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.

Yep, I have a $10 off $20 lying on my desk ...

I've never received anything that good.

2 minutes ago, dcdfan said:

I've never received anything that good.

On 5/3/2017 at 0:05 AM, Sfcommando14 said:

If you know someone who sells LuLaRoe, they receive their inventory in double-walled boxes.  The dimensions are 20x16x14 and 20x16x10.  Free double-walled boxes!

The larger fits multiples of everything smaller than the $100+ sets quite well for FBA purposes.

This stuff is not free.  The crap inside adds up.  Source: My checkbook.

23 minutes ago, LegoMan1212 said:

This stuff is not free.  The crap inside adds up.  Source: My checkbook.

LOL! My wife sells it and I completely understand!  But if you can get the boxes without sending your spouse to pick it up, you'll be much better off

Hey everyone, I need a little help from you shipping pros out there. I only need about two dozen shipping boxes, a dozen in the 24 x 20 x 6 range and a dozen in the 24 x 16 x 4 range. For such a small quantity, what's the best way to obtain them? Any brick and mortar stores that carry them? Or better to buy online? Shipping charges from online stores seem to be cost-prohibitive. Would love some help. Thanks!

4 minutes ago, mfortunek said:

Hey everyone, I need a little help from you shipping pros out there. I only need about two dozen shipping boxes, a dozen in the 24 x 20 x 6 range and a dozen in the 24 x 16 x 4 range. For such a small quantity, what's the best way to obtain them? Any brick and mortar stores that carry them? Or better to buy online? Shipping charges from online stores seem to be cost-prohibitive. Would love some help. Thanks!

have you looked into Home Depot or Staples? You'll have to settle for sizes other than those listed. (cutting down)

 

 

I needed some shipping boxes and didn't have any Staples coupons, so I just discovered Jet.com is now selling corrugated boxes in all sizes.  I'll let you know how the quality is.

They appear to be different brands, depending on what you're looking for.

I got some from Amazon recently but have not tested the quality yet either. Prices were alright, but a lot more sizes to offer than ordering off staples. I ordered a few different sized boxes around this time last year and staples no longer carries those sizes. What a bummer

12 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

I needed some shipping boxes and didn't have any Staples coupons, so I just discovered Jet.com is now selling corrugated boxes in all sizes.  I'll let you know how the quality is.

They appear to be different brands, depending on what you're looking for.

Came here hoping you were posting about a Staples sale. But this is interesting. Looking forward to your report

On 5/31/2017 at 1:06 PM, minicoopers11 said:

Came here hoping you were posting about a Staples sale. But this is interesting. Looking forward to your report

They arrived in great shape and as advertised.

25 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

They arrived in great shape and as advertised.

Sizes, links, etc, if you have time? No worries if not.

3 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

Sizes, links, etc, if you have time? No worries if not.

Here's a link with many sizes available.
 

Prices look very good. If the quality is decent, I will buy from them instead. Let us know!

Prices look very good. If the quality is decent, I will buy from them instead. Let us know!

Quality looks good on what I received.

BTW, the coupon / discount for Scotch heavy duty packaging tapes is back at Costco.  Best tape for the money.

The Tape at Costco is on sale for a month the sale started Junue 1st you get 8 rolls that cost $5-6 a roll at Walmart and Target thats about $40-50 so at Costco you are paying $15.50 plus tax for the 8 pack. Costco usually has this sale 2-3 times a year.

 

 

 

Edited June 5, 20178 yr by emazers

FYI...

for those with online ebay stores and signed up free email promos, eBay usually sends a free $25 promo each quarter or two that can be applied to tape and other shipping supplied.  i get the 12 rolls of tape since shipping boxes, envelopes, etc...  are usually free via carriers.

the ebay tape might not be as sturdy as the clear scotch shipping tape but 12 big rolls for free is more than enough to apply an extra layer of tape when needed.  free is free.

 

http://stores.ebay.com/ebay-Shipping-Supplies?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

 

BTW, the coupon / discount for Scotch heavy duty packaging tapes is back at Costco.  Best tape for the money.

Better than the free eBay tape?!!?!?! Blasphemy.

kidding aside, while I usually use the scotch HD tape I do find it to not be quite as sticky as other tape.

For those of you in need of some shipping supplies…Office Max/Depot has a 30% off coupon and B1G1 50% select shipping supplies going on.

Coupon Details

30% Off $30 Purchase

30% Off Qualifying Purchase of $30 or More. Excludes Gift or Prepaid Cards, Coffee, Calculators, Seating and Furniture, All Technology, Case Paper, Ink & Toner, Postage Stamps, Value Business Cards, Brother Label Printers and Tape and All Appliances. Minimum Purchase Required is Before Taxes and After Discounts. Limit 1 Coupon Per Customer. Expires 09/09/2017.

Coupon Code

30592498

http://www.officedepot.com/

 

Coupon Details:

B1G1 50% Mailing & Shipping

Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off Select Mailing & Shipping Supplies. Offer Expires 09/30/2017.

Coupon Code

39085946

http://www.officedepot.com/a/coupon/39085946/?cm_sp=office_supplies-_-mailship-bogo50pct-_-clp-top-ad1-3912

Question for people who have shipped large sets. i have a few I-rex sets to ship; size is 22.9 x 14.9 x 3.4 inches each. would you recommend sending each one in a separate box or double up and send two in a box?

5 minutes ago, cardkid said:

Question for people who have shipped large sets. i have a few I-rex sets to ship; size is 22.9 x 14.9 x 3.4 inches each. would you recommend sending each one in a separate box or double up and send two in a box?

Shipped large sets to where, buyers or Amazon?  If you are selling one at at a time, great, use 24x16x4.  If you are selling 2 at a time use 24x16x8 and put a piece of cardboard in between the 2 sets.

I'd just wrap them in loose kraft paper.

10 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

Shipped large sets to where, buyers or Amazon?  If you are selling one at at a time, great, use 24x16x4.  If you are selling 2 at a time use 24x16x8 and put a piece of cardboard in between the 2 sets.

I'd just wrap them in loose kraft paper.

shipping to Amazon. So 24x16x8 seems to be the best option?

Thanks!

Edited August 29, 20178 yr by cardkid
added thanks

9 minutes ago, cardkid said:

shipping to Amazon. So 24x16x8 seems to be the best option?

Thanks!

Yes, unless you want to stick them in a box with other stuff, you can ship in a large Home Depot box 18x18x24.  They are only like a $1.75 each.

27 minutes ago, cardkid said:

Question for people who have shipped large sets. i have a few I-rex sets to ship; size is 22.9 x 14.9 x 3.4 inches each. would you recommend sending each one in a separate box or double up and send two in a box?

i ship irexes  3-4 at a time (if i get lucky) along with some other sets using easy to get Walmart blue top "large 24x 18x18 boxe - i think they are like $1.04 each.  i do not wrap them individually bubble wrap.  i stack them on their side snug and make sure the box has no dead space fully packed with either boxes or bubbles.   

Edited August 29, 20178 yr by cladner

Is there anyplace to buy boxes not by the 20-24 for larger sets (e.g 22x16x4). I've got about 10 to sell but don't necessarily want 15 additional boxes hanging around.

 

thanks!