12 Best Places to Find Cheap Shipping Boxes in 2025

Finding cost-effective packaging and shipping options is key in 2025. The cost of corrugated cardboard has risen steadily over the past couple of years, which means those “little” expenses like boxes, tape, and fillers can quickly eat into your margins if you’re not paying attention. Plus, customers have higher expectations: At the very least, they want fast shipping and a clean unboxing experience.

The good news is, there are plenty of ways you can keep costs low while still meeting these high expectations. Carriers like USPS and UPS offer free shipping boxes, or you can take advantage of bulk discounts from national suppliers. 

In this article, we’ll break down the different types of affordable shipping boxes, share the latest prices, and compare 12 of the best places to source cheap shipping boxes for your business.

How to calculate your shipping box costs

The “per box” price you see on a supplier’s website usually is only part of the story. 

Your final cost will depend on a handful of variables, including:

• Quantity. Ordering 20 boxes at a time will cost you more per unit than ordering 200 or 2,000. Most suppliers offer volume discounts, so the larger your order, the lower the individual box price.
• Dimensions. A box that’s even a couple of inches bigger than it needs to be can push your shipping into a higher rate bracket. Carriers often charge based on dimensional weight (size as well as actual weight), so making sure the boxes are the right size makes a big difference.
• Weight. Heavier boxes not only cost more to ship, but they often need sturdier packaging, which is usually more expensive.
• Destination.Shipping costs vary depending on where your package is going, with long-distance or international deliveries costing more than local delivery.
• Order frequency. A one-off order might seem cheaper upfront, but if you’re regularly running low and re-ordering in small batches, those costs add up. It’s often more cost-effective to forecast your packaging needs and buy in bulk a few times a year.

On top of these basics, remember to account for:

• Volume discounts. Many suppliers drop prices significantly once you hit a certain threshold (say, 500 or 1,000 boxes). 
• Shipping fees from the supplier. Don’t forget you’ll often pay to have the boxes shipped to you. If you’re ordering bulky cartons, freight costs can sometimes rival the cost of the boxes themselves.

Calculate your shipping box expense

Use this simple formula to calculate your true shipping box expense:

(Cost per box × number of boxes) + supplier shipping fees / total number of boxes

This formula will give you a realistic per-box figure you can use to compare suppliers. From there, consider whether buying bigger batches or adjusting your box sizes could save you money over time.

Let’s say you’re choosing between two order sizes from the same supplier:

• 200 boxes at $1.20 each
• 1,000 boxes at a discounted 80¢ each

Both orders come with a flat $50 shipping fee from the supplier.

Scenario 1: 200 boxes

• Box cost = 200 × $1.20 = $240
• Add shipping = $240 + $50 = $290 total
• Per box cost = $290 ÷ 200 = $1.45 per box

Scenario 2: 1,000 boxes

• Box cost = 1,000 × 80¢ = $800
• Add shipping = $800 + $50 = $850 total
• Per box cost = $850 ÷ 1,000 = 85¢ per box

In this example, ordering 1,000 boxes saves you 60¢ per box, which is a 41% reduction in cost. 

12 places to find cheap shipping boxes

• Amazon
• Shipping companies
• Uline
• Walmart
• Staples
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• U-Haul
• Packagingsupplies.com
• Grocery stores
• Target
• The Boxery

1. Amazon

Amazon has a variety of shipping supplies, including shipping boxes. The online retailer has a wide range of box sizes and shapes (there are more than 90,000 results for a search of “shipping boxes”). 

On Amazon, shipping box prices range from a couple of dollars for one box to several thousand dollars for bulk orders to ship directly to your door. Plus, with an Amazon Prime membership, you can benefit from free two-day shipping so your boxes are at hand more quickly. 

2. Shipping companies

Often, the cheapest way to ship boxes is to go straight to the source. Major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS all offer free shipping boxes and supplies if you use their services.

Free USPS Priority Mail boxes

One of the easiest ways to cut down on packaging costs is to use the free shipping boxes from USPS. If you’re shipping with Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express, you can order a whole range of boxes, padded envelopes, and mailing tubes for free. These are specifically designed to meet USPS size and weight restrictions, so your package won’t be rejected or priced incorrectly. 

You can pick them up at your local post office or order online through the USPS website and get them delivered straight to your door (also for free). The catch is you have to use them exclusively for USPS Priority Mail services, so if you find a better price elsewhere, you might be in a bind with your shipping box solutions. 

FedEx and UPS free supplies

FedEx and UPS also provide free shipping boxes and other supplies for customers who ship with them. There’s a selection of standard shipping boxes, padded mailers, labels, and specialized packaging for items like electronics or bottles. Like USPS, these are only free if you’re sending shipments through their services. 

You can order packaging through your FedEx or UPS account and get it shipped to you at no cost, or you can pick them up in person at a drop-off location. If you need something more customized, like a heavy-duty box or unique size, you’ll still pay extra (sometimes up to $100 for specialty items). But for everyday shipping, their free options are more than enough to cover the basics.

3. Uline

Uline has a huge selection of shipping and packaging supplies, featuring more than 1,700 box sizes in various styles, colors, and materials. Its inventory includes corrugated boxes, mailers, heavy-duty boxes, and specialized options like insulated shippers and wood crates.

Beyond boxes, Uline’s catalog also includes materials like packing tape, bubble wrap, poly bags, and cushioning products. With same-day shipping available from 13 locations across North America, Uline is a reliable source for finding cheap packaging solutions.

Bulk pricing tiers

If you’re buying a lot of packaging, it pays to look closely at bulk pricing tiers. Many suppliers (like Uline) set their prices so the boxes get cheaper as you buy more. For example, you might pay $1.25 per box if you order only 100, but the price could drop to 90¢ each once you hit 1,000 units.

This is especially useful if you know you’ll go through a steady volume of bulk cardboard boxes cheaply over time. Even a small difference in per-box cost adds up fast when you’re shipping hundreds (or thousands) of orders a month. Before placing an order, compare the pricing tiers carefully and think about your storage space. Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to buy big once and save in the long run, rather than placing smaller, more frequent orders.

4. Walmart

You can purchase boxes online or in person at Walmart. Many of their locations are open 24/7, making the retail giant a good choice in a pinch. Prices range from less than $1 to around $100 for larger orders.

5. Staples

Although the company has limited retail locations, Staples offers plenty of options when it comes to mailing supplies, including shipping boxes. If you buy boxes online, you can sort your search by size, shape, and box type. Prices range from around $2 per corrugated shipping box when bought in a pack of 25 to $15 to $25 per box for specialty boxes. 

6. Home Depot

Home Depot has a wide selection of heavy-duty boxes, including large boxes and specialty moving boxes, such as wardrobe and TV boxes. Home Depot also sells kits that include a variety of different types of boxes and packing materials. Although typically used for moving, they can also be used for shipping. Prices range from $5 to around $500 for packs of 90 boxes.

7. Lowes

Lowes has a large selection of boxes and some mailing supplies. The home improvement store carries brands like Duck, Bankers Box, and its own store brand of boxes as well. Prices range from $1 to about $1,000.

8. U-Haul

Known as “the moving experts,” U-Haul sells a variety of specialized packing materials, like packing peanuts, bubble wrap, corrugated paper, storage boxes, and box kits. These can be ordered online or purchased in person. You can get small boxes for around $1.50 each, while larger, specialty boxes can cost upward of $16 each. There are value packs and kits available, ranging from $25 to $500. 

9. Packagingsupplies.com

A specialty online retailer focusing on boxes and other packaging supplies, this site sells a variety of products that can be delivered straight to your door. You can shop by dimension and shape, making it easy to find the perfect boxes to ship your products. Prices start at a few dollars for the smallest sizes. If you buy more than 500 units, you can get the cost per box down to 50¢ and below. 

10. Grocery stores

An unexpected—and readily accessible—stop in your search for shipping boxes should be your local grocery store. It’s a convenient place to find cheap—or even free—boxes. Many stores give away boxes earmarked for recycling once they’ve been unpacked. During your next visit, ask a manager about stock delivery days so you can schedule pickup when there’s a bigger selection of boxes to choose from.

11. Target

Target has a large catalog of some of the cheapest boxes and mailers available. Visiting any of its nearly 2,000 brick-and-mortar US stores can save you money compared to ordering packing supplies online. Prices for boxes range from $1 to $2 for a moving box to several hundred dollars for bulk orders. Specialty packs (like wardrobe boxes or dish packs) can cost $20 to $40 per set. 

12. The Boxery

The Boxery provides over 1,000 sizes of corrugated boxes for shipping. You can find standard strength boxes, heavy-duty options, and specialized configurations like cube and multidepth boxes. Bulk ordering and custom boxes are available. A 25-pack of shipping boxes costs around $24, but prices drop with larger orders. If you order more than 500, you can get the price per box down to less than 70¢. 

Price comparison: which supplier offers the best value?

There are so many packaging suppliers out there that it can be tricky to figure out where you’ll actually save the most. To make it easier, here’s a quick side-by-side look at some of the most popular options for sourcing shipping boxes.

• Best for side hustlers or under 50 shipments/month. USPS free boxes or Target/Walmart for convenience.
• Best for small but growing businesses (50–500 shipments/month). Amazon multi-packs or PackagingSupplies.com for affordability without storage headaches.
• Best for scaling businesses (500+ shipments/month). Uline or The Boxery, where bulk pricing tiers save the most.

Types of shipping boxes

There are several options for packaging boxes when it comes to shipping your goods. Here are a few choices:

• Corrugated cardboard boxes. The most popular shipping material due to its strength and reliability, corrugated boxes contain multiple layers of paper in tight wave shapes, which creates a thicker, denser option for protecting valuable goods.
• Cardboard boxes. Regular cardboard boxes are thinner, generally made from a single layer of paper stock or heavy paper pulp. These are still a flexible option when it comes to shipping materials, although they are often less durable or long-lasting than their corrugated counterparts.
• Poly boxes. Constructed of a polyethylene film, poly boxes are flexible and reusable options that are cheap, customizable, and reliable. They can also help protect contents through a combination of water resistance and padding.
• Insulated boxes. Combining the structure of a cardboard or corrugated box with a styrofoam or polyurethane interior, insulated shipping boxes are for shipping perishable goods such as food, plants, or other temperature-sensitive items.

Packing best practices

Finding the right shipping box is only half the battle, because the way you pack your products can make a big difference in both cost and customer experience. Badly packaged goods can easily get damaged, while oversized packing can ramp up weight charges, both of which can impact the entire fulfillment process and cause shipping problems. 

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when packing your products. 

• Choose the right box size. A box that’s too big will come with higher dimensional weight charges, while a box that’s too small might split under pressure. Match your box sizes closely to the size of the product, leaving just enough room for padding. 
• Use eco-friendly fillers. Protect your products with sustainable packaging materials, like recycled kraft paper, corrugated packaging inserts, or biodegradable packing peanuts. These are often lighter than traditional fillers, which keeps weight down and is better for the environment. 
• Seal packages securely. Always use strong packing tape and use the “H-taping method,” where you seal the box along the top and bottom seams, plus the edges, to stop it from splitting. It’s a good idea to double-tape heavy boxes. 
• Distribute weight evenly. Place heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter ones on top to stop fragile goods getting crushed. 
• Test your packaging. If you can, do a quick shake or drop test before sending a package off for delivery. If the product moves around too much inside, consider adding extra padding or try a smaller box size. 
• Save time. Order boxes on subscription or auto-ship to avoid last-minute runs to Walmart/Staples, use supplier websites that let you filter by dimensions quickly, and stick to two to three standard box sizes to keep storage and packing simple.

How to save on shipping boxes with Shopify

Shipping boxes for your small business can be expensive depending on the type, size, and weight of the box, shipping fees, and many other factors. Understanding the basics of shipping will help you reduce shipping costs and remain competitive as a small shop.

Those who partner with Shopify can cut their shipping costs even more. By using Shopify Shipping, merchants have the ability to save up to 88% on shipping costs in the US, and they can send products around the world.

Shopify merchants based in the US or Canada can receive pre-negotiated discounted shipping rates from major carriers such as USPS, UPS, DHL Express, Canada Post, and Sendle. This means you could offer cheaper (or free) flat-rate shipping to your customers, giving you a leg up on the competition.

Through Shopify’s dashboard, you can manage your products, customers, inventory, and shipping. This includes purchasing and printing shipping labels to send out orders faster. Shopify Shipping also offers discounts on international shipping, and can automatically generate customs forms. If you’re shipping internationally, check out our guide to navigating tariffs and international shipping to stay informed on the latest trade policies that might affect your business.