Shipping cartons are sturdy cardboard containers designed for the safe transport of goods over distances—ranging from wholesale deliveries and palletized freight to everyday e-commerce courier shipments. Their primary function is to protect the contents against mechanical damage, shocks, and fluctuating weather conditions.
Key features of shipping cartons
- High mechanical strength: Typically manufactured from corrugated cardboard (3- or 5-layer), providing high rigidity and resistance to crushing under pressure.
- Ergonomics and standardization: Often designed with dimensions that facilitate pallet stacking and ensure compatibility with courier company size limits and parcel lockers.
- Versatility: Used for packaging virtually any type of goods—from electronics and clothing to automotive parts and food.
Most popular types
- Flap cartons: Traditional and most economical boxes; the top and bottom flaps are secured with packing tape.
- Die-cut cartons: Boxes with a self-locking design (compliant with the FEFCO catalog) that can be assembled without adhesive tape.
- Variable-height cartons: Boxes featuring additional creases (scores) that allow the walls to be easily cut or folded, adjusting the carton’s height to the size of the item being shipped.