August 17 2026
You need boxes, and you need them soon. Maybe you're moving house, or you've got an e-commerce business shipping out orders, or you're starting a small venture that needs packaging. The immediate question is straightforward: where do you actually buy packing boxes in 2026?
Your options feel endless. Pop down to Tesco or Sainsbury’s and grab a handful? Head to B&Q? Search online and choose from ten different retailers? The problem is that packing boxes vary wildly in quality, and prices range from reasonable to frankly absurd depending on where you buy them.
The real challenge is finding the balance between cost, quality, and convenience. You don’t want to skimp and end up with boxes that collapse in transit, but you also don’t want to overpay because you panic-bought from the first place you looked.
This guide walks you through every realistic option for buying packing boxes in the UK. I’ll show you what you’ll actually pay, what quality to expect, and where to look based on your specific situation. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to spend your money and where you’ll just waste it.
Let’s start with the obvious option. You pop into Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, or your local Morrisons and check the moving supplies aisle. Boxes are there, you can have them today, problem solved.
Here’s what you’ll actually find: single-wall corrugated boxes, usually sold in packs of 5 or 10. A pack of 5 medium boxes at Tesco runs around 5-7 pounds. That works out to 1-1.40 pounds per box. Larger boxes (suitable for heavier items) are slightly more, maybe 8-10 pounds for a pack of 5, so 1.60-2 pounds per box.
The appeal is obvious: no delivery wait, no minimum order, you can inspect the boxes before buying. The downsides are less obvious but matter.
Supermarket boxes are single-wall, which means they’re fine for light items but not ideal if you’re moving heavy stuff or shipping products that need serious protection. They’re also usually quite small (roughly 350mm x 250mm x 200mm), which is limiting if you’re packing bulky items. And in my experience, the quality can be inconsistent. Some packs have boxes with dents or creases already.
Also, supermarket supply is unpredictable. If you need 50 boxes and they only have packs of 10, you’re buying 5 packs when you really wanted 4. You end up with more than you need, paying for waste.
The real problem is cost at scale. If you need, say, 100 boxes, supermarket buying gets expensive fast. 100 boxes at 1.30 pounds each (roughly supermarket price) is 130 pounds. That same order from a specialist online supplier might cost 60-80 pounds, delivered.
Supermarkets are your friend if you need a small number of boxes today and you’re not cost-sensitive. Moving house and need 10-15 boxes by tomorrow? Supermarket. Shipping out a small number of orders and don’t want to order online? Fine, go to the supermarket.
But if you’re packing up a house move (you’ll need 50-80 boxes), or you’re running a business that ships regularly, this is a false economy.
B&Q, Screwfix, and similar stores sit in an interesting middle ground. They stock moving boxes that are generally better quality than supermarkets, usually double-wall corrugated cardboard, which means they’re stronger and safer for fragile or heavy items.
A pack of 5 double-wall boxes at B&Q costs roughly 8-12 pounds, so 1.60-2.40 pounds per box. That’s a step up from supermarkets in terms of durability, but you’re paying for it.
The range is better too. B&Q typically stocks small, medium, large, and extra-large boxes, so you can choose what actually fits your items rather than force-fitting everything into a one-size-fits-none supermarket box.
The delivery option is useful if you don’t want to carry heavy boxes home. B&Q offers home delivery (usually a few days), which is faster than online specialists but costs extra, typically 3-5 pounds per order if your basket is under a certain value.
B&Q is worth it if you need better-quality double-wall boxes and you’re not ordering huge numbers. The 50-100 box range is where they’re reasonable. Beyond that, online specialists become more cost-effective.
Also, B&Q is useful if you want to see and feel the boxes before ordering (you can check them in-store), or if you need them within a couple of days and don’t want to pay delivery to a specialist supplier.
For most house moves, though, B&Q isn’t the most cost-effective option. An average house move needs 60-80 boxes. At 2 pounds per box, that’s 120-160 pounds just for boxes. You can do better online.
This is where the real economics start making sense. Online packaging suppliers (there are dozens in the UK) specialise in selling boxes by the box, not by the pack. You can order 50, 100, or 1,000 without awkward pack constraints.
Typical pricing for corrugated packing boxes from online specialists:
Single-wall medium boxes: 0.40-0.70 pounds per box when ordering 50+ Double-wall medium boxes: 0.80-1.20 pounds per box when ordering 50+ Extra-large or specialist sizes: 1-1.80 pounds per box depending on spec
These are wholesale-ish prices because you’re buying from the source rather than through a retail markup. The trade-off is that you have to wait for delivery (usually 3-5 working days) and there might be a minimum order (though many suppliers now offer no minimum, or very low minimums).
Delivery costs are usually 5-10 pounds for a standard delivery, or you might get free delivery on orders over a certain value (say, 50 pounds). So if you’re ordering 100 double-wall boxes at 1 pound each, you’re looking at roughly 105 pounds delivered, or 1.05 pounds per box. Compare that to B&Q at 2.40 pounds per box, and you’re saving more than half.
Let’s walk through an actual scenario. You’re moving a 2-bedroom flat and you reckon you need about 70 boxes.
Supermarket option: 70 boxes at 1.30 pounds each = 91 pounds, collected today. B&Q option: 70 boxes at 2 pounds each = 140 pounds, delivery in 3 days. Online specialist option: 70 double-wall boxes at 0.90 pounds each = 63 pounds, plus 5 pounds delivery = 68 pounds, delivery in 5 days.
You’re saving 23 pounds over B&Q and having better-quality boxes. You’re saving 23 pounds over the supermarket with significantly better boxes. That’s meaningful money when you’re in the middle of a house move.
There are dozens of packing box suppliers online. Here’s what to look for:
Minimum order: ideally none, or very low (10-20 boxes). Some suppliers require 50-minimum, which is fine for bigger orders but annoying if you only need 20 boxes.
Delivery speed: 3-5 working days is normal. Some offer next-day delivery for a premium. Don’t pay for next-day unless you genuinely need it.
Box specifications: check the wall thickness (single vs. double), dimensions, and weight limits. Double-wall is stronger but heavier and slightly pricier. For most house moves, double-wall is worth it.
Customer reviews: check what people actually say. Are boxes arriving intact? Do they match the spec? Are they the quality you’d expect for the price? Reviews are usually honest.
UK-based suppliers: shipping is usually faster and cheaper if they’re based in the UK. Some online suppliers ship from Eastern Europe, and delivery takes longer.
At Boxtopia, for instance, we sell packing boxes (and custom boxes) in any quantity, no minimum orders, usually delivered within 10 days across the UK. We specify exactly what you’re getting (wall thickness, dimensions, maximum weight), and customer feedback shapes what we stock. That transparency is worth looking for in any online supplier.
Sometimes standard boxes won’t do. You might need wine boxes (with dividers), wardrobe boxes (tall, with a rail), or boxes designed for dishes or glassware.
For these, you’ll almost always find them online rather than in supermarkets or B&Q. Specialist packaging suppliers stock these variants. Prices vary wildly depending on complexity. A wardrobe box might cost 3-5 pounds each (because they’re larger and more complex), while wine boxes run 0.80-1.50 pounds each.
These are usually worth buying specialist because trying to make do with standard boxes for these items is false economy. A standard box won’t protect hanging clothes properly, and you’ll risk wrinkles or damage. Wardrobe boxes exist for a reason.
Here’s a quick reference for 70 boxes (typical small house move):
Supermarket: 91 pounds, collected today, single-wall, limited size choices B&Q: 140 pounds, delivery 3 days, double-wall, good size range Online specialist: 68 pounds, delivery 5 days, double-wall, full range
For speed: supermarket wins if you need boxes today. For quality: online specialists and B&Q (both double-wall) beat supermarkets. For value: online specialists win for medium-to-large orders (30+ boxes). For convenience: supermarkets and B&Q let you see/feel before buying.
Beyond choosing where to buy, there are a few other ways to reduce costs.
Ask about exactly how many boxes you need before ordering. Most people overestimate. A 2-bedroom flat typically needs 60-80 boxes, not 100. A better estimate saves money and reduces waste.
Check if your online supplier offers mixed sizes in one order. Some let you order a variety (say, 30 medium and 40 large), which is more efficient than ordering all one size.
Consider buying a slightly smaller size box if it saves money and still works for your packing. Sometimes 10 smaller boxes at 0.60 pounds each are more economical than 8 large boxes at 1 pound each.
Reuse boxes if you can. Plenty of people on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor give away moving boxes after their move. Free is hard to beat.
Where you buy packing boxes genuinely matters for your wallet. Supermarkets are convenient but expensive. B&Q offers better quality at a higher price. Online specialists usually win on value, especially for larger orders.
The decision comes down to your specific situation: do you need boxes today, in a few days, or can you wait a week? Are you moving once or shipping regularly? Is the cost per box the main factor, or is convenience worth paying more?
For most people moving house, an online specialist is the smart choice. For regular business shipping, it’s a no-brainer. For that emergency, quick grab of a few boxes, supermarket does the job.
Need packing boxes or custom packaging for your business? Boxtopia stocks a full range of corrugated boxes in multiple sizes, with no minimum orders and competitive pricing. UK delivery on all orders. Get a quote online or call for advice on exactly what size and spec you need.
