Save Money on Shipping Boxes in Charleston, WV
What you'll get: Learn how to cut shipping costs by 50-70% using quality used boxes, plus find the best local sources in Charleston.
Why Buy Used Shipping Boxes?
You'll save serious money. New boxes cost $2-5 each. Used boxes cost $0.25-0.75 each. That's huge savings for businesses shipping regularly.
Real example: A local Charleston business saved $1,200 last year by switching from new to used boxes for their monthly shipments.
You'll also help the environment. Every used box keeps cardboard out of landfills.
Where to Find Used Boxes in Charleston
Best for Large Orders (50+ boxes)
RePackify
- Box sizes: 18×18×16", 22×14×12"
- Thousands available across WV
- Quote-based pricing
- Charleston area delivery (ZIP 25311)
- Contact: Online ordering system
Best for Small Orders (1-20 boxes)
Moving supply stores
- Standard moving boxes
- TV and wardrobe boxes
- Same-day pickup available
- Located on Patrick Street and South Charleston
- Hours: Usually 7am-7pm weekdays
Shipping stores
- Various box sizes
- Professional packing services
- Located on MacCorkle Ave SE
- Custom packaging options
Nonprofit outlets
- Gently used packing materials
- Very low prices
- Proceeds support local housing
- Location: 301 Piedmont Rd
What You'll Pay
Bulk orders (50+ boxes):
- $0.25-$0.75 per box
- Freight costs extra
- Best value for regular shippers
Small orders (1-20 boxes):
- $1.50-$5.00 per box
- Free shipping over $100
- Good for one-time needs
Industrial boxes:
- $20-$40 per large box
- Best for heavy items
- Volume discounts available
How to Choose the Right Boxes
Step 1: Check the box condition
Look for:
- No water damage
- No tears or holes
- Corners not crushed
- Bottom flaps intact
Bad example: A Charleston company lost $500 in damaged goods because they used water-damaged boxes.
Step 2: Match box strength to your items
- Light items (clothes, books): Single-wall boxes work fine
- Heavy items (auto parts, tools): Use double or triple-wall boxes
- Fragile items: Choose boxes with extra padding space
Step 3: Calculate total costs
Don't forget:
- Box cost
- Shipping/delivery fees
- Packing materials (tape, bubble wrap)
- Your time to pick up
Money-saving tip: Order 50+ boxes at once. The freight cost per box drops significantly.
Simple Buying Process
Estimate how many boxes you need
- Count your items
- Add 20% extra for mistakes
Contact suppliers for quotes
- Call 2-3 suppliers
- Ask about delivery costs
- Compare total prices
Inspect boxes before paying
- Check for damage
- Test a few boxes with your items
- Make sure they're the right size
Order packing supplies together
- Tape, labels, bubble wrap
- Often cheaper when bundled
- Saves extra delivery costs
Advanced Tips for Regular Shippers
Set up a box rotation system:
- Order boxes monthly
- Store in dry location
- Use oldest boxes first
Track your savings:
- Keep records of box costs
- Compare to new box prices
- Use savings data to justify more orders
Build supplier relationships:
- Work with 2-3 reliable suppliers
- Ask about bulk discounts
- Get priority access to good boxes
Red Flags to Avoid
Don't buy boxes that:
- Smell moldy or musty
- Have previous shipping labels you can't remove
- Are crushed or bent
- Come from unknown suppliers with no references
Real warning: One Charleston business got boxes that collapsed during shipping, costing them $800 in damaged products and unhappy customers.
Bottom Line
Used shipping boxes can cut your costs in half while helping the environment. Start with small orders to test suppliers, then scale up for bigger savings.
For bulk needs, RePackify offers the best selection in Charleston. For small orders, local moving and shipping stores work well.
The key is matching your volume needs to the right supplier type. Large volume buyers save most with bulk suppliers. Small volume buyers do better with local retail options.