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.

Yes. Sams Club is a little cheaper. Looks like their price went up to $14.98, but still $0.06/ft.

Uboxes=175' roll

Sams Club=240' roll

Scotch Cushion Bubble Wrap, 240 sq. ft. 

 

Edited November 9, 201510 yr by pstebbing

10 minutes ago, pstebbing said:

Yes. Sams Club is a little cheaper. Looks like their price went up to $14.98, but still $0.06/ft.

Uboxes=175' roll

Sams Club=240' roll

Scotch Cushion Bubble Wrap, 240 sq. ft. 

 

If you don't have a Sam's Club membership, can you still order?

8 minutes ago, meganr said:

If you don't have a Sam's Club membership, can you still order?

You can but you'd have to create a guest account and then pay 10% extra.

So for you Amazon would be the way to go.

Edited November 9, 201510 yr by pstebbing

5 minutes ago, pstebbing said:

Only one way to find out.

You're right, so I tried and non-members pay 10% more so it is $16.48 or about 6.9 cents per square foot. :-)

In case you missed it on Daily Deals.  Staples $200 for $170 (4x eBay bucks for some, too)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Staples-Gift-Card-for-only-170-Email-delivery-/281848050639?hash=item419f73f3cf:g:4nMAAOSwjVVVqP9a

Also, coupon code for Staples 20% off Packing and Shipping Supplies: 61715

Don't forget to order enough ($50 after discount) to qualify for free shipping.

 

I don't know if this has ever been mentioned before, but I have been using this site called FitShipper that is really helpful for determining box size and the most cost effective shipping method.

http://www.flippertools.com/fitShipper/fitShipper.html

They also are working on another tool that may be helpful related to Best Offer sales on ebay. You can enter the ebay item number or the URL for the item and it will give you the offer history.

http://www.flippertools.com/tools/ebayOfferHistory/ebay-best-offer-actual-price.htm

Staples this week (through Nov 21):

40% off your $50 purchase of regular-priced packing and shipping supplies
* Online / In-store code = 16055

40% off any one regular-priced packing or shipping item

* In-store code = 78118

http://www.staples.com/coupons

 

 

 

This thread saved my life.

I just packed six advent calendars using the staples boxes and packing paper Exciter recommended on his OP.  I cut my packing time down by at least 75%.  No hunting for boxes, no looking for packing materials.  Yes, I had to expense these items but its more than worth the time and its definitely lowered my stress level when packing multiple orders.  Plus, its nice to have the same size box when entering dimensions into eBay postage calculators.

Better yet, storing the paper roll and neat/flattened boxes is WAY easier than the alternative. 

Highly recommend you read this thread if you haven't already and strongly consider the value of a few minor expenses to help your business or hobby.  The Staples deal g3man posted above makes it a great time to pick up some supplies, especially if you took advantage of the Staples gift card last week!

Thanks to everyone who contributes to this thread.  One of the best on the site.

This is one if my fav topics (aka threads) on Brickpicker since it helps everyone.

FYI...

I did want to share something important for those who ship in bulk to 1 location.  A somewhat popular shipping box size is 26"x26"x26" for bulk selling & is very cost efficient if using UPS Gound or Fed-Ex with their business account .  For those who saw my pics in the "What did you sell today" topic, know I regular use this box size.  However, I will NO longer use this size anymore.  Why? 

Both UPS & FedEX now use automatic laser measures for verifying package size since going to dimensional weight about a year ago.  They also do random audits using manual measurements.  The issue with the 26"x26"x26" box is if it 1 of the 3 measurements exceed 26" (even by 1cm), UPS will round up to 27" which then puts this box into the Large Package category that adds a $50+ surcharge.  Thus my $55 shipment now costs $105. 

My last 2 26"x26"x26" boxes had the large package surcharge.  My previous shipped boxes didn't have this problem.  Luckily, my UPS Biz Account Rep helped me by getting the fee waived since I take pictures with a tape measure and had previous 26"x26"x26" shipments in my history.

To avoid this hassle going forward, I'm switching to 24"x24"x24" boxes.  Sure, I lose precious packing space but avoiding the surcharge is totally worth it.

https://www.ups.com/content/cb/en/resources/ship/packaging/dim_weight.html

 

For anyone running out of boxes - 40% off Staples Shipping Supplies $50 or more Code

87580

 

Good until 12/19/15

Edited December 14, 201510 yr by legogregors

6 minutes ago, legogregors said:

For anyone running out of boxes - 40% of Staples Shipping Supplies $50 or more Code

87580

 

Good until 12/19/15

thanks.

I wish I was out...

Edited December 14, 201510 yr by pstebbing

For anyone running out of boxes - 40% of Staples Shipping Supplies $50 or more Code

87580   Good until 12/19/15

I wish it was 100% of Staples Shipping Supplies were 40% off...[emoji6]

Decent Staples gift cards available at raise and cardpool ~7.5%

Gang,

I'm planning out a box purchase from Staples.  I'd like to buy some new boxes for SSD/DS. How do you guys normally ship these sets to your customers?  If you have them in a LEGO carton, do you double box, ship the carton, or remove from the carton and pack it in a new box?

LEGO (and sometimes Amazon) ships the set inside the LEGO carton inside a separate shipping box (double boxed).  This is my preferred method to receive them.  It seems like that reduces the chance of damage.  My second choice is shipping the set in a new box (not recycled from purchases).  These are large purchases so I don't want to mess around by cutting costs on boxes or shipping.

The OP lists a box size of 24x20x8 for SSD/DS.  A box to fit a SSD/DS LEGO carton would have to be at least 24x22x8.  Staples has a 24x24x9.  Is that my best option? 

41 minutes ago, BrickLegacy said:

Gang,

I'm planning out a box purchase from Staples.  I'd like to buy some new boxes for SSD/DS. How do you guys normally ship these sets to your customers?  If you have them in a LEGO carton, do you double box, ship the carton, or remove from the carton and pack it in a new box?

LEGO (and sometimes Amazon) ships the set inside the LEGO carton inside a separate shipping box (double boxed).  This is my preferred method to receive them.  It seems like that reduces the chance of damage.  My second choice is shipping the set in a new box (not recycled from purchases).  These are large purchases so I don't want to mess around by cutting costs on boxes or shipping.

The OP lists a box size of 24x20x8 for SSD/DS.  A box to fit a SSD/DS LEGO carton would have to be at least 24x22x8.  Staples has a 24x24x9.  Is that my best option? 

Just from what you outlined, 24x24x9 sounds like a great option.  I would definitely ship in the LEGO carton if you have them.

I think I just got screwed out of a Staples gift card.  Purchased a $200 for $175 from Paypal digital gift cards back in November.  Used about $75 of it on one order in November.  Went to place another order tonight.  Gift card loaded at checkout (as guest).  Realized I was missing something in my cart, went to check out again, tried re-applying the code, didn't work. 

Tried to check the balance online: invalid information.  Tried the 1-800 number: invalid pin.

Either Staples has some bizarre way of disabling gift cards if you begin to checkout as guest and don't complete the purchase, or their gift card system is down right now.  

Anyone else have a Staples gift card and able to check your balance?

i had the same thing with a microsoftstore.com card buying xbox stuff.  I applied the code, fixed my address, went back to checkout, and code would not work.  Different browswers, cookes etc.... had to call them via phone and I think they just handjammed in a code for me as it was obvoius I wasnt lying.

3 hours ago, remy1492 said:

i had the same thing with a microsoftstore.com card buying xbox stuff.  I applied the code, fixed my address, went back to checkout, and code would not work.  Different browswers, cookes etc.... had to call them via phone and I think they just handjammed in a code for me as it was obvoius I wasnt lying.

Thanks.  Must have been a system issue because I tried just now and it worked.  Weird.  

20% off Staples shipping supplies with code 34282. Expires 01/09. 

This is for us UK peeps, I'm always curious where other sellers buy their boxes for large sets, me personally I buy mine from ASC Direct, you can custom design your boxes in various sizes. I tend to buy 600-400-100mm side opening boxes ( they roughly cost £1.20 each, shipping included, ) because they cover a lot of medium to large Lego sets. For the really large Lego sets, I save the Lego shop order boxes, and for the smaller sets I order them off eBay in large amounts for the volume discounts ( these tend to be between 20p-55p. )

Staples has a 40% off packaging coupon for orders over $50

41201 good until 1/16/16

Does anyone know the best Staples box size for set 10697 Large Creative Box 1500 piece?

http://www.staples.com/Staples-Corrugated-Shipping-Boxes-12-H-x-12-W-x-12-D-5-Bundle-49279-/product_210898

or

http://www.staples.com/16-x12-x12-Partners-Brand-Corrugated-Boxes-25-Bundle-161212-/product_411797

 

You'll need 12x12x16 for 10697

http://www.staples.com/12-x12-x16-Partners-Brand-Corrugated-Boxes-25-Bundle-121216-/product_557453

12x12x12 isn't tall enough.

 

6 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

He'll need 12x12x16

http://www.staples.com/12-x12-x16-Partners-Brand-Corrugated-Boxes-25-Bundle-121216-/product_557453

 

well mines cheaper.

5 minutes ago, pstebbing said:

well mines cheaper.

I was just going to point that out.  The second link in your post above will work.