Air Cargo E Container in Boston
July 31, 2014 2:16 PM Subscribe
Where can I find large and sturdy corrugated shipping boxes in the Boston area?
I need some large shipping boxes – something like this would be ideal – that I can pick up in the Boston-Cambridge area. I've considered ordering the linked boxes from Uline, but the smallest number they'll sell is five (I only need two or three), and then there's another $100 or so for freight shipping (since they're too large to ship by UPS). $200 for some shipping boxes seems like a bit much. None of the boxes available from places like U-Haul or the UPS Store seem to be the size we need. Since the linked boxes seem to be a standard size (air cargo E containers), I would expect them to be available somewhere in the Boston area, but the googles have not been helpful. I know this is a bit specific, but there must be somewhere around here to buy boxes of this sort. Does anyone have any leads?
I need some large shipping boxes – something like this would be ideal – that I can pick up in the Boston-Cambridge area. I've considered ordering the linked boxes from Uline, but the smallest number they'll sell is five (I only need two or three), and then there's another $100 or so for freight shipping (since they're too large to ship by UPS). $200 for some shipping boxes seems like a bit much. None of the boxes available from places like U-Haul or the UPS Store seem to be the size we need. Since the linked boxes seem to be a standard size (air cargo E containers), I would expect them to be available somewhere in the Boston area, but the googles have not been helpful. I know this is a bit specific, but there must be somewhere around here to buy boxes of this sort. Does anyone have any leads?
Have you checked with moving companies? When I moved out of MA, the local Allied franchise (in Clinton, MA) let me pick up as many used boxes as I wanted from their warehouse for free. I'm not sure they have them that large, and I'm not sure if they only give them away to customers already paying for their moving services.
posted by tckma at 2:27 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by tckma at 2:27 PM on July 31, 2014
Another idea:
Global Pack Ship – Packing, Shipping, Mailing - they do fine art, antiques and furniture so they'd probably have a good idea of what to do.
posted by barnone at 2:28 PM on July 31, 2014
Global Pack Ship – Packing, Shipping, Mailing - they do fine art, antiques and furniture so they'd probably have a good idea of what to do.
posted by barnone at 2:28 PM on July 31, 2014
Check with a florist. Some will have boxes that size that vases come in.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 2:32 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 2:32 PM on July 31, 2014
Give these guys a call: http://www.bostonpackaging.com
Sounds like they may have what you need.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:33 PM on July 31, 2014
Sounds like they may have what you need.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:33 PM on July 31, 2014
Nevermind, sounds like they focus on smaller & more retail driven packaging. Sorry.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:40 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by mollymayhem at 2:40 PM on July 31, 2014
I would check with Home Depot for boxes. I purchased all sorts of sturdy boxes from them when I moved.
posted by 724A at 3:45 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by 724A at 3:45 PM on July 31, 2014
Response by poster: That size is actually pretty close to ideal. This is, in fact, for air freight. We have one item that's about 33x22x25 that needs to fit in the box, and two of the dimensions need to be under 30" (apparently to fit through the x-ray machine). The box strength (double-wall 275 pound test) is also good. I don't mind paying for the boxes, but I'm hoping for closer to $50 than $200.
posted by klausness at 4:16 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by klausness at 4:16 PM on July 31, 2014
Give these guys a call: http://www.bostonpackaging.com
Sounds like they may have what you need.
I'd grind through the yellow pages/google maps for cardboard boxes/moving supplies in your area, and then use the actual phone. (Many of the shops aren't web 1.0, let alone web 2.0.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:38 PM on July 31, 2014
Sounds like they may have what you need.
I'd grind through the yellow pages/google maps for cardboard boxes/moving supplies in your area, and then use the actual phone. (Many of the shops aren't web 1.0, let alone web 2.0.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:38 PM on July 31, 2014
Best answer: Can you get to Everett or Watertown? Grainger sells your box for $25.40/ea and claims you could pick them up on Wednesday.
posted by Talk To Me Goose at 6:07 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by Talk To Me Goose at 6:07 PM on July 31, 2014
Response by poster: Grainger sounds promising, and I could get to Watertown fairly easily. Thanks, Talk To Me Goose, I'll look into that.
posted by klausness at 7:15 PM on July 31, 2014
posted by klausness at 7:15 PM on July 31, 2014
Response by poster: Just picked up the boxes from the local Grainger location. I was afraid that this question would be a bit too specific for As Metafilter, but thanks to Talk To Me Goose, I got the answer I needed.
posted by klausness at 5:06 PM on August 13, 2014
posted by klausness at 5:06 PM on August 13, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd contact an appliance store or furniture store and ask if they have extra large boxes you could have. I live near a Rent-a-center that seems to dispose of gigantic boxes fairly frequently. I'd imagine AAA Appliances in JP or Yale Appliances might be have something too. People also give away boxes on Craigslist - maybe an appliance box would work from there?.
This guy is giving away free wood shipping boxes too.
posted by barnone at 2:23 PM on July 31, 2014