Shipping boxes come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, materials and accessories to strengthen and secure them. Depending on the size, weight and shape of an item, an appropriate box must be used for optimum protection. A box that is too large may incur extra shipping charges or add cost on packing materials while a box that is too small may not provide enough space for fillers that will help protect the contents from damage due to impact and vibration during transit. Here are some tips on how to select the right size box for shipping.
The size of the shipping box will depend on the size of the item and the amount of cushioning it requires. The rule of thumb is to use a box that can snugly accommodate the item being shipped with at least 2 inches of extra space on all sides for packaging materials. Use cushioning to fill the all voids to keep the item immobile in the center of the box.
It is a good idea to wrap the item in bubble wrap before measuring its dimensions. Then, order or purchase a box that can accommodate your item. Remember that sizes specified on boxes are usually the inside measurements of length, width and depth. Length is the longer dimension, width is the shorter, while depth is measured perpendicular to the length and width.