in business, and whether or not they offer logo printing.

Various sizes of large shipping boxes can be purchased online, from major retailers, and at packaging supply stores. Purchasing boxes from a large retailer will generally be the most cost-effective option as they will have a large selection and may offer discounts for bulk purchases. Online retailers often sell boxes by dimension and shape, making it easy to find the right one for your products. Prices vary, starting at a couple of dollars for the smallest sizes.

You can also purchase boxes at local grocery stores, both large chains and small-biz local grocers. Since these stores regularly receive shipments of produce and other perishables, they have plenty of sturdy boxes on hand. Be sure to ask a manager if you can take a few of their extras home with you. Neighborhood coffee shops are another great source of boxes. Most of these establishments are a bit more lenient with their boxes, and they tend to be partitioned, which can help protect fragile items.

If you’re in need of a few dozen or more large boxes, it might be best to seek out a specialized supplier. Companies like Protopak Engineering Corp in Illinois, for example, have a range of corrugated box sizes on hand including record file, food, bin, set-up, kraft stock, printer, insulated, and weather-resistant types. This woman-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business is a full-service packaging and logistics company that also offers packaging design and engineering, consultation, and pre-assembly services.

Other suppliers of large shipping boxes include Neway Packaging Corporation in California, which manufactures white corrugated cardboard bin boxes. This woman-owned, small disadvantaged business is located in Rancho Dominguez and serves the transportation, bakery, agriculture, shipping, food, and retail industries. The company also provides custom boxes, telecommunications, and computer equipment component industries with customized packaging, warehousing, and inventory management services.

Finally, if you’re looking to save some money on your shipping costs, check with your local UPS or FedEx store. Many shipping companies provide free boxes and mailers if you ship your goods through them, so it’s a good idea to see what kind of savings you can find with these options. Alternatively, you can also check with local recycling centers, which usually have a variety of containers available to customers. If you’re interested in saving more money, you can even buy your boxes from a local thrift store.