Shipping Box Sizes: How To Determine
Your Package Dimensions?

Reducing freight costs is wonderful news for e-commerce businesses. Right? Visit this wonderful blog post to learn about the importance of measuring the correct dimensions of custom shipping boxes, the step-by-step procedure for determining box sizes, and powerful strategies to help your brand save shipping costs.

Emily Parker
Emily Parker
Shipping Box Sizes How To Determine Your Package Dimensions

Cost-cutting is usually a smart idea while running an e-commerce business or as an entrepreneur. If you offer free delivery to clients, shipping products probably accounts for a significant portion of your income. Therefore, any chance to reduce shipping costs is welcome news. According to a logistics analysis, American businesses are paying more for transportation, and this trend is unlikely to reverse itself anytime soon. The amount spent overall on logistics reached a record $1.5 trillion.

You must know how to measure a box and package you ship out to receive the best shipping deals. To avoid being overcharged, firms must understand how to appropriately submit these data to shipping carriers, who aim to maximize their earnings. This article shows you how to weigh and volume-calculate each box you ship and how to measure boxes for shipping. We also go over several tactics you may use to reduce delivery costs.

Why Is It Crucial To Measure Box Sizes And Dimensions Precisely Before Shipping?

Why Is It Crucial To Measure Box Sizes And Dimensions Precisely Before Shipping

It's critical to measure your shipping box dimensions precisely so that you can obtain the best shipping rates and minimize your shipping expenses. These are some common justifications for taking precise measurements for your custom shipping boxes.

  1. It safeguards your merchandise. When you use incorrectly custom size shipping boxes, you put your products in danger of breakage during transit or loss, making them less safe for delivery.
  2. You get financial savings from it. Selecting the appropriate box dimensions guarantees the most economical delivery prices. Instead of charging for weight, shipping is frequently calculated based on the amount of space the shipment takes up during transit. You're not being as frugal as you could be if a tiny item is packed in an enormous box.
  3. It's an indication of superior customer care. The right shipping box sizes present a more polished image to your customers and enhance the perception of your brand more than an incorrectly sized one.

Essential Knowledge At Your Fingertips

When measuring a box, the most important thing to remember is that the measurements are taken from the inside, not the outside. The ability to fit the product within the customized shipping boxes, including the padding materials, comes first when fitting a product into a package. External measures of custom boxes for shipping are only important when packing an item into a Dropbox or loading boxes into a truck. 

Precision In Your Hands: The Measuring Tools

Precision In Your Hands

If you have the correct tools and basic techniques on hand, measuring any size box is easy. You can begin packing if you already know the size of your box; if not, you'll need certain equipment. The following tools will make measuring your personalized shipping boxes a breeze:

  1. Ruler. The most basic measuring instrument is a ruler, and it can be the only one you require. Just measure the inner height, length, and breadth of your shipping box. You will get erroneous measures if you count beyond the flap creases rather than just up to them. Record the dimensions on paper.
  2. Measuring tape. If you already own a ruler, using a custom shipping tape measure is not necessary, but it is useful for large shipping boxes. Just write down the size of your boxes using this, just like you would with a ruler.
  3. Pen or pencil. It is vital to examine how much room is left over when examining how a product fits in heavy duty shipping boxes. Put your product inside the box first. Second, mark a thin line inside the box at the product's height and width using your ruler or tape measure. This makes it easier for you to picture how much space you'll have for packing peanuts and airbags for padding.
  4. Notepad. Paper is required to record standard shipping box sizes and make notes.
  5. Painter's tape, or a thin adhesive tape substitute. It's not necessary to use a tape measure while taking measurements, but it can be useful to know if a product will fit. Painter's tape is a low-risk method of boxing up a product when testing-packing it for the first time to determine if the box for shipping will fit.

Standard Shipping Boxes: Examples And Dimensions

Standard Shipping Boxes

The following is a list of the most common shipping boxes sizes and products that can be transported in each:

  1. 17" x 12 3/8" x 12 3/8": Media, books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and tiny gadgets.
  2. 18" x 16" x 18": Lights, linens, and kitchenware.
  3. 18" x 18" x 24": Cookware, cushions, pool and outdoor accessories.
  4. 24" x 20" x 24": Sporting goods, bigger appliances, drapes, and rods that have collapsed.

Boxing Diversity: Exploring Various Shipping Box Shapes

Boxing Diversity

There are many different forms and sizes of bulk shipping boxes. The following are the typical shipping box shapes:

  1. Cube shipping boxes: These boxes make the perfect wrapping when sending little goods. They work wonders for marketing goods like electronics and jewelry that are already packaged.
  2. Tall shipping boxes: Because they are smaller in length and width, this conventional shipping box size is perfect for tall objects that cannot be bent or folded.
  3. Long shipping boxes: They are longer rather than wide and tall. It's easy to stack these boxes on top of one another for storage and delivery.
  4. Telescopic shipping boxes: Delivering long products that don't neatly fit within a single box is best done with telescopic boxes. It is quick and easy to assemble these boxes for shipping odd-shaped products.
  5. Side-loading shipping boxes: These are slim, broad boxes having a small opening on one side for easy item removal. These boxes are ideal for storing items like posters and picture frames.

Additionally, packaging suppliers allow you to acquire various custom-sized shipping boxes based on your specifications and needs.

How Do I Determine Shipping Box Size?

How Do I Determine Shipping Box Size

You must measure the exterior dimensions of huge shipping boxes before sending them. But, you'll want to know the inside measurements if you're buying boxes for your company. This ensures that your products are damage-free and fit snugly inside. Determining the interior dimensions ensures that there is minimal space for movement, keeping your products secure throughout transportation and storage.

You must measure the length, breadth, and height of your box (L x W x H) to determine its outer measurements. According to industry standards, measures should be listed in this order.

Deciphering Shipping Box Dimensions: A Practical Approach

  1. Length is the first dimension to be measured. This side of the box with the flap will be the longest.
  2. The breadth comes next. Although it will be shorter than the length, the breadth side likewise features a flap. To measure the breadth, turn the box 90 degrees.
  3. The package's height comes last. The only dimension that lacks a flap is height. Shut the box's lids and gauge its height from top to bottom.

Crunching The Numbers: Calculating Box Volume

Crunching The Numbers

You can more quickly estimate everything from shipping to warehousing and distribution procedures by calculating the volume of your products. When it comes to optimizing materials and costs, volume calculation is essential. You must multiply the length, breadth, and height of your package to determine its volume for shipping.

Volume is equal to L x W x H. For instance, L = 18 in, W = 14 in, and H = 10 in

Measuring Shipping Box Girth: A Simple Method

Measuring Shipping Box Girth

You might need to figure out the girth of shipments with unusual shapes, like cylindrical boxes used to carry prints or posters. The girth of the box is required by certain carriers to determine the shipment cost. By measuring the distance around the package's widest point with a flexible measuring tape, you may determine the girth of a box. The girth is measured at this length. You must multiply the width by the height and divide the results by two to determine the girth.

Girth is equal to 2(W + H).

Using the previously mentioned example, we would double the breadth (14 inches) by two. That would leave us with 48. Next, we double the height (10 inches) by two. That would leave us with 20. After that, we total the outcomes to find the girth. 68 inches is 48 inches plus 20 inches.

Strategies For Cost-Effective Shipping

It's crucial to monitor shifting shipping prices because the cost of shipping is rising globally. To retain the greatest shipping rates, tiny enterprises should bear in mind a few strategies.

  1. Verify that the cheap shipping boxes you are using fit the merchandise. Because of the extra area the package takes up, you will pay more if you use a large box for a tiny or lightweight product. A larger shipping package results in a larger dimensional weight, which raises the cost of delivery.
  2. Reusing existing large boxes for shipping or utilizing "ships in own container" (SIOC) packaging—which simply adds a shipping label to your product's packaging—will lower your shipping costs because you won't need to pack it in a separate box. Poly mailers are significantly lighter than small shipping boxes and can be used for smaller things.
  3. Verify whether your e-commerce platform offers any delivery discounts. Shopify Shipping, for instance, offers discounts on USPS, UPS, and DHL that enable retailers to save up to 88%.

Over To You!

We can assist you if you require special shipment boxes. The Custom Boxes is a remarkable packaging supplier. It creates affordable and sustainable custom shipping boxes. Our team is here to assist you with all personalized packaging requirements. We provide you with bespoke shipping boxes that are beautifully designed, crafted, and environmentally friendly. If you are wondering where to buy shipping boxes at cost-effective rates? The Custom Boxes is your one-stop shop. We help you with the custom design creation process. Visit our webpage or contact us via live chat. Our professionals will be pleased to assist you in designing the ideal packaging for your outstanding enterprise.

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