How CustomBoxes.io Fixed the Shipping Equation for SMBs
Shipping has always been one of the toughest challenges for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). When we launched CustomBoxes.io, our first mission was simple: make custom-branded boxes affordable — roughly 70% less expensive than other suppliers.
But that was only half of the problem. If shipping costs were eating up nearly 50% of sales, affordable boxes were only part of the solution. So, we decided to fix the shipping box equation for SMBs too. Here’s how we’ve dropped shipping costs from nearly half of sales to under 10% for thousands of small businesses.
1. Better Carrier Leverage
More volume means better rates — plain and simple. By consolidating shipments, we’ve negotiated deeply discounted UPS and FedEx rates that would be out of reach for individual businesses.
2. Higher Profit Per Order
When shipping costs go down, more margin stays in your business. Those extra dollars aren’t just savings — they’re growth capital you can reinvest into ads, inventory, and your team.
3. Dim Weight Optimization
Oversized packaging wastes space and inflates your shipping bill. Our custom-fit packaging solutions optimize dimensional weight, helping you ship smarter and avoid unnecessary charges.
4. Lower Fees, Faster Fulfillment
Fewer surcharges mean fewer surprises. Our optimized carrier relationships and fulfillment network reduce delays and keep orders moving quickly.
5. Ongoing Shipping Subsidies
We continue to absorb some of the cost of shipping to make sure SMBs stay competitive — even if it means we lose money on certain lanes.
6. Strategic Facility Investment
Our new East Coast facility dramatically cuts shipping times and costs for businesses east of the Mississippi, letting us offer faster service at a fraction of the cost.
Real-World Results
What once cost $80 to send 100 boxes from Portland to Miami now costs under $20.
Even more impressive: even though we buy millions of boxes at a time and still pay over 10% of our inbound shipping cost, SMBs using CustomBoxes.io are getting shipping under 10% of their sale price. That’s a deal we can’t even get at our scale — and we’re thrilled to pass that advantage to you.
ROI That Actually Moves the Needle
Let’s put the numbers into perspective.
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Blank Boxes ROI: Negative $1,250 per $250,000 in annual sales (you can’t make up for the shipping cost).
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Custom Shipping Boxes ROI: Over $10,000 per $250,000 in annual sales — even on the low end.
This is the kind of ROI that fuels growth, helps you stay competitive, and turns your shipping box into a profit driver — not just a cost center.
Every Dollar Matters
For SMBs, every percentage point matters. Lowering shipping costs puts more money back into your business and accelerates growth. Pair that with the lowest-priced custom boxes in the industry, and you have a combination that keeps your bottom line strong.
Ready to see your numbers?
Calculate Your ROI Today →
Blank boxes return zero ROI, but smarter custom packaging unlocks measurable savings that grow with your business.