Compare
Postal boxes vs cardboard cartons
Postal boxes are cut to hit Royal Mail size bands; cartons are general shipping boxes. The right choice depends on how you send.
Quick answer
Use postal boxes (often PiP/Large Letter sized) to keep Royal Mail postage in the cheaper band; use cartons for courier parcels, heavier goods and freight.
When to request a quote
Ask for a quote if you post at volume — matching box sizes to postage bands is where most sellers cut cost.
What each option is best for
Postal boxes
Sized to Royal Mail bands (often PiP).
Best for: Cutting Royal Mail postage
- Cut to sit within Large Letter / small parcel limits
- Lower postage for small, flat items
- Great for ecommerce and subscriptions
- Limited to their size band
Cardboard cartons
General shipping boxes in many sizes.
Best for: Courier parcels and heavier goods
- Wide size and strength range
- Single or double wall for weight
- Best for couriers and freight
- Not optimised for Royal Mail bands
Postal boxes vs Cardboard cartons — side by side
Postal boxes
Sized to Royal Mail bands (often PiP).
- Best for
- Cutting Royal Mail postage
- Sized for
- Postage bands
- Best carrier
- Royal Mail
- Weight
- Light items
- Postage saving
- High for small items
Cardboard cartons
General shipping boxes in many sizes.
- Best for
- Courier parcels and heavier goods
- Sized for
- General shipping
- Best carrier
- Courier / freight
- Weight
- Light to heavy
- Postage saving
- Depends on courier
| Postal boxes Sized to Royal Mail bands (often PiP). | Cardboard cartons General shipping boxes in many sizes. | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cutting Royal Mail postage | Courier parcels and heavier goods |
| Sized for | Postage bands | General shipping |
| Best carrier | Royal Mail | Courier / freight |
| Weight | Light items | Light to heavy |
| Postage saving | High for small items | Depends on courier |
| Shop | Postal boxes | Cardboard cartons |
Still deciding between postal boxes vs cardboard cartons?
Tell us what you're packing and your quantities. We'll recommend the right option and price it for your order — sourcing anything we don't stock through our UK supplier network.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a box a 'postal box'?
Related categories & guides
Buying in volume? Get trade pricing.
Tell us what you need — sizes, quantities and how often. We'll send pricing and lead time, and source anything we don't stock through our supplier network.
