Corrugated Boxes
The backbone of shipping and logistics. Used corrugated boxes in every standard size — sorted, inspected, and ready for reuse.
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Why Used Corrugated Boxes?
Corrugated boxes are the most widely used packaging material in the world. Millions are used once and discarded every day. We intercept those boxes, inspect them for quality, sort them by size and grade, and make them available to businesses at significant savings.
A used corrugated box that's been through one shipment still retains 80–90% of its original strength. For most applications — especially B2B shipping, internal transfers, and storage — that's more than enough.
By choosing used boxes, you're saving money and reducing the demand for new cardboard production, which requires trees, water, and significant energy to manufacture.
Available Size Ranges
Understanding Corrugated Construction
Corrugated board consists of one or more layers of wavy paper (fluting) sandwiched between flat liner sheets. The flute profile, liner weight, and number of walls determine the box's strength, cushioning, and cost.
Flute Types Explained
The "flute" is the wavy middle layer that gives corrugated board its strength. Different flute profiles offer different trade-offs between cushioning, crush resistance, thickness, and printability. Here are the five standard flute types used in the industry.
| Flute | Thickness | Flutes/Foot | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Flute | ~1/4" | 33-36 | Best cushioning, good stacking strength. Ideal for fragile items. |
| B-Flute | ~1/8" | 47-52 | Good crush resistance, smooth surface. Great for printing and die-cutting. |
| C-Flute | ~5/32" | 39-43 | Most versatile. Balance of cushioning, strength, and printability. |
| E-Flute | ~1/16" | 90-98 | Excellent print surface. Retail packaging, point-of-purchase displays. |
| F-Flute | ~1/32" | 125+ | Ultra-thin. Superior print quality. Small retail and food packaging. |
Liner Types & Board Grades
The flat outer layers of corrugated board are called liners. Liner quality directly impacts the box's burst strength, printability, and moisture resistance.
Kraft Liner
Made from virgin wood fibers. The strongest liner type with excellent burst and tear resistance. Identified by its brown color. Used for heavy-duty applications.
Test Liner
Made partly or fully from recycled fibers. Slightly lower strength than kraft but more economical and environmentally friendly. Most common for standard shipping boxes.
White Top Liner
Kraft or test liner with a white coating or layer on one side. Provides a clean surface for high-quality printing. Used for retail-facing and branded packaging.
Coated Liner
Liner with a wax, polyethylene, or other coating for moisture and grease resistance. Used in food packaging, refrigerated shipping, and outdoor storage applications.
Wall Types & Strength
Understanding corrugated board construction
Single Wall (C-Flute)
Standard corrugated board. One layer of fluting between two liners. Ideal for light to medium-weight items up to 65 lbs. C-flute is the most common flute size with a thickness of about 5/32 inch. It offers a good balance of cushioning, stacking strength, and printability.
Single Wall (B-Flute)
Thinner fluting for a smoother printing surface. Good crush resistance. Common in retail and display packaging. B-flute measures about 1/8 inch thick. It has more flutes per foot than C-flute, providing a flatter surface ideal for die-cutting and high-quality printing.
Single Wall (E-Flute)
Micro-flute construction at about 1/16 inch thick. Excellent printing surface with minimal flute shadowing. Used for retail-ready packaging, pizza boxes, and point-of-purchase displays where visual quality is paramount.
Single Wall (F-Flute)
Ultra-thin micro-flute at approximately 1/32 inch. The thinnest common flute, offering superb print quality and minimal material usage. Ideal for small retail boxes, fast-food packaging, and cosmetic packaging.
Double Wall (BC-Flute)
Two layers of fluting for increased strength and stackability. Combines B-flute and C-flute for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Best for heavier items and stacking in warehouses. The most common double-wall construction.
Double Wall (EB-Flute)
Extra-thick fluting for maximum protection. Combines E-flute and B-flute layers. Used for fragile, heavy, or high-value items. Provides excellent puncture resistance and stacking strength.
ECT vs. Mullen Test
Two standard tests measure corrugated box strength. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right box for your application.
ECT (Edge Crush Test)
Measures the compressive strength of corrugated board by applying force to the edge of the board until it crushes. The result is reported in pounds per linear inch (lbs/in). ECT is the primary indicator of a box's stacking strength — how much weight can be placed on top of a loaded box without it collapsing.
32 ECT: Standard single-wall, up to 65 lbs contents, stack up to 2,100 lbs
44 ECT: Heavy single-wall, up to 80 lbs contents, stack up to 3,500 lbs
48 ECT: Standard double-wall, up to 120 lbs contents, stack up to 4,600 lbs
82 ECT: Triple-wall, up to 300 lbs contents, stack up to 10,000 lbs
Best for: Warehouse stacking, pallet loads, consistent heavy weight on top.
Mullen Test (Burst Strength)
Measures the pressure needed to puncture or rupture the face of corrugated board. The result is reported in pounds per square inch (PSI). The Mullen test indicates how well a box resists punctures from internal or external forces — important when contents are sharp, heavy, or may shift during transit.
200 PSI: Standard single-wall, general shipping up to 65 lbs
275 PSI: Heavy single-wall, heavier items up to 80 lbs
400 PSI: Double-wall, heavy or sharp contents up to 120 lbs
700 PSI: Triple-wall, industrial and heavy machinery
Best for: Sharp or irregular contents, rough handling, puncture-prone environments.
Which test should you use? If your primary concern is stacking strength (palletized loads in a warehouse), focus on ECT ratings. If your concern is puncture resistance (sharp or heavy individual items), focus on Mullen (burst) strength. Most used boxes we sell are rated by ECT, as it has become the more widely adopted standard in North America.
Choosing the Right Box
Consider these four factors to select the perfect corrugated box for your shipment.
Weight of Contents
This is the most critical factor. Items under 30 lbs do fine in single-wall E or B-flute. Items between 30-65 lbs need single-wall C-flute. Items between 65-120 lbs require double-wall. Anything heavier demands triple-wall or specialty construction. Always check the box's ECT rating against your actual load weight.
Fragility of Contents
Fragile items need extra cushioning. Thicker flute profiles (A-flute, C-flute) provide better shock absorption. Combine with internal padding — bubble wrap, foam inserts, or kraft paper — for optimal protection. Double-wall provides an extra layer of protection for high-value fragile items.
Stacking Requirements
If boxes will be palletized and stacked in a warehouse, ECT rating is paramount. Higher ECT means more stacking capacity. Full-overlap (FOL) style boxes offer better stacking strength than standard RSC. Double-wall construction significantly increases stacking capacity for the same footprint.
Transit Time & Conditions
Longer transit times and rougher handling conditions demand stronger boxes. Ground shipping across the country with multiple transfers needs more protection than a local delivery. Consider humidity and temperature exposure too — if boxes will be exposed to moisture, use treated or coated corrugated or add a liner.
Custom Printing & Branding
While our core business is used boxes, we also offer custom-printed new corrugated boxes for businesses that need branded packaging. Your packaging is often the first physical touchpoint with your customer — make it count.
We offer single-color flexographic printing for simple logos and text, as well as multi-color lithographic printing for high-quality graphics and branding. Minimum order quantities typically start at 500 boxes for flexo and 1,000 for litho printing.
For used boxes, we offer branded labels and stickers that can be applied over existing printing, giving you a branded look without the cost of custom-printed boxes.
Printing Options
Flexographic (Flexo)
1-3 colors. Fast, economical. MOQ: 500 boxes. Lead time: 2-3 weeks.
Lithographic (Litho)
Full color. Photo-quality graphics. MOQ: 1,000 boxes. Lead time: 3-4 weeks.
Digital Printing
Full color. No plates needed. MOQ: 50 boxes. Lead time: 1-2 weeks.
Branded Labels / Stickers
Apply to used boxes. Full color. MOQ: 250 labels. Lead time: 1 week.
Corrugated Box FAQ
Common questions about corrugated boxes, answered.
What is the difference between RSC and FOL box styles?
RSC (Regular Slotted Container) is the most common box style where all flaps are the same length and the outer flaps meet at the center. FOL (Full Overlap) has outer flaps that completely overlap each other, providing greater stacking strength and protection. FOL boxes are preferred for heavy items or long-distance shipping.
How much weight can a used corrugated box hold?
Weight capacity depends on the wall type, flute profile, and condition. A single-wall C-flute box in good condition handles up to 65 lbs. Double-wall BC-flute handles up to 120 lbs. The box grade matters too — a Grade A used box retains approximately 90% of its original strength, while a Grade C retains about 70%.
Are used corrugated boxes sanitary for food products?
Used corrugated boxes should not be used for direct food contact unless they are food-grade and have been properly inspected. However, they are commonly used for outer packaging and shipping cartons in the food industry. For direct contact with food items, we recommend new food-grade corrugated or using a liner bag inside a used box.
Can I get used boxes with custom printing?
Used boxes will typically have some existing printing from their previous use. If you need clean, unprinted boxes, request Grade A or specify "no print" in your order. For branded packaging, we also offer new corrugated boxes with custom printing — contact us for details on minimum quantities and lead times.
What does "multi-depth" mean for corrugated boxes?
Multi-depth boxes have pre-scored lines at multiple heights on all four sides, allowing you to fold down and cut the box to a shorter height. This is especially useful for e-commerce and fulfillment operations where you ship products of varying heights and want to minimize void space and dimensional weight charges.
How should I store used corrugated boxes?
Store boxes flat in a dry, indoor location. Keep them off the ground on pallets to prevent moisture wicking. Avoid storing near heat sources or in direct sunlight, which can dry out and weaken the corrugated material. Properly stored, used boxes can maintain their grade for months.
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