Shipping Boxes

Shipping boxes are not used as much as ordinary moving boxes. They are more expensive than regular moving boxes, but they are also much more sturdy and durable.

Your possessions take much less of a beating when you are moving only a short distance away.  That's true even if you hire a moving company and they handle your stuff roughly. If you are moving far away, you should consider using shipping boxes to hold your stuff with very little chance of the boxes breaking. Shipping boxes are a lot stronger, more durable, and usually bigger, than ordinary moving boxes.

Shipping boxes are harder to find locally than ordinary moving boxes, but they can be purchased online.  Most moving companies also sell them, but they usually cost more than what you will find online. Don’t expect to get any second-hand shipping boxes from friends or relatives unless they have recently moved items a long distance, themselves.  If you are wanting free shipping boxes, your best source is probably local hardware stores or car dealers. This is because many of their suppliers send their hardware goods and car parts using shipping boxes. These hardware retailers and car dealers don't usually have a need to keep shipping boxes around, so they will probably be willing to give them to you.

Shipping boxes are not just for moving your belongings long distances. Corrugated shipping boxes are also highly recommended for moving fragile items even a short distance because corrugated sidewalls are much sturdier and more resistant to collasping than the sidewalls of ordinary moving boxes. But even though shipping boxes make it a lot safer to move breakable items, it is still important to pack fragile items carefully. Place items carefully into the boxes and use enough air bubble wrap or other packing material so that the items cannot move at all no matter how roughly the shipping boxes are handled.

Shipping boxes are more expensive than regular moving boxes.  However, because they are not easy to find second-hand, there is a good chance that you can sell your shipping boxes after your move.  And since shipping boxes are very sturdy, your boxes will probably still be in very good condition, so you should be able to get back at least some of what you paid for them.

When you are ready to sell, tell your family and friends that you have shipping boxes for sale.  Make sure to tell everyone that the boxes are in good, or even great, condition.  If that does not produce buyers, then advertise the shipping boxes locally by posting flyers at local stores or by buying classified ads in local papers.  If that doesn’t produce buyers, you can sell your boxes on eBay. 

Tips on Shipping Boxes

Tip 1: Since you'll probably pay less for shipping boxes by buying them online rather than from a local moving company, start shopping for your shipping boxes as soon as you know you are going to need them. This allows time for the shipping boxes to be mailed to you.

Tip 2: When you are trying to resell your shipping boxes, don't make Craigslist the first place you advertise because Craigslist shoppers always want really bargain prices.  You will make more money by letting your family and friends know that you have shipping boxes for sale or by advertising them on eBay.