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.

1 hour ago, keymomachine said:

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.

I use these without an issue.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWZ9EDP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

This is a little pricey, but it's the best tape gun you'll ever buy.

 

Tach-It EX3 3" Wide Heavy Duty Tape Gun https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9QRXB8

Anyone here have a uline free shipping code that actually works? Maybe a unique one that they don't plan on using before it expires? PM me if you do. I was going to place an order today and thought I'd at least check to see if there are any useful codes out there. Thanks!

2 hours ago, pharmjod said:

Anyone here have a uline free shipping code that actually works? Maybe a unique one that they don't plan on using before it expires? PM me if you do. I was going to place an order today and thought I'd at least check to see if there are any useful codes out there. Thanks!

next one starts 6/10  FVULXR

they only change the 2nd letter on those so can basically go through the alphabet trying them to see,  they'll either say expired or doesn't exist until the next one that is coming up shows up.

Edited May 23, 20223 yr by ravenb99

YMMV, I got email from Staples with a personalized coupon code for $15 off $70 order

Finding boxes that are not OOS on their website is another matter

Holy inflation Batman !!!

8x6x4 boxes from ebayshippingsupplies:

Jan 2020: $48.50 / 100 boxes
May 2021: $51.66 / 100 boxes
November 2022: $68.22 / 100 boxes

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254763801699

Ebay need to increase their shipping supply coupon from $50 off (Premium Store) to at least $65 to cover the price increases 👎

Oh thats why i see a lot of polymailers from retailers can't afford boxes

Figured I’d ask this here.

Does anyone have any recommendations for rolling shelving racks? I have limited space so easy movement of boxed sets is ideal for my setup.

Something like the attached image, just figured I’d fish for a recommendation before diving into amazon. Thanks!




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I have used a bunch of these for about 5 years.  I've never had an issue.  Just be careful to lift the LEGO box off the shelf and don't slide it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385079605428

 

Edited December 16, 20223 yr by raindog

I use this one from Costco when they have it in store for under $100.  They are getting more expensive by the year.  This is only 18" deep so it is too narrow for the $100+ MSRP sets, but not bad for $70ish sets

https://www.costco.com/trinity-6-tier-wire-shelving-rack%2c-48"-x-18"-x-72"-nsf%2c-includes-wheels.product.100412448.html

 

Looks like Costco has 24" deep rack on their website.  These wider racks would probably be harder to maneuver in limited space.   

https://www.costco.com/.product.100143963.html

 

One thing to consider is whatever you put on the shelves are going to shift a bit and even fall down to the floor when you move the rack  This can be minimized by putting the sets in bins instead of directly on shelves, but this also means you won't be able to maximize the space usage for each shelf.

1 hour ago, scatttcat said:

Figured I’d ask this here.

Does anyone have any recommendations for rolling shelving racks? I have limited space so easy movement of boxed sets is ideal for my setup.

Something like the attached image, just figured I’d fish for a recommendation before diving into amazon. Thanks!

I've built myself a pretty functional archival rolling rack system with appliance rollers attached to 48 x 24" boltless shelving. But I love tinkering and doing silly stuff like this. I also keep my sets boxed like this to keep dust off them and protect them from any possible basement moisture.

I'm sure the wire shelving system would work great. I use a big 48 x 18" one from Target as my pantry shelf - very sturdy. They used to sell a wheel kit for theirs that was really nice and way underpriced but it seems like they maybe got wise to that and discontinued it. You can also buy covers for the standard size shelves or cut your own from various materials if you see the need.

 

I have used a bunch of these for about 5 years.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385079605428


 

How does your wife feel about that?



Or are we not talking about the right part of the image?

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31 minutes ago, Phil B said:

How does your wife feel about that?

I've been divorced for almost 25 years.

1 hour ago, Darth_Raichu said:

One thing to consider is whatever you put on the shelves are going to shift a bit and even fall down to the floor when you move the rack 

I've never had that problem.  Medium and large sets, I store on edge.  For <$20 sets, I just lay flat and stack.  

Edited December 16, 20223 yr by raindog

5 hours ago, scatttcat said:

Figured I’d ask this here.

Does anyone have any recommendations for rolling shelving racks? I have limited space so easy movement of boxed sets is ideal for my setup.

Something like the attached image, just figured I’d fish for a recommendation before diving into amazon. Thanks!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-4-Tier-Wire-Shelf-Unit-Black-18-Dx48-W-Capacity-2400-lbs/54876416

Just came across these, seems like it would work nicely, even comes with the casters and shelf covers.

Anyone have a current Uline free shipping code?

Any suggestions on what people are using for Storage-quality tape?  I have been working off a huge stock of Duck HP260, but am about to run out and need to reorder. Looks like the price has gone astronomical since that last bulk order a few years ago. And there appear to be plenty of cheap alternatives out there.
I pack sets in advance of selling them. Some sit for a year or more before they finally ship. Some sets go into deep storage. In both cases, I need a tape that will stay on for the long haul and also survive shipping afterwards. Most tape reviews only focus on the latter.  The HP260 had performed admirably.  Just can’t choke the $40 Amazon wants for 8 rolls now!

I’m curious to hear what people here have found.
Thanks!

13 minutes ago, TheBrickClique said:

Any suggestions on what people are using for Storage-quality tape?  I have been working off a huge stock of Duck HP260, but am about to run out and need to reorder. Looks like the price has gone astronomical since that last bulk order a few years ago. And there appear to be plenty of cheap alternatives out there.
I pack sets in advance of selling them. Some sit for a year or more before they finally ship. Some sets go into deep storage. In both cases, I need a tape that will stay on for the long haul and also survive shipping afterwards. Most tape reviews only focus on the latter.  The HP260 had performed admirably.  Just can’t choke the $40 Amazon wants for 8 rolls now!

I’m curious to hear what people here have found.
Thanks!

I like this stuff and it's comparable to the Staples tape I've always used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QDYN9VR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

After many years, I finally tried these sticker removal tools. Apply some heat and use one of these and they work miracles compared to trying to scrape up a corner with a razor blade.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Peelers-Label-Sticker-Remover/dp/B0068QIQVA/

1 hour ago, exciter1 said:

After many years, I finally tried these sticker removal tools. Apply some heat and use one of these and they work miracles compared to trying to scrape up a corner with a razor blade.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Peelers-Label-Sticker-Remover/dp/B0068QIQVA/

Wow. You really have been living in the 1800s

1 hour ago, ravenb99 said:

Wow. You really have been living in the 1800s

Now I need to find an alternative to shipping stuff in Raisin Bran boxes.

19 minutes ago, exciter1 said:

Now I need to find an alternative to shipping stuff in Raisin Bran boxes.

About 5-6 years ago, I ordered the R2-D2 set 8009 from a guy on eBay.  It shipped in a Captain Crunch box.  Was that you?

6 hours ago, raindog said:

About 5-6 years ago, I ordered the R2-D2 set 8009 from a guy on eBay.  It shipped in a Captain Crunch box.  Was that you?

Sorry about that!

11 hours ago, exciter1 said:

After many years, I finally tried these sticker removal tools. Apply some heat and use one of these and they work miracles compared to trying to scrape up a corner with a razor blade.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Peelers-Label-Sticker-Remover/dp/B0068QIQVA/

Wow, sometimes you think you know the sellers on there.  Who are you?

I sold a set and turns out I do not have a 24x20x6 box. (thought I did)

I ordered some but delivery is not until mid next week.

anyone know a place that sells this size local? (I tried Office max / Depot, Fed Ex, target, and even ace hardware)

or a hack to create one out of other boxes?

thank you all.