Guides
Mailer Box vs Shipping Box: Which Does Your Brand Need?
Both boxes are made from corrugated board and both can carry your logo. The difference is how they open, what they cost and how they make your customer feel.
Mailer box
A mailer box is a one-piece box with a tuck-in lid and locking side flaps. It needs no tape, opens like a gift and can be printed inside. It's the box you see in unboxing videos.
- Best for: direct-to-customer orders, subscriptions, gifts and PR kits.
- Price: from $1.15 per box at volume.
Shipping box
A shipping box is the classic flap-top carton that you seal with tape. It uses less board, handles heavier items and costs less per box.
- Best for: heavy products, multi-item orders and wholesale.
- Price: from $1.16 per box at volume.
Side by side
| Mailer box | Shipping box | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Lid lifts like a gift | Cut the tape, open the flaps |
| Tape needed | No | Yes |
| Inside print | Popular | Rare |
| Heavy items | Up to about 2 kg (4–5 lb) in E-flute | Heavier, especially in B-flute |
| Cost | A little more | A little less |
Which should you choose?
If your customer opens the box themselves and you want them to remember it, choose a mailer box. If the box goes to a shop, a warehouse or holds something heavy, choose a shipping box. Many brands use both: mailers for online orders and shipping boxes for wholesale.
See mailer boxes and shipping boxes.