How to Reduce Shipping Costs for Cardboard Boxes

As a business, and particularly in e-commerce, shipping costs will always be an ongoing expense.

Whether you are shipping the product to the consumer or ordering packaging for your product, the weight, size, and quantity of packaging materials can affect the price.

Shipping costs not only impact your business expenses, but they can also discourage customers from purchasing your product due to unexpected costs.

According to Statista, an astounding 48 percent of online purchasing carts are abandoned due to excessive shipping costs!

For this reason alone, businesses must develop strategies for reducing shipping costs and lowering shipping costs generally.

Thankfully, there are numerous options available to assist you with this endeavour!

Consider Your Packaging Carefully

Let's begin with the product itself and methods for reducing shipping costs.

Prior to sending anything to the consumer, you can begin saving money by optimising your product's packaging, which will also reduce shipping costs.

One of the most common shipping materials is corrugated cartons, but how much does product packaging cost?

Several factors affect the cost of packaging, but you have control over all of them.

Research correspondingly

Before committing to any corrugated packaging solution, it is prudent to conduct research.

There are numerous options and customizations for corrugated boxes, but the most durable or largest option may not be optimal for your product.

Understand the packaging requirements of your product so that it is not over- or under-packaged.

Planning and investigation are the most effective ways to ensure you do not overspend on packaging.

Use the Appropriate Shipping Packaging Materials

Keeping the preceding information in mind, you can now determine what material to use and how much you need.

The key to selecting shipping packaging materials is to use as little as possible while ensuring that your product will arrive safely at its final destination.

Fragile products may require additives, but with research and the assistance of a packaging expert, you can find the optimal materials while minimising shipping costs.

Ultimately, weight can considerably reduce shipping costs, and the packaging materials you choose impact this.

You may not be able to reduce the weight of your product, but you can definitely reduce its packaging weight.

A one-pound difference in packaging can reduce shipping costs by thousands of dollars.

Size Is Crucial – Maximise Your Space

In the same vein as the packaging material, the size of the box is an essential factor in determining how to reduce packaging and shipping costs.

If your product is modest, a large box is unnecessary.

Similarly to how you should minimise packaging materials, you should only use the smallest box required for your product.

To prevent product injury, large boxes generate more weight, waste, and void space that must be filled – which may also increase weight.

Even carriers such as UPS and FedEx have incorporated dimensional pricing that takes into account the volume, size, and weight of your package.

This means that carriers reward companies for using smaller containers with less empty space and products that fit snugly. Maximise the number of items you can accommodate into your box.

Purchase in Greater Quantities

Consider purchasing in larger quantities as a means to reduce shipping costs.

After optimising your package's weight, size, and material, purchasing your packaging solution in bulk can help reduce shipping and packaging expenses.

Larger quantity purchases are less expensive because the machines used by manufacturers do not require repetitive setup for each order; they can instead produce your boxes in a single run.

In addition, the majority of manufacturers sell converted boxes by the corrugated square foot per run.

Square foot price breaks can be as large as a 20% reduction from one square foot board break to the next, so always consult your supplier for a price quote on these breaks. They can save you 10 to 15% on your shipping costs!

Flat-Rate Shipping to Reduce Shipping Costs

Also, when ordering in larger quantities, consider a collapsible option when determining how to reduce corrugated box shipping costs.

Not only does shipping the product to your consumers cost money, but so does transporting your freshly manufactured corrugated boxes to your warehouse!

When you ship your boxes collapsed, you can save space and accommodate more on your chosen mode of transportation.

Consider whether it is more cost-effective to dispatch your boxes in one truck or multiple trucks.

Lightweight Packaging

Utilising lightweight packaging is an efficient method for lowering shipping costs.

A package's weight plays a significant role in determining its shipping costs.

Using lightweight corrugated crates can reduce shipping costs by reducing the package's dimensional weight and actual weight.

The use of lightweight corrugated boxes ensures that the shipping materials do not significantly contribute to the weight of the products. This enables companies to ship more items at a lower cost. Nevertheless, it is essential to ensure that the corrugated boxes are sufficiently sturdy to secure the products during transport.

Using lightweight materials does not compromise the packaging's strength and durability.

Businesses can collaborate with packaging suppliers to find the optimal balance between weight and durability to safeguard their products while minimising shipping costs.

Select Your Shipping Method With Caution

Consider carefully the shipping method for your corrugated cartons and products as the final step in reducing shipping costs.

Learn the fees and rates of all potential carriers and select the one that best meets your needs.

Understand the distinction between the three primary modes of transportation: land, sea, and air. Depending on your requirements, each method has advantages.

Distance, time constraints, and package size and weight are the most essential factors to consider when selecting a shipping method.

Ground shipping is optimal for short, local distances and can transport heavy loads, but its carrying capacity is limited and it is costly for long distances. This pricing method is typically dependent on product weight or dimensions.

Air transport is the quickest and most capacious method, but it is also the most expensive. 

Air shipping is ideal for time-sensitive projects, but like ground shipping, it typically charges based on dimensions or actual weight, whichever is greater. 

Sea transport is optimal for long distances and has a high carrying capacity, but the delivery time is significantly longer. 

This method is very cost-effective if you have a flexible project timeline and volume-based fees, so collapsible packaging also benefits from shipping by sea.

Improve Corrugated Box Designs

The design of corrugated boxes can have a substantial impact on the shipping expenses of enterprises. Boxes that are lightweight, compact, and sufficiently sturdy to secure their contents during transport are optimal for reducing shipping costs.

The following are examples of optimised box styles:

Regular Slotted Containers (RSC): This is the most common shipping box design. They are easy to assemble and applicable to a wide variety of products. The RSC design includes openings on both the top and bottom of the box, making it simple to seal and close. Additionally, the RSC box is highly customizable, allowing businesses to alter the size and shape to meet their particular requirements.

Half-Slotted Containers (HSC): These boxes resemble RSC boxes but lack openings on top. They are optimal for loading larger items from the top. Additionally stackable, HSC boxes are efficient for storage and transportation.

Die-Cut Boxes: These boxes are custom-made to suit the exact shape and size of a product. They are highly effective in terms of material and space utilisation, which can reduce shipping costs. Additionally sturdy, die-cut boxes can safeguard delicate or fragile items during shipping.

FOL (Full Overlap) Boxes: FOL (Full Overlap) boxes have flaps that completely overlap, making them suitable for heavy or fragile items. Additionally, they are material-efficient, as the openings overlap and use less material. Typically, FOL boxes are used to ship large, heavy products that require additional protection.

By utilising optimised corrugated box designs, businesses can reduce shipping costs while ensuring the delivery of products in a secure manner.

Planning and research reduces expenses.

When determining how to reduce shipping costs or how to minimise shipping costs, there are no shortcuts.

The most effective and efficient way to save money is to plan, conduct research, and consult with professionals.

Investigate the optimal packaging materials and dimensions for your product. Know what your product requires and what it does not; simplify its packaging to reduce shipping costs.

Understand how corrugated crates are manufactured. Consult with the manufacturers to determine the optimal order quantity.

Plan your endeavour and investigate potential carriers. Know the various fees that may apply, such as dimensional pricing. 

Consider the advantages of each shipping method when planning your endeavour.

If you still have questions about how to reduce shipping and packaging costs, or if you need additional assistance, a packaging specialist can point you in the right direction!