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MOVING boxes, the corrugated cardboard boxes used to pack your belongings for relocating home or office, come in different sizes for the different things to be packed. Of course, quality of the boxes is of utmost importance and is usually measured in terms of the edge crush test (ECT) which should have a value of 32 for most boxes and 44 for the heavy-duty ones.
In this report, however, we shall look only at the size aspect and the best prices at new boxes they are available in the United States as at mid-2007. It should be noted that there are no mandatory standards for sizes of moving boxes. However, individual organizations such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS have their own size specifications, which this report points out where relevant.
The prices given in this report are only of new boxes that are certified ‘Move-Tough’, i.e. boxes that will not crush under normal shipping conditions. Standard-sized moving boxes: These boxes are a must in moving, regardless of the size of the total move. A bigger total volume of the items being moved would require larger numbers of these boxes and vice versa. Standard-sized moving boxes are:
- Small boxes: These boxes are meant to pack small but heavy items such as books, tools, etc. or small but delicate items such as CDs, DVDs, etc. Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 12" (UPS, FedEx).
Good price: $1.55 per box.
- Medium boxes: These are used for almost all kitchenware, small appliances, books, and toys.
Dimensions: 18" x 18" x 16" (UPS, FedEx) or 18”x14”x12”.
Good price: $40 for a bundle of 20 boxes or $2.35 per box.
- Large boxes: These are used for lightweight, bulky items such as electronic equipment, speakers, lampshades, clothing, stuffed animals, etc.
Dimensions: 18" x 18" x 24" (UPS, FedEx) or 20”x20”x15”. Good price: $44.20 for a bundle of 15 boxes or $2.90 per box.
- Extra-large boxes: These are used for lightweight, bulky items such as linen, comforters, pillows, towels, etc.
Dimensions: 24" x 18" x 24" (UPS, FedEx) or 23”x23”x16”. Good price: $40.00 for a bundle of 10 boxes or $4.50 per box.
Special-purpose moving boxes: These boxes are designed for specific purposes. Avoid using them for purposes other than what they are designed for; otherwise they will be uneconomical. Special-purpose moving boxes include the following:
- Wardrobe moving boxes:These are extra-strong boxes (44 ECT) and are used for packing up your closet or dresser. They should come with metal rods for hanging your pressed clothes.
Dimensions: 24" x 24" x 40".
Good price: $38 for a set of three boxes or $14 per box (boxes without metal rods or less than 44 ECT strength should cost 25%-40% less).
- Frame / artwork moving boxes: These are used for packing large picture frames, mirrors, and any large but thin item.
Dimensions: 41”x6”x26.5”
Good price: $34 for a set of five boxes or $7.50 per box.
- File moving boxes:These are used for packing home-offices that would include files, and legal and letter size documents. They come with lids and therefore require no tape.
Dimensions: 16”x12.5”x10”
Good price: $36 for a set of 12 boxes or $3.50 per box.
- Kitchen moving boxes: Though medium-sized boxes described in the standard-sized boxes section earlier in this report, can suffice for moving kitchens, dedicated kitchen moving boxes have a higher ECT value of 44 (instead of 32) and are slightly larger.
Dimensions: 18”x18”x23”
Good price: $37 for a set of six boxes or $6.90 per box.
- Cell kits:These are boxes that are divided into compartments to isolate and protect fragile items such as glassware, crystal, and porcelain items and may be used in conjunction with kitchen boxes. A good price range starts from $5.5 to $10 per box. The larger boxes have a dimension of 24-1/8"x12"x11" (UPS).
- TV / microwave moving boxes: Though large-sized boxes described in the standard-sized boxes section earlier in this report, can carry moving electronic items, dedicated electronics moving boxes are made to fit the sizes of the most widely-used electronic equipment such as TVs, microwaves, and stereo decks
- For 19” TV / microwave:
Dimensions: 24”x24”x20”.
Good price: $7 per box.
- For 27” TV / microwave:
Dimensions: 24.5”x24.5”x27.5” (UPS).
Good price: $9.10 per box.
- Smaller electronics moving boxes: Though medium-sized boxes described in the standard-sized boxes section earlier in this report, can suffice for moving small-sized electronic equipment such as computer monitors, boxes dedicated to these items are slightly larger.
Dimensions: 18”x18”x23” (UPS)
Good price: $37 for a set of six boxes or $6.90 per box.
Accessory moving boxes: An assortment of moving boxes is available for moving smaller household items, such as:
- Cube boxes: For canisters, cookie jars, crystal, glassware, etc.Dimensions: 12”x12”12” (UPS, FedEx)
Good price: 1.20 per box
- Poster tubes: These are triangular boxes for packing posters, paintings, and even fishing equipment.Dimensions: 36”x6”x6”X6” (UPS, FedEx, USPS)
Good price: 2.95 per box
- Wine shipping kits: These boxes have a Styrofoam base to fit wine, whisky, and champagne bottle up to 4” in diameter, i.e. 750ml bottles. These boxes come in kits to accommodate one, two, three, or six bottles in a single kit, which includes an outer container box. These kits are priced $6.50 onwards.
Conclusion
This report has provided an overview of the different sizes of moving boxes available in the United States and their good price indications. It should be noted that there are no mandatory standards of box sizes (though there is an industry practice of minimum moving box strength – 32 ECT for regular moving boxes and 44 ECT for heavy-duty boxes). Individual organizations such as FedEX, UPS, and USPS have their own box size specifications that have been pointed out where relevant in this report. It should also be noted that the price indications are for high quality new boxes that are certified ‘Move Tough’, which means that they will not crush under normal shipping conditions.
Used box prices have not been given in this report because they depend on subjective and situational factors. As a rough guide, however, used boxes of identical specifications should cost 50%-80% less (if not absolutely free!) than the prices stated in this report. While used boxes are definitely a better bargain, they may not be as quickly available as the new ones – which is a significant factor to consider if you haven’t planned your move in advance. |
