Materials guide for LEGO selling & shipping

Many members have asked for a centralized place where they can go for shipping box information. I'm going to pin this post and update it as new information is provided. I just want to take a few minutes and thank those who wrote the following articles. They are still very good reference materials for the LEGO storage and shipping process. I may develop this into a blog article eventually.

Fcbarcelona101's : Selling LEGO : Basic Materials Guide
Mos Eisley 's : LEGO Storage Wars

Incompetech's Catalog of Amazon.com Box Sizes - (thanks No More Monkeys)

Amazon Boxes Sorted list by length - courtesy of pstebbing

I've scoured the forums and here is a list of box sizes with basic set information:

Boxes:
24x20x8 : Super Star Destroyer; Death Star, Roller Coaster, UCS Sandcrawler, Assembly Square
24x20x6 : Thicker sets like Town Hall, Tower Bridge
24x16x6 - 60052 Cargo Train, R2-D2, Maersk Line Triple-E, 7939 Cargo Train
24x16x4 - Helm's Deep, Vampyre Castle, Black Pearl, Friends Riding Camp, Parisian Restaurant, High Speed Passenger Train, Jabba's Palace, Downtown Diner
24x20x4 : Grand Emporium, Pet Shop, Imperial Shuttle, Haunted House, Palace Cinema, Fire Brigade
24x14x4 : Dolphin Cruiser, Coast Guard Patrol
24x4x12 - Dolphin Cruiser, Coast Guard Patrol
20x16x4 - Volkswagen Camper Van, Olivia's House, Sonic Raider, Sopwith, Creator Bike Shop, Batcave, Quinjet, Moria & Ambush
20x16x6 : Thicker sets like the Republic Gunship; City Cargo Plane
20x14x4 : Attack on Weathertop, Hulk 's Helicarrier Breakout, X-Wing 9493, Black Gate
16x16x4 : Gungan Sub, Pre Viszla, Tie Fighter
16x10x4 : Council of Elrond, Desert Skiff, City Grand Prix Truck
16x10x6 : Thicker sets like Creator Family House, Hillside House
15x12x4 : Funhouse, Orc Forge, Tumbler Chase, Daily Bugle Showdown, Hulk Lab Smash
12x12x4 : Uruk Hai Army, City Cargo Truck, Creator Treehouse, City Fire Emergency
11-3/4x8-3/4x4-3/4 : Wolverine Chopper, Arctic Batman, Power Armor Lex, Droid Escape, Cloud Cuckoo Palace
12x8x3 - Battle Packs, CA Avenging Cycle, Catwoman, Gandalf Arrives, Holiday sets
10x8x4 : Battle Packs, CA Avenging Cycle, Catwoman, Gandalf Arrives, Holiday sets

Envelopes:
4x8 : Minifigs & small polybags
6x9 : Polybags small & larger
10.5 x 16 : Larger shipments of 3 x polybags or more

Packing Tape : buy in bulk or on sale : you can throw some in during a Staples coupon promotion to get up to free shipping
Walmart.com Duck Brand Packaging Tape
http://www.staples.com/Staples-Standard-Grade-Packaging-Tape-Clear-189-x-110-yds-6-Rolls/product_380107

Retailers:
Uline.com : holiday sale starts first part of November (usually 30% off)
Staples.com : use coupon promotions - $10 off $30, $20 off $75, free shipping over $60
Walmart.com
USPS Priority Mail (free boxes at USPS.com)

 

Michigan Box Company:

Flat Boxes 18"-23" L  (thanks pstebbing)

GBE Packaging (thanks pstebbing)
 

PackingSupplies.com

http://www.packaging...ated_boxes.html     (thanks pstebbing)

 

Bubble Wrap:
3/16" thick x 350' ft x 12" wide - eBay

 

Sams Club

3/16" - 12"x240' $12.98 (In store) ($.05/LF) (thanks pstebbing)

I like to use large and small retailer plastic bags to wrap items in, even after I bubble wrap it.

For battle packs and even small sets, I sometimes use Wal-Mart, Target, or plastic bags from any store. Additional packing isn 't really needed. Usually like 2 bags on bottom, one to wrap the item, and two bags on top. Make sure to cover the corners of the item real nice to provide extra padding.

Rule of thumb : ship & pack all of your items the same way you 'd like to receive items you've purchased.

Shipping Paper:
Collect it when you receive shipments.
http://www.amazon.com/Pratt-Multipurpose-Packaging-KPR30241200R-Length/dp/B00AI652CM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408061459&sr=8-1&keywords=pratt+kraft+paper+1200?

Shipping Labels & Printers:
Dymo 450 & Dymo 400
Brother QL-700

DoNotInsertIntoMouth's : How to setup your label printer for shipping on eBay


Feel free to post a follow-up or point out anything I missed. I 'll update it with what everyone wants added. I hope this is helpful.

Well WM duck brand cheap tape is 1.6mil so this is a little thicker. Fwiw

Anyone ever ship an item in, say, a USPS Medium Flat Rate Box, but when paying for shipping (at your desktop at home), just select "basic" Priority Mail as the rate (which is usually cheaper than the flat rate price)?  I was using "Regional Rate Box A" for several shipments before I learned there was a special rate for this box.  Anyone else doing this?  Anyone ever pay basic Priority Mail rate, and have a packaged rejected?

Always used flat rate price w flat rate med box.

This was the most appropriate thread I could think of to post this, the USPS has posted some rate increase information that is proposed to start January 2016. In short, it's a double digit percentage increase across the board. One thing that stands out is First Class Package rates. Although increasing 12.8%, the weight limit moves from 13oz to 16oz. So there is some good mixed in with the bad (the rate increase). There is a pretty good blog post about it here:

http://blog.stamps.com/2015/10/22/usps-announces-postage-rate-increase-starts-january-17-2016/

This is really going to hurt folks that sell minifigs. Steep increase on 3-5oz first class packages. Also more incentive to use Parcel Select in some cases. Never understood why Priority was actually cheaper or the same as Parcel in a lot of situations. Looks like they are fixing that.

This was the most appropriate thread I could think of to post this, the USPS has posted some rate increase information that is proposed to start January 2016. In short, it's a double digit percentage increase across the board. One thing that stands out is First Class Package rates. Although increasing 12.8%, the weight limit moves from 13oz to 16oz. So there is some good mixed in with the bad (the rate increase). There is a pretty good blog post about it here:

http://blog.stamps.com/2015/10/22/usps-announces-postage-rate-increase-starts-january-17-2016/

This will hit parter outers in the wallet.  First Class jumps to $2.60 up to 8oz.

Wow, that is insane.  Don't think it will affect Bricklink and Brickowl too heavily as ALL the sellers will be increasing their shipping rates to reflect this, but ebay will take a beating.  

 

Click-N-Ship Features:  Available on USPS.com, these features will move to retail pricing once the new rates are implemented in January 2016.  Commercial Base pricing for these features will no longer be available.

I wonder if ^^ applies to first class international packages too....if so I need to find a new venue to purchase international labels!

Wow, that is insane.  Don't think it will affect Bricklink and Brickowl too heavily as ALL the sellers will be increasing their shipping rates to reflect this, but ebay will take a beating.  

 

Click-N-Ship Features:  Available on USPS.com, these features will move to retail pricing once the new rates are implemented in January 2016.  Commercial Base pricing for these features will no longer be available.

I wonder if ^^ applies to first class international packages too....if so I need to find a new venue to purchase international labels!

I still expect we'll see a discounted rate.

looks like ups will be getting an increase in business. I trust them more anyway

looks like ups will be getting an increase in business. I trust them more anyway

The only thing I trust about UPS is that the package will arrive destroyed to me...

I guess it varies by area. Ups for me is great while usps always damages stuff, loses stuff, leaves it out in the rain, delivers late, always misses my scheduled pick ups, leaves notices on my door saying they missed me even though I was home and they didn't even try to knock, and fights me on every claim. Literally the only reason I use them now at all is price. Take that away and I have no reason to use usps

The best and sturdiest boxes we use are a bit expensive but do support it's contents are from ULINE google it many ,many sizes.

Wrap in unprinted news paper wrap a few times, cut and tape ends, Secure box, tape bottom, if it's over 20 inches 3 bands of tape, center and two between end to center tape. one to 3 tapes on seam spreading it out a bit, but still center. Tape both bottom ends. turn box over. tape a 6inch or more across inside box seam. two tabes on inside flaps. Place package inside, Bubble wrap, large or small, large , bottom only, it will cover sided an over top a bit. small wrap whole box once, you may need 1 more piece top or bottom, BUBBLES TOWARD THE OUTSIDE of package. Tape seal top of box same way as bottom.

Unprinted newspaper wrap is usually free, called "end rolls" long and sometimes heavy.

Once you order from ULINE they will enclose a catalog every order, and then some.

Get a 30 day account, just pay the bill online, mail check, or call.

Any questions??? Good luck

Which brick and mortar has boxes for a lego technic crawler?

Hey guys, I usually only ship through Ebay but I have recently sold a set through BC. I was wondering what settings are used to print a label in PayPal using my Dymo 450 Turbo. Thanks, Josh. 

 

I'm using the 99019 labels.

Edited November 5, 201510 yr by MarleyMoose

I prefer to use shipping paper over air packs but I'm running low.  Is this my best option (quoted from Exciter1's original post)?  I'd like to have plenty on hand for the holidays.  I find my stress level goes way down when I can easily find boxes and shipping supplies.

Shipping Paper: 
Collect it when you receive shipments.
http://www.amazon.com/Pratt-Multipurpose-Packaging-KPR30241200R-Length/dp/B00AI652CM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408061459&sr=8-1&keywords=pratt+kraft+paper+1200?

Emazers recommend going to your nearest Vitamin shop or GNC etc. He said they throw out tons of shipping paper.

33 minutes ago, BrickLegacy said:

I prefer to use shipping paper over air packs but I'm running low.  Is this my best option (quoted from Exciter1's original post)?  I'd like to have plenty on hand for the holidays.  I find my stress level goes way down when I can easily find boxes and shipping supplies.

Shipping Paper: 
Collect it when you receive shipments.
http://www.amazon.com/Pratt-Multipurpose-Packaging-KPR30241200R-Length/dp/B00AI652CM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408061459&sr=8-1&keywords=pratt+kraft+paper+1200?

Yes, that's still the best price.  My last two orders dating back to June 2014 have been $26 each.

It sure would be easier to store it if it was on a roll though. ;-)

6 minutes ago, pstebbing said:

It sure would be easier to store it if it was on a roll though. ;-)

I prefer the roll and I don't have to go dumpster diving. It does last a long time. 

12 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

Yes, that's still the best price.  My last two orders dating back to June 2014 have been $26 each.

What pound weight is that paper?  I've been buying my paper from Uline because I can't figure out how heavy the Amazon paper is.

4 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

I prefer the roll and I don't have to go dumpster diving. It does last a long time. 

Thanks.

This seems like a decent price on bubble wrap:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PBKUBG/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1JFE6EN10LBEH

Might as well start packing like the pros.

10 minutes ago, redcell said:

What pound weight is that paper?  I've been buying my paper from Uline because I can't figure out how heavy the Amazon paper is.

According to Frank's Car Parts, he says it's 30lb basis weight paper.

http://frankcarparts.com/p/Solenoids/detail/B00AI652CM/Pratt-Multipurpose-Kraft-Paper-Sheet-for-Packaging-Wrap-KPR30241200R-1200-Length-x-24-Width-Kraft.php

Same thing at Greysharky.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pratt-Multipurpose-Kraft-Paper-Sheet-for-Packaging-Wrap-KPR30241200R-1200-Leng-/171795196927?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ffcaabff

 

We always use fresh bubble wrap, it's not cheap, but save any you get and those "air bags" for spacers. Using paper for spacers starts to add to the weight.

With paper, go to a printing place, your newspaper will always have 'end rolls', usually their free some newspapers charge. there is no printing on them and they are light weight. The Mayor

14 hours ago, exciter1 said:

According to Frank's Car Parts, he says it's 30lb basis weight paper.

http://frankcarparts.com/p/Solenoids/detail/B00AI652CM/Pratt-Multipurpose-Kraft-Paper-Sheet-for-Packaging-Wrap-KPR30241200R-1200-Length-x-24-Width-Kraft.php

Same thing at Greysharky.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pratt-Multipurpose-Kraft-Paper-Sheet-for-Packaging-Wrap-KPR30241200R-1200-Leng-/171795196927?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ffcaabff

 

That's a better price with Prime than Uline for that weight paper.

17 hours ago, BrickLegacy said:

Thanks.

This seems like a decent price on bubble wrap:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PBKUBG/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1JFE6EN10LBEH

Might as well start packing like the pros.

I don't know what a good price is for bubble wrap as I usually just reuse whatever I have received in shipments, but I often will compare prices to Costco and if it is cheaper than I make the assumption that it is probably a good price. Costco.com has this same thickness, width, and length of bubble wrap for $23.99 including shipping so this Amazon price looks pretty good. Anyone finding it at a better price than $12.49 shipped?