Question 1

What is a corrugated box made of?

Accepted Answer

A corrugated box is made from corrugated fibreboard - flat sheets called liners sandwiching a wavy fluted layer in the middle. This fluted structure gives the board its stacking strength and cushioning against shocks during transit, unlike plain cardboard which has no internal structure.

Question 2

What is the difference between corrugated board and cardboard?

Accepted Answer

True corrugated board has three or more layers with a fluted medium between flat liners, giving it significant strength. Plain cardboard or chipboard is a single flat sheet with no fluting and far less strength, typically used for cereal boxes or inserts, not shipping.

Question 3

What are corrugated boxes used for?

Accepted Answer

Corrugated boxes are used for e-commerce shipping, FMCG and food product packaging, industrial and electronics component protection, moving and storage, retail secondary packaging, and export packaging.

Question 4

Are corrugated boxes waterproof?

Accepted Answer

Standard corrugated boxes are not waterproof - the kraft paper and fluting will absorb moisture and weaken if exposed to significant water. Water-resistant coatings and wax-laminated boards are available for specific use cases but are not standard.

Question 5

What size corrugated box do I need for my product?

Accepted Answer

Corrugated boxes are measured by internal dimensions - length x width x height. Choose a size that fits your product with minimal empty space to prevent movement and damage in transit. Order samples to test fit before bulk ordering.

Question 6

What is the difference between 3-ply, 5-ply, and 7-ply corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

3-ply (single wall) suits light e-commerce shipments under 5kg. 5-ply (double wall) suits auto parts, electronics, and FMCG master cartons. 7-ply (triple wall) is used for industrial and export-grade heavy shipments. More plies mean more strength and cost.

Question 7

Which flute type should I choose for a corrugated box?

Accepted Answer

C-flute is the most widely used, accounting for roughly 80 percent of shipping boxes, offering a balance of strength and cost. A-flute offers maximum cushioning for fragile items. E-flute and F-flute are micro-flutes ideal for premium retail packaging with sharp printed graphics.

Question 8

What is the minimum order quantity for corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

MOQs vary widely. Pethiyan's current MOQ is 25 pieces per size, among the lowest available in the Indian market. Many manufacturers require 500 to 5,000+ pieces for custom printed boxes.

Question 9

Do corrugated boxes ship pan-India?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most established suppliers including Pethiyan deliver pan-India with standard delivery times of 3-5 business days for in-stock sizes.

Question 10

How are bulk corrugated box orders delivered?

Accepted Answer

Corrugated boxes are typically shipped flat-packed in bundles to save shipping volume and cost, then assembled by the buyer before use. Very large bulk orders may be palletised for freight shipping.

Question 11

Can I track my corrugated box order?

Accepted Answer

Yes, tracking information should be provided by your supplier once the order is dispatched - confirm this is standard practice before ordering from any new supplier.

Question 12

What does GSM mean for corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre, a measure of paper density used for the liner and fluting material. Higher GSM generally means heavier, stronger paper. High-strength corrugated liners often start above 350 GSM.

Question 13

What is ECT rating and why does it matter for corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

ECT (Edge Crush Test) measures how much stacking pressure a corrugated box can withstand when compressed along its edge. Common ECT ratings are 23, 32, and 44, with higher numbers indicating better stacking strength. This differs from the Mullen Burst Test, which measures puncture resistance.

Question 14

Are corrugated boxes recyclable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, corrugated boxes are among the most recyclable packaging materials, with recycling rates over 90 percent in many regions. In India, recycled corrugates already account for over 70 percent of the market's material supply.

Question 15

What is the difference between kraft paper and test liner corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

Kraft liner is made from virgin wood pulp, offering higher strength and a distinctive brown colour. Test liner is made predominantly from recycled fibre, costing less but with slightly lower maximum strength for the same GSM.

Question 16

Can corrugated boxes be used to ship food products?

Accepted Answer

Yes, corrugated boxes are widely used as outer secondary packaging for food products in India - food and beverages is the single largest end-use category for corrugated boxes nationally. Use food-grade primary packaging inside the outer box.

Question 17

Are corrugated boxes safe for shipping electronics?

Accepted Answer

Yes, corrugated boxes are the standard packaging for electronics shipping in India, typically in double-wall (5-ply) configurations for added cushioning. Adding foam inserts or corrugated dividers further protects delicate components.

Question 18

How should I store flat-packed corrugated boxes before use?

Accepted Answer

Store in a cool, dry, covered area away from direct moisture and humidity. Corrugated board absorbs moisture readily, which weakens its structural strength even before use.

Question 19

How do I properly seal a corrugated shipping box?

Accepted Answer

Use a good-quality BOPP or paper packing tape applied in an H-taping pattern, sealing the centre seam plus both edge seams on top and bottom flaps. Avoid thin household tape, which frequently fails in transit.

Question 20

Can corrugated boxes be reused?

Accepted Answer

Yes, corrugated boxes can often be reused for storage or a second shipment if structurally intact, with no crushing, tearing, or water damage. Each reuse reduces the box's remaining stacking and burst strength.

Question 21

What is an RSC or Regular Slotted Container?

Accepted Answer

RSC is the most common corrugated box style, a rectangular box where all four top flaps meet at the centre when closed and all four bottom flaps meet at the centre when closed. It is the standard, cost-efficient box style for most shipping needs.

Question 22

Is Pethiyan a manufacturer or a reseller of corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

PLACEHOLDER - CONFIRM BEFORE PUBLISHING. This answer must accurately reflect Pethiyan's actual business model and has not yet been verified with Pethiyan directly.

Question 23

What is the wholesale price range for corrugated boxes in India?

Accepted Answer

Wholesale corrugated box prices in India typically range from roughly Rs 4 to Rs 30 per piece for standard single-wall e-commerce sizes, depending on dimensions, ply count, and flute type, with heavy-duty double-wall boxes costing more.

Question 24

Do you offer bulk discounts for large orders?

Accepted Answer

PLACEHOLDER - CONFIRM BEFORE PUBLISHING. Current Pethiyan bulk pricing tiers have not yet been verified and must be confirmed before this answer is published.

Question 25

What printing options are available for corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

Common options include flexographic printing (1-2 colours, cost-effective), offset or litho lamination (high-fidelity full-colour graphics for premium D2C unboxing), and digital printing (best for small runs and short lead times).

Question 26

How long does custom printed corrugated box production take?

Accepted Answer

Typical production timelines range from 7-15 business days depending on order volume, print method, and design complexity - confirm current lead times before planning inventory, especially around festive/peak seasons.

Question 27

Can I get my brand logo printed on corrugated boxes at low quantities?

Accepted Answer

Yes, digital printing has made small-batch branded printing far more accessible than traditional flexo or offset methods, which typically require 500-5,000+ pieces to justify setup costs.

Question 28

What is the minimum order quantity for plain unprinted corrugated boxes?

Accepted Answer

Plain corrugated boxes typically have lower MOQs than printed ones - Pethiyan's current MOQ is 25 pieces per size, among the most accessible in the Indian market.

Question 29

How fast can I get corrugated boxes delivered for an urgent order?

Accepted Answer

For in-stock plain boxes, standard delivery is 3-5 business days pan-India. Custom printed orders require production lead time in addition to shipping.

Question 30

What should Meesho, Flipkart, and Amazon sellers know about choosing the right corrugated box?

Accepted Answer

Right-sizing your box to your product reduces both dimensional weight shipping charges and damage-in-transit risk. Sellers should match box ply count and flute type to their product's actual weight and fragility rather than defaulting to the heaviest option.

Corrugated Shipping Boxes India — 33 Sizes, Low MOQ, Built for E-Commerce

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