best source for decent sized trading boxes

I typically use the box-within-a-box approach so reusing the inside box is usually never a problem or just picking up the inside box from your local liquor store too. For the outside box (e.g., 14x14x14) tough to beat 70 cents or whatever at your local Walmart. Tougher to reuse outside boxes as they get beat up pretty good but with enough tape it can likely work You'll probably pay a decent markup getting your boxes at Fedex so I'd recommend Walmart or something similar instead.

 

Ditto on the re-use of boxes. Probably 75% of my trades are boxes that were incoming.

Otherwise, Home Depot has some great small boxes that are double-reinforced or something, think they are 12x12x16. Thick cardboard, very solid, inexpensive. I usually use the medium Home Depot boxes if I need something bigger, but they aren't as thick & only tend to hold up to one or two trips.

 

Staples had 14x12x12 on sale for $1.49 in VT recently, I think the 18x12x12 were $1.99.

 

I just spend the extra coin, and get FedEx boxes.
And try to have a 2nd box surrounded in a plastic bag on the inside of that.

I can usually get by with the 15x15x15 for about $3 each.
They may be a couple dollars more, but I like to look at it as an insurance investment.
As long as the box is packed well, there is no way they're going to mess with a box that carries the FedEx logo.
I've never been hassled or had a box that didn't get delivered.
Really...think about it.

The last resort would be to use a bottle shipper.
They provide great protection, but everyone and their mother knows what is inside a bottle shipper.

 

For short trips, I use the "regular" Duck boxes (14x14x14) from Walmart which are about 68 cents.

For longer trips, I use the "heavy duty" Duck boxes (16x16x15) from Walmart which are about $1.60-ish.

 

60+ shipped trades and I have not yet bought a box. Good to know where if I need to. I have to say though, one of the best ones I've received as a Home Depot box. It just felt really solid. I think my partner in San Diego used that same box with me like twice (3x total and I'm in Philly).

 

I always line the inner box with a garbage bag. Just out of curiosity, (and please forgive me for going a little off topic here) do you just line the outer box with a garbage bag, or line both boxes? It may sound like overkill, but in reading all of the threads about being discovered, it may not be bad idea.
Yes, Walmart is an inexpensive place to grab boxes.

 

I just put a bag around the inner box.
Sorry if I said that wrong.
I think it would look VERY suspicious if you had a bag in the outside the main box.

 

He lines the inside of the inner box, and was thinking if lining the INSIDE if the outer box. And there is no overkill in protecting your bottles.

 

Uline is where I get my boxes. Not the cheapest but I do not want beers to break in transit. The 6 and 12 bottle styro shippers are most excellent.

I also use the 6 bottle wine boxes without styrofoam but I had a beer break in one being shipped to me recently so I'm going to move away from these in the future unless I'm shipping cans. These are perfect for cans as you can stack 2 cans per slot and ship a 12 pack in a small box without having to overwrap them.

 

Second this

 

Walmart... Square boxes. 12 inch/14 inch/16 inch all about $0.60-$0.70 each