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.

Anyone in the US found any good deals on boxes?

54 minutes ago, Batman720 said:

Anyone in the US found any good deals on boxes?

I get them on EBay when they run 15% off coupons.

I get them on EBay when they run 15% off coupons.

Thank you

4 hours ago, Rog said:

Got links to these? Searching 600x400 or even just 600 gives no results.

Cheers.

https://www.staples.co.uk/single-wall-boxes/cbs/297871644.html

Copy & Paste url above as linking on it take you to the main page.

Edited November 23, 20187 yr by MoHu

18 hours ago, MoHu said:

https://www.staples.co.uk/single-wall-boxes/cbs/297871644.html

Copy & Paste url above as linking on it take you to the main page.

Beautiful, cheers! 10% TCB as well, bargain.

With Staples you can also stack other vouchers (eg. Vouchercloud) and still get the TCB. They also send you more codes once you've ordered. Simply the best value IMHO.

I also now get free double-walled boxes (approx. small parcel max.) from a few local petshops and vets. They are the ones that have 84 sachets of Whiskas cat food that my Tabby happens to like!

For those that use UPS, help me with what I'm missing. Compared to FedEx or USPS, UPS rates seem to be almost double. For small packages, or large packages, they aren't even in the ballpark.

Is it my location in the middle of the country that is a factor, or is it me being stupid and missing something obvious that's the factor?

UPS would be much more convenient, but not at their premium.

54 minutes ago, iahawks550 said:

For those that use UPS, help me with what I'm missing. Compared to FedEx or USPS, UPS rates seem to be almost double. For small packages, or large packages, they aren't even in the ballpark.

Is it my location in the middle of the country that is a factor, or is it me being stupid and missing something obvious that's the factor?

UPS would be much more convenient, but not at their premium.

Did you sign up for a business account? Are you looking at their retail rates? I don't use UPS often, well at all (unless buyer provides the labels), but when I've checked before, it's been slightly more, not double. Could be a quirk, given the particular dimensions and weight of one package, I guess.

I am probably just looking a their retail rates, which would explain the difference. I'm basically going to their website and getting shipping cost estimates. I suppose I should look into a business account.

7 minutes ago, iahawks550 said:

I am probably just looking a their retail rates, which would explain the difference. I'm basically going to their website and getting shipping cost estimates. I suppose I should look into a business account.

FedEx and UPS are always going at it so if you are comparing retail rates they should not be that different.

USPS to FedEx/UPS is not really a fair comparison so I'd expect some discrepancy there.

I would definitely open up a business account.  Some business credit cards offer some type of discounted rate offer (Amex, I think?), and those credit cards sometimes offer double or triple miles if miles is your thing.

40 minutes ago, ichiroll said:

FedEx and UPS are always going at it so if you are comparing retail rates they should not be that different.

USPS to FedEx/UPS is not really a fair comparison so I'd expect some discrepancy there.

I would definitely open up a business account.  Some business credit cards offer some type of discounted rate offer (Amex, I think?), and those credit cards sometimes offer double or triple miles if miles is your thing.

Right, that's not really my point. It was really, are you comparing FedEx business rate to UPS retail rate? Maybe that's it, maybe its not.

7 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

Right, that's not really my point. It was really, are you comparing FedEx business rate to UPS retail rate? Maybe that's it, maybe its not.

yup i agree, I was adding that the rates should not be different.

Also just responding to iahawks comment about opening up a business account.

 

8 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

Right, that's not really my point. It was really, are you comparing FedEx business rate to UPS retail rate? Maybe that's it, maybe its not.

I was comparing the Ebay shipping rate (FedEx and USPS) with the UPS rate they quote on their website. I guess that's the retail rate.

 

11 minutes ago, iahawks550 said:

I was comparing the Ebay shipping rate (FedEx and USPS) with the UPS rate they quote on their website. I guess that's the retail rate.

I believe the eBay rate is slightly discounted

10 minutes ago, ichiroll said:

 

I believe the eBay rate is slightly discounted

Correct. ebay offers between 15-25% off shipping. PayPal also offers discounted shipping which you can calculate from http://www.paypal.com/shipnow once you're logged in. So comparing those rates to the shipper websites' general prices isn't apples to apples.

 

This is a really helpful article! 

I was interested in knowing what the average size of a lego set was. And I couldn't find any answer on the internet!! So I took matters into my own hands, and I found the answer! 

And here it is... 13.69 x 9.42 x 3.24. I took ten sets, five of LEGO's biggest sets, and five of their smallest sets. I will probably do 100 sets to get a more accurate answer. But that's it! 

So I suppose that if you buy a box around the 13.69 x 9.42 x 3.24 mark, it should fit. But I still look at what the sizes of the sets I order, and get the box to fit them. 

But I just wanted an idea of the average set size. 

So, I am new to all of this and have just started selling sets this past holiday season. My biggest issue so far has been finding the right size boxes for shipping. I would like to get box sizes that could fit a variety of sets, but I don't want 20 stacks of different sized boxes laying around my house. So what I am asking is, if there are like 3-4 different box sizes that I should purchase that will fit the majority of the sets? I tried looking back through this thread and in the general shipping thread and couldn't find anything, sorry if this has been discussed before.

23 minutes ago, Shortbus311 said:

So, I am new to all of this and have just started selling sets this past holiday season. My biggest issue so far has been finding the right size boxes for shipping. I would like to get box sizes that could fit a variety of sets, but I don't want 20 stacks of different sized boxes laying around my house. So what I am asking is, if there are like 3-4 different box sizes that I should purchase that will fit the majority of the sets? I tried looking back through this thread and in the general shipping thread and couldn't find anything, sorry if this has been discussed before.

majority of all your small to mid size sets will fit in 6x6x4 8x6x4 12x9x4  12x12x4 14x8x4 15x15x4 16x12x4

your mid to large sets fit in the following

20x12x4 20x16x4 20x15x6 24x16x4 24x16x6 24x20x4 24x20x6 and 24x20x8

now as you can see on the larger ones you can go with the bigger and eliminate some but if you get an opposite coaster you will pay for it dearly in the dim weight.  Like 2 or 3 of those could almost pay for your pack of boxes of the smaller size.

those sizes pretty much knock out every LEGO configuration though.   The 15x15x4 isn't used that much and that one you could just go with the 20x16x4 as there is no dim difference on that.

Same with the 20x16x4, that could do the 20x12x4 which is a common one.  Only advantage to have both in that case is if the smaller keeps it under another pound which saves you $1-3 per package depending on zone.

There's a few others like 12x6x3 that fits the pullback technic sets and keeps them under a pound so they can go first class.  That can be a $2-6 savings right there if going to farthest zone from the difference of 16oz and 2lb priority.  

So it is really important to study rates, dim, zones as well and know what you are shipping and volume.  A lot of people make comments about box costs but having the right box in a situation can save and pay for many other boxes.

 

Edited January 4, 20197 yr by ravenb99

Co-sign raven's post. I'd add a few things.

Check the first post in the thread for examples of sets that fit different boxes. Compare the sets you've bought/intend to buy against that list. Then get an assortment of boxes that cover most of your needs.

If you're comfortable with the risk from the flimsier construction, order some of the free USPS Priority boxes. They're especially useful for sub-15" long sets that are over 16oz packed.

If you've got sub 10" sets and time, just make your own boxes from bigger boxes that you wouldn't otherwise reuse.

The biggest PITA sets are the 18x12xX and 24x12xX. Also the taller sets like Architecture Studio and Classic boxes like 10704.

Lastly, you also have to consider whether you're going to be fulfilling multi-set orders that require deeper shipping boxes.

 

 

 

man thanks to poster I pulled my uline report,  that made me sad...

After this Christmas season I noticed a clear and significant difference in shipping costs between a box that has a dimension of 24 x 14 x 6 and 23 x 14 x 6 when shipping priority. I try to reuse as many amazon boxes as possible and what Im finding is their boxes are 23 in L not 24............ Has anyone else noticed this trend recently?

After this Christmas season I noticed a clear and significant difference in shipping costs between a box that has a dimension of 24 x 14 x 6 and 23 x 14 x 6 when shipping priority. I try to reuse as many amazon boxes as possible and what Im finding is their boxes are 23 in L not 24............ Has anyone else noticed this trend recently?

6” tall is what’s causing most of the jump in shipping. The next time you ship, change it to 4” or 5” and you will see a big difference. 23” or 24” L isn’t causing the trouble in my experience.

4 minutes ago, Batman720 said:

6” tall is what’s causing most of the jump in shipping. The next time you ship, change it to 4” or 5” and you will see a big difference. 23” or 24” L isn’t causing the trouble in my experience.

Exactly my experience 

On 1/3/2019 at 9:05 PM, mizeur said:

Co-sign raven's post. I'd add a few things.

Check the first post in the thread for examples of sets that fit different boxes. Compare the sets you've bought/intend to buy against that list. Then get an assortment of boxes that cover most of your needs.

If you're comfortable with the risk from the flimsier construction, order some of the free USPS Priority boxes. They're especially useful for sub-15" long sets that are over 16oz packed.

If you've got sub 10" sets and time, just make your own boxes from bigger boxes that you wouldn't otherwise reuse.

The biggest PITA sets are the 18x12xX and 24x12xX. Also the taller sets like Architecture Studio and Classic boxes like 10704.

Lastly, you also have to consider whether you're going to be fulfilling multi-set orders that require deeper shipping boxes.

 

This is really good advice.  I have been recipient of 15 x 10.3 x 2.8 sets (very common size LEGO box) squeezed into 15.3 x 12.4 x 3 inch Priority boxes and, while they fit, they do not hold up well during transit.  I'd only go down this path if you're selling an already damaged box.  

This is really good advice.  I have been recipient of 15 x 10.3 x 2.8 sets (very common size LEGO box) squeezed into 15.3 x 12.4 x 3 inch Priority boxes and, while they fit, they do not hold up well during transit.  I'd only go down this path if you're selling an already damaged box.  

Then it's not packaged properly if it's getting damaged in a sturdy PM USPS box.
Remember air space is your enemy.

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