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.

I just use the free blank sticker sheets from UPS. They're 8.5x11, 2 labels per sheet. They say "For UPS use only" on the edges but that's easily marked over or cut off.
I also always put tape over the tracking code/bars. Keeps them safe from water/rain/liquid smearing vital information. I've never had a problem.

7 hours ago, g3man said:

I can't tell from the image on their website -- do these envelopes show "FedEx" on them after inserting your own label? I usually ship by USPS or UPS... but free is free...

They say FedEx on the inside, but I usually fold the paper in half before inserting, so it's mostly covered. It's FedEx colors, so there's not much doubt who the company is.

But, I've never had anyone say anything about it, and not sure why they would.

22 hours ago, MotorCityMuscle said:

i have the darnedest time navigating their online store. i can walk right in to the store and get medium and large boxes, but I cannot seem to find them online. any insight?

Search "shipping box" and then at the right side of the window, you will see a list of options, including heigh, width and length. It's very user-friendly to me. In comparison, Amazon makes it hard to find the boxes with the right dimensions.

And I would say the price at staples is very competitive compared with those I have used, including Amazon, Homedepot and our local box stores. The shipping is super fast as well. I can get it within 2 days most of times.  

36 minutes ago, joesnow2005 said:

Search "shipping box" and then at the right side of the window, you will see a list of options, including heigh, width and length. It's very user-friendly to me. In comparison, Amazon makes it hard to find the boxes with the right dimensions.

And I would say the price at staples is very competitive compared with those I have used, including Amazon, Homedepot and our local box stores. The shipping is super fast as well. I can get it within 2 days most of times.  

thanks! what are some of the more common sized boxes? for example, I find the "large" size good for modulars and such. i can cut them down if needed.

also, last time i was in-store the clerk told me there was a threshold, maybe it was 10 boxes or something, and then after that the price came way down. does this reflect online as well?

1 minute ago, MotorCityMuscle said:

thanks! what are some of the more common sized boxes? for example, I find the "large" size good for modulars and such. i can cut them down if needed.

also, last time i was in-store the clerk told me there was a threshold, maybe it was 10 boxes or something, and then after that the price came way down. does this reflect online as well?

We have a thread for that:

 

Can we please move this discussion to the thread it belongs in? Tired of getting notifications about shipping box questions.

My stash of boxes includes:

26 x 26 x 8 for the really big sets like Helicarrier and those thicker than 6 inches deep. 

Most of my big boxes for sets like the modulars are 26 x 20 x 6

For med size sets I have 22 x 16 x 4 and 20 x 16 x 4

Smaller sets 16 x 12 x 4 and 11 x 8 x 4 (great for many architecture sets)

And 6 x 6 x 3 and 6 x 6 x 6 for smaller ones like brickheads

 

Those are the boxes I keep in stock. Main ones are 26 x 20 x 6, 20 x 16 x 4, 16 x 12 x 4 and 11 x 8 x 4

Where you buy your 11x8x4?

Quote

 

 

17 minutes ago, thelovemachine said:

Where you buy your 11x8x4?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Aviditi-1184R-Corrugated-Length-Height/dp/B00BT5FUUA/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=11+x+8+x+4+cardboard+boxes&qid=1588092432&sr=8-2

49 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

We have a thread for that:

 

ha, thanks! i'm in there too. getting them mixed up.

11 minutes ago, Gonkalin said:

https://www.amazon.com/Aviditi-1184R-Corrugated-Length-Height/dp/B00BT5FUUA/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=11+x+8+x+4+cardboard+boxes&qid=1588092432&sr=8-2

Thanks!!

On 4/27/2020 at 2:56 PM, iahawks550 said:

I get free "pocket" stickers from FedEx to house my paper I print out. It ends up being easier than taping the labels to boxes. 

 If you dont mind, what product is this specifically?  I've looked through the FedEx shipping materials and cant seem to locate it.

1 hour ago, zaphoid said:

 If you dont mind, what product is this specifically?  I've looked through the FedEx shipping materials and cant seem to locate it.

Log in to your account and go to this address: https://www.fedex.com/ordersupplies/wols.do

Scroll down to "Airbill" and it is item 158396 (FedEx Small Pouch)

7 hours ago, g3man said:

Log in to your account and go to this address: https://www.fedex.com/ordersupplies/wols.do

Scroll down to "Airbill" and it is item 158396 (FedEx Small Pouch)

Thank you, anything else that I "should" be using from FedEx?

So I went to printout a shipping label via paypal a couple of minutes ago.  Apparently you have to have your bank account linked to your paypal account in order to ship?  How new is this? My paypal account is funded through my credit card.  I don't want paypal being linked to my bank. 

So whats everyone using for tape?  I've been using Scotch Heavy Duty 2", but it doesn't always stick as well as I'd like.

Edited May 2, 20205 yr by zaphoid

So whats everyone using for tape?  I've been using Scotch Heavy Duty 2", but it doesn't always stick as well as I'd like.

I use duck heavy duty 2". Works great for me.

for anyone who tends to frequent staples, do you have a handful of boxes you use the most? looking for a few sizes to have on had. like their in-store "Large" box works well for many larger sets. and has the cut down lines to reduce the height if necessary. but wondering if they also have a medium or small that might work well for other sets? anything else?

6 minutes ago, MotorCityMuscle said:

for anyone who tends to frequent staples, do you have a handful of boxes you use the most? looking for a few sizes to have on had. like their in-store "Large" box works well for many larger sets. and has the cut down lines to reduce the height if necessary. but wondering if they also have a medium or small that might work well for other sets? anything else?

My go-to box has been their medium rectangle box 16x12x10. But I typically purchase sets for my inventory that can fit into that size. Occasionally, I buy larger sets if I feel they are worth it and I'll go for their "large" boxes but the medium rectangle fit my needs best.

 

20 minutes ago, MrToes16 said:

My go-to box has been their medium rectangle box 16x12x10. But I typically purchase sets for my inventory that can fit into that size. Occasionally, I buy larger sets if I feel they are worth it and I'll go for their "large" boxes but the medium rectangle fit my needs best.

 

so what sorts of sets fit in this box?

1 hour ago, MotorCityMuscle said:

so what sorts of sets fit in this box?

I’ve fit medium sized sets like 21313 Ship in a Bottle or 21030 US Capital Building perfectly with just enough room to spare for bubble wrap and without leaving the box too big which adds cost to ship. I’ve also done bundles of Xmas promo gifts that can a few at once comfortably.

7 minutes ago, MrToes16 said:

I’ve fit medium sized sets like 21313 Ship in a Bottle or 21030 US Capital Building perfectly with just enough room to spare for bubble wrap and without leaving the box too big which adds cost to ship. I’ve also done bundles of Xmas promo gifts that can a few at once comfortably.

appreciate it. 

On 5/2/2020 at 8:46 AM, zaphoid said:

So whats everyone using for tape?  I've been using Scotch Heavy Duty 2", but it doesn't always stick as well as I'd like.

I hate heavy duty tape, I use this or similar.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372801986404
I also would never ship anything in a 16x12x10 box.

On 5/2/2020 at 7:46 AM, zaphoid said:

So whats everyone using for tape?  I've been using Scotch Heavy Duty 2", but it doesn't always stick as well as I'd like.

Same here.  I stock up when Costco has $7 off coupon.  I use these on small boxes and big boxes to ship my FBA inventory.  No complaints so far. 

Although right now I am trying the generic Staples brand. (I added one to hit $60 for the coupon). They are not as good or as sticky.  Definitely NOT recommended to use on modular sized boxes or bigger

Where do you buy large bubble wrap like this and what you commonly use for shipping

Idk what size is that but prob 1”1/4

 

https://www.foambubble.com/what-size-bubble-wrap-do-i-need