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.

Just now, joesnow2005 said:

I developed a new hobby of rolling up old Kraft paper while watching TV. Saved a lot of space. All airbags go except one box just in case I need them.

I keep a box of airbags too, but I’ve had that same box full for a long time.

why air bag has no love? I always use airbag

why air bag has no love? I always use airbag

Airbags have no give. If there is a force on the side of the box the airbag will almost completely transfer the force to the set.

Crumpled kraft paper has the ability to "squish" and absorbs more of the impact. Even Lego has stopped shipping with airbags and switched to kraft paper.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

10 hours ago, Brystheguy said:

My airbags are taking up a lot of space in my store room and my wife perceives this as me having more LEGO than I actually do. What packing paper does everyone use! Plain old Kraft paper? Something else? Might be nice to have a filler option that’s smaller than all the airbags I have.

I go to my local newspaper and ask for their end rolls.  These are the remnants of their huge paper rolls and they usually sell them for $1 each.  Don't let the size below fool you.  Basically, a small roll is equivalent to a couple hundred newspapers (minus the print.)

$3-4 worth lasts a real long time.

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by raindog

8 minutes ago, Shortbus311 said:

Airbags have no give. If there is a force on the side of the box the airbag will almost completely transfer the force to the set.

Crumpled kraft paper has the ability to "squish" and absorbs more of the impact. Even Lego has stopped shipping with airbags and switched to kraft paper.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
 

i used air pillow bags for a decade without issues .  as long as you right size your box and pay attention to details both work equally well for me.   when you are packing the same thing 20x it is  quicker to measure out the same number of cells for each box then crumpling up the paper just the right way x20 but in the last year i switched to kraft paper and have had zero issues with damage .  the paper takes up much less space , more price efficient, biodegradable.

I actually have an air bag maker. It's great but, as have been said, you don't want to over pack it. I've never had any issues with damage because of air pillows that I've been made aware of.

I try to reuse all the packing materials and boxes I get but have always gotten rid of so much due to excess amount. I use paper as long as it does not tip the weight of the package to higher shipping cost otherwise air bag is used. I've also gotten pretty good at re-sizing boxes to minimize cost. No complaints so far.

I may try to roll up the paper to save space. I was just folding them. Thanks for the idea.

 

 

45 minutes ago, Gonkalin said:

I actually have an air bag maker. It's great but, as have been said, you don't want to over pack it. I've never had any issues with damage because of air pillows that I've been made aware of.

What machine do you have? Was contemplating getting one years back but found that it was expensive (in UK was around £3-400 when I checked years ago).

Yes, that is what I paid. But I do enough volume to justify the expense. And I also figured that I can sell it used and get half my money back (or more). I paid around $400. I have the  Mini Air Easi Air Pillow Maker

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY70RYG/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

It's currently showing as not available.

 

 

4 hours ago, cladner said:

i used air pillow bags for a decade without issues .  as long as you right size your box and pay attention to details both work equally well for me.   when you are packing the same thing 20x it is  quicker to measure out the same number of cells for each box then crumpling up the paper just the right way x20 but in the last year i switched to kraft paper and have had zero issues with damage .  the paper takes up much less space , more price efficient, biodegradable.

Second that.
LEGO stopped using air pillows b/c they were over inflated and placed on top of the items which would bulge the box and crush the contents. (Lots of complaints and returns.)

I reuse air pillows b/c I have them. They come in handy along the sides of sets but I also combine that with paper.

Lots of opinions about packing methods on here.

Avoid airspace on top of sets, but utilize it on the sides.

Anyone know where to get some 24x20x6 boxes (or slightly bigger) without having to buy 20+ at a time?  I only need 3-4, and probably will never need any more after that.  I checked the local Staples since I know they sell singles, but the closest was something like 24x16x6.  And I have a ton of LEGO-branded shipping boxes that are close, but just a half inch or so too short.

Edited December 12, 20214 yr by I am Niko

20 minutes ago, I am Niko said:

Anyone know where to get some 24x20x6 boxes (or slightly bigger) without having to buy 20+ at a time?  I only need 3-4, and probably will never need any more after that.  I checked the local Staples since I know they sell singles, but the closest was something like 24x16x6.  And I have a ton of LEGO-branded shipping boxes that are close, but just a half inch or so too short.

I would use the extra large box from Homedepot (24x20x21) 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-24-in-L-x-20-in-W-x-21-in-D-Extra-Large-Moving-Box-with-Handles-XLBX/316235468

You can then resize it to 24x20x6 by either cutting the extra height off the box or keep them to make a better cushion. 

 

6 minutes ago, joesnow2005 said:

I would use the extra large box from Homedepot (24x20x21) 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-24-in-L-x-20-in-W-x-21-in-D-Extra-Large-Moving-Box-with-Handles-XLBX/316235468

You can then resize it to 24x20x6 by either cutting the extra height off the box or keep them to make a better cushion. 

 

Completely forgot about the hardware stores.  Thank you!

Where is everyone ordering shipping boxes these days?  Need some for bonsai 16x12x4 and Assembly Square. I usually wait until Staples has a sale/coupon to buy 50 or so boxes. Is that still a good strategy? 

29 minutes ago, jgschmieg3 said:

Where is everyone ordering shipping boxes these days?  Need some for bonsai 16x12x4 and Assembly Square. I usually wait until Staples has a sale/coupon to buy 50 or so boxes. Is that still a good strategy? 

Walmart, Staples, Home Depot, Uhaul . . .  Uline for popular sizes.  Find the size you want and then find a similar size at a better price point.

On 11/7/2021 at 7:54 PM, joesnow2005 said:

I developed a new hobby of rolling up old Kraft paper while watching TV. Saved a lot of space. All airbags go except one box just in case I need them.

Ha, nice idea.  Probably better than my 7' wall of paper.

37 minutes ago, gmpirate said:

Ha, nice idea.  Probably better than my 7' wall of paper.

Easier to store when folded than rolled, IMO. 

Also, air bags all the way. Especially on less than 1 pound, when the weight of kraft paper can get you over  

23 minutes ago, Darth_Raichu said:

Easier to store when folded than rolled, IMO. 

Also, air bags all the way. Especially on less than 1 pound, when the weight of kraft paper can get you over  

Yeah, that's the problem with paper.  Weighs too much.

Some of these new 2022 sets are in “skinny” boxes like the Creator Tiger. They actually look weird on the shelf. I can’t wait to see the POBB rerelease in a skinny box. 

just noticed uline increased their prices on boxes. not sure if it was about 10% across the board but my cart just jumped 10% from yesterday.  

1 hour ago, joch29 said:

just noticed uline increased their prices on boxes. not sure if it was about 10% across the board but my cart just jumped 10% from yesterday.  

I’ve noticed boxes have gone up everywhere since October.

 

Not sure if this has been posted but Rakuten is 10% at Staples as well

 

Staples code for today only (as in 3/17)

 

A few observations:

1. Most of my go to boxes are out of stock

2. The ones in stock gave me quite a sticker shock.  The 16x12x4 was $19.42 in 11/2020 and now it is $32.49.  That is 70% increase in 14 months 

Any Staples coupons available right now?

I bought a scotch brand tape gun a couple years ago and I've never gotten the hang of it. I've been using the same Duck brand 3" core plastic dispenser for like 12 years. Anyone have a dispenser they swear by? Duck makes a really nice small core one but I've got so much 3" core tape already on hand. Obviously overthinking but that's what I do.