Too big and you pay for air; too weak and you pay for damage. Here is how to choose a shipping box that protects your product and your margin.
The box you ship in is part of the product experience — and part of the shipping bill. Couriers in Saudi Arabia charge by whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight. A box that is larger than necessary inflates the volumetric figure, while a box that is too weak leads to damage and returns. Choosing well pays off on every parcel.
Understand volumetric weight
Volumetric (or dimensional) weight is calculated as length × width × height in centimetres divided by a divisor, commonly 5,000 for domestic courier. A 40 × 30 × 30 cm box has a volumetric weight of 7.2 kg, even if it contains a 1 kg t-shirt. Right-sizing the box is the fastest way to reduce courier cost.
Match box strength to the contents
- Single-wall corrugated (3-ply): lightweight goods up to about 10 kg — apparel, cosmetics, books.
- Double-wall (5-ply): heavier or fragile goods up to 25 kg — electronics, glassware, spare parts.
- Triple-wall (7-ply): very heavy or industrial items and multi-box consolidation.
Leave the right amount of cushioning
Aim for 3 to 5 cm of protective material on every side of a fragile item. Use paper, air pillows or moulded inserts rather than loose polystyrene, which shifts in transit.
Standard sizes save money
Stocking three to five standard box sizes that fit your best-selling products simplifies packing and lets you negotiate packaging prices. Many e-commerce sellers in the Kingdom use mailer boxes for small items and 30 × 20 × 15 cm or 40 × 30 × 20 cm cartons for the rest.
Seal and label properly
Use 48 mm pressure-sensitive tape in an H pattern across the top and bottom seams. Place one label flat on the largest face, away from edges and seams.
TQM International can advise on packaging standards and supply cartons and mailers to courier customers shipping at volume.
