The Best Shipping Boxes

When you need to get something from Point A to Point B, you need some sort of container.  Inevitably, boxes become the most precious commodity, especially a box that will not only be large enough for your items but be sturdy enough to handle the process of being shipped. The best shipping boxes are the ones that exactly meet your needs. You don’t have to “make do” with something that is too flimsy to stand up to being carried out the door, never mind traveling any sort of distant.

What Are You Shipping?

One of the first things you need to evaluate when you are planning to ship something is the size and weight of your item or items. These factors can make a big difference in your choice of shipping box. You want to be sure that you select a box that will not only hold your cargo easily, but will also endure the handling that occurs in moving from one place to another.  If your object is very heavy, it’s not very likely that a light-weight cardboard box will do the job for you.

Will You Need Packing Materials?

Sometimes you will be sending things that need to have a degree of cushioning around them, to prevent them for shifting during the shipping process. There are plenty of options these days.

• Bubble wrap
• Air pillows
• Styrofoam peanuts
• Molded Styrofoam cradles
• Shredded paper
• Straw

Any of these possibilities can be used to keep items from bouncing about inside the shipping box.

Types of Boxes and Containers

The best shipping boxes are the ones that exactly meet the specific need. What suits one piece that will be sent long distance might not be as useful in shipping a different item a short distance. You need to consider any number of factors in choosing the box for the job. Is it possible the box will sit outside in weather for any length of time? Will it go through many hands? Do you need a lot of stability in keeping the contents safe? There’s a box that can meet your need.

Corrugated Cardboard or Fiberboard

Everyone is familiar with corrugated cardboard, which is also called fiberboard. The strength of this material lies in the multiple layers that make up its construction. The corrugations, those regular waves between the external layers, give increased strength to the sheet, while at the same time lighten the weight. A solid sheet of board the same thickness would weigh considerably more. Corrugated boxes come in a multitude of sizes and purposes.

• Office file boxes (frequently used for packing books and other smaller items, because they are easy to handle.
• Wardrobe boxes (for shipping garments, especially those that ought to stay on hangers of some sort)
• Glassware boxes (which have interior dividers that keep the glassware pieces from bouncing off each other
• Dish drums (wherein dishes can be stacked in an easily portable drum-type box with separator sheets between the individual items)
• Mirror boxes (a 2 piece sleeve container that can be adjusted for the size of the mirror)
• Mattress boxes (these can protect your mattress or box spring while they are being transported)

Specialty Cardboard Boxes

Sometimes you have items that need extra attention. There are boxes made to address those needs as well. Produce boxes are specially prepared on the interior, in order to protect produce that is being shipped. The interior will be coated with a wax in most cases, to keep necessary moisture inside the box, without weakening the fiberboard exterior. Another type of specialty box is an insulated shipper box. This box will have a layer of Styrofoam or other cushioning material on all the interior sides, in order to protect your item. Other innovations for shipping boxes are the Korrvu ® Suspension boxes and Korvu ® Retention boxes. These specially designed shipping boxes have an engineered process that allows you to place your fragile item on an elevated film of sturdy plastic, so that no part of the box actually touches your item. The special frame of the Suspension box holds you object in place, while saving you weight concerns. The Retention box works on a similar principle, securing objects in place with an interior frame that supports the structure of the shipping box. If you are not sure which shipping box best suits you, you can contact the courier service you intent to use and ask for guidance. In most cases, the shipping company will be able to help you choose the right box.