Mailer or box? Use a mailer when the item is flat, flexible, light, and unlikely to crush — mailers cost less to ship because they reduce dimensional weight and pack denser per pallet. Use a box when the item is rigid, fragile, high-value, irregularly shaped, or needs void fill for six-sided protection. Answer the five questions below and the selector routes you to the cheaper safe format.
Mailers cost less to ship and store, but boxes protect rigid or fragile items better. Answer five quick questions and we'll point to the cheaper safe option.
Recommended format
Poly mailer
Lowest shipping cost for soft, non-fragile items.
Soft, light items rarely need a box. A poly mailer reduces DIM weight and packaging cost.