Boxes & Mailers Comparison

By: Berlin Packaging Specialist
Date: October 20, 2019

Boxes & Mailers Comparison

All Boxes are not Created Equal

Thus, different boxes serve different purposes. Corrugated boxes have walls which are constructed from three separate layers: the inner sheet, the corrugated center, and the outer sheet. These boxes come in single or double wall configuration providing varying amounts of strength. Manufacturers and freight companies use the Mullen Test and the Edge Crush Test to determine box strength. However, the most important factor when choosing a box is the weight of the contents the box will be carrying. Use this Boxes and Mailers Buying Guide for all of your box needs.

All Boxes are not Created Equal
Key Terms for Boxes & Mailers

Key Terms for Boxes & Mailers

  • Burst/Mullen Test: Judges a box's ability to handle interior and exterior forces during handling. The measurements for this test are shown in pounds (such as, 200# Test Kraft Corrugated).
  • ECT: Edge Crush Test measuring the amount of pressure a box can handle before the edges collapse.
  • ASTM-5118: American Society for Testing Materials - Standard Practice for the Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes
  • CSSC: Center Slotted Container
  • RSC: Regular Slotted Container
Corrugated Shipping Boxes
 
 

Corrugated Shipping Boxes

32# ECT kraft corrugated
RSC style
Meets ASTM-D5118
Contents should not exceed 35 lbs

Heavy-Duty Shipping Boxes
 
 

Heavy-Duty Shipping Boxes

275# Test kraft corrugated
RSC style
Meets ASTM-D5118
Contents should not exceed 95 lbs

EXTRA HEAVY-DUTY CORRUGATED BOXES
 
 

Extra Heavy-Duty Shipping Boxes

350# Test doublewall kraft corrugated
RSC or CSSC style
Meets ASTM-D5118
Contents should not exceed 150 lbs

Quick Lock Mailers
 
 

Quick Lock Mailers

200# Test kraft corrugated
Mottled white finish
Meets ASTM-D5118

Elongated Square Mailers
 
 

Elongated Square Mailers

200# Test corrugated
Mottled white finish

Multi-Depth Mailers
 
 

Multi-Depth Mailers

200# Test
One piece, marble white finish
Meets ASTM-D5118

Rigid Mailers
 
 

Rigid Mailers

Solid fiber
.038 wall

Storage Boxes
 
 

Storage Boxes

200# Test kraft corrugated
2 piece box

Carrying Case With Handle
 
 

Carrying Case With Handle

200# Test kraft corrugated
1 piece box
Oyster white finish

Reverse Tuck Cartons
 
 

Reverse Tuck Cartons

Solid fiber
Meets PPP-B-566