The Fold · From the factory floor
What are the different types of shipping boxes?
The main types of shipping boxes are the regular slotted container (RSC), its full overlap and half-slotted variants, the die-cut mailer, the one-piece and five-panel folders, the die-cut tray and the telescoping two-piece box, and the RSC is the standard that most shipments use.
The eight types, side by side
| Type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Regular slotted container (RSC), FEFCO 0201 | The standard shipping box. The flaps meet in the middle, top and bottom. | Shipping and storing almost anything. |
| Full overlap (FOL) | An RSC whose flaps fully overlap, for extra stacking strength. | Heavy or fragile items that need rigidity. |
| Half-slotted container (HSC) | An RSC with one open end, so a box with no top. | Parts bins and items dropped in from the top. |
| Die-cut mailer, FEFCO 0427 | A one-piece mailer with a front tuck lid and side wings. | E-commerce, subscriptions and a clean unboxing. |
| One-piece folder | A flat blank that folds around the product. The book and media mailer. | Books, media and flat printed goods. |
| Five-panel folder, FEFCO 0410 | A wrap-style box that fully encloses long or flat items. | Posters, framed art and long, narrow goods. |
| Die-cut tray, FEFCO 0422 | An open tray folded from one piece. | Produce, displays and retail-ready trays. |
| Telescoping (two-piece) | A separate lid and base that telescope together. | Large or heavy goods that need a strong two-piece box. |
What the FEFCO numbers mean
FEFCO is the European corrugated industry's catalogue of box styles, and each style has a four-digit code. The first two digits give the family: 02 for slotted boxes like the RSC, 04 for folder-style boxes like mailers and trays. Quoting the code, such as 0201 or 0427, gets you exactly the right box from any factory without a long description.
RSC, FOL or HSC?
These three are the same box with small differences. The RSC is the default. The full overlap version has outer flaps that cover the whole top and bottom, which makes it stiffer when boxes are stacked. The half-slotted version has no top flaps at all, which is exactly what you want for something that is dropped in from above and never sealed.
How to choose
- Shipping a general product to a customer: RSC.
- Heavy, fragile or stacked high in a warehouse: full overlap.
- A box people will open and enjoy, such as a subscription: die-cut mailer.
- Books and flat media: one-piece folder.
- Posters, frames or long thin items: five-panel folder.
- Display or produce trays: die-cut tray.
- Big or heavy goods that need a lid that fits over the base: telescoping.
How big or small can a shipping box be?
Corrugated is the most forgiving board for size: TWOFORM designs from 30 mm up to 1200 mm (1.2 to 47.2 in). The floor depends on the type, though. A shipper such as an RSC needs about 100 mm (3.9 in) to work as a shipping box, while a shallow die-cut box such as a small mailer can go down to 30 mm (1.2 in).
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common shipping box?
The regular slotted container (RSC), FEFCO 0201. It is the standard box for shipping and storing almost anything.
What is the difference between an RSC and a full overlap box?
An RSC's flaps meet in the middle. A full overlap box's outer flaps cover the whole top and bottom, which adds stacking strength for heavy or fragile items.
What is a die-cut mailer?
A one-piece corrugated mailer, FEFCO 0427, with a front tuck lid and side wings. It is the box most subscriptions and e-commerce brands use for a clean unboxing.
What does FEFCO 0201 mean?
It is the standard code for the regular slotted container. Quoting the code gets you that exact box from any factory.
What is the smallest shipping box?
A shipper like the RSC needs about 100 mm (3.9 in). A shallow die-cut box can go down to 30 mm (1.2 in).
Ready to try it? Design your own shipping box in TWOFORM. Related reading: how to measure your packaging and what a dieline is.