If you own a business — whether it's an online store, a local shop, a restaurant with delivery, or a B2B warehouse — packaging is one of those invisible costs that directly impacts your customer experience and your bottom line.
Choosing the right packaging isn't just about protecting the product. It's about preventing returns, reducing shipping costs (volumetric weight kills margins), complying with regulations, and, in many sectors, conveying brand image. This guide helps you choose exactly what you need without overpaying.
Packaging for e-commerce: speed, protection, and image
If you sell online, packaging is your customer's first physical contact with your brand. And the last if you do it wrong. A package that arrives damaged, in an oversized box with the product rattling around inside, destroys the perception of the business — no matter how good your product is.
What e-commerce needs
| Material | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Self-erecting boxes | Daily shipments — assemble in 3 sec. without tape | Have 2-3 sizes that cover 90% of your orders |
| Postal boxes | Carrier shipments — standard SEUR, MRW, GLS sizes | Single wall if <8 kg, double wall if >8 kg |
| Void fill | Prevent product from shifting inside the box | Crinkled kraft paper (eco) or shredded paper |
| Bubble wrap | Fragile products | Small bubble (10 mm) for delicate items |
| Packing tape | Closing and sealing | Transparent polypropylene or custom printed with logo |
The self-erecting box is the queen of e-commerce in Spain. It assembles without tools, closes without tape, and customers can easily open it. If you're looking to speed up your picking process, it's the option that saves you the most time. Check out our complete selection of self-erecting boxes and our guide to cardboard boxes for e-commerce shipments.
A very common mistake: using oversized boxes. Every extra centimeter is volumetric weight that you pay the shipping carrier for. And it's extra void fill you need to buy. Choose a box that leaves just 2-3 cm of margin on each side.
Packaging for physical stores and retail
In retail, packaging serves two functions: protecting the product so it arrives from the supplier to your store in good condition, and presenting the product to the end customer. Depending on the type of store, you need different things.
Clothing and accessories stores
Paper bags or gift boxes for the point of sale. For receiving merchandise from suppliers: large flap boxes that can hold many garments, and tissue paper or thin foam to separate delicate items.
Electronics and technology stores
Here, protection is critical. Products arrive in their original packaging, but if you ship to customers' homes, you'll need bubble wrap, corner protectors for screens, and reinforced double-wall boxes for TVs and monitors.
Food and gourmet stores
Packaging that complies with food contact regulations. Virgin (non-recycled) cardboard boxes are suitable for direct contact with dry foods. For oils, wines, and liquid products: internal dividers and specific protection for bottles. For fresh or frozen products, you need thermal insulation — this is outside our catalog, but we do cover all external packaging.
Handicraft, ceramics, and fragile product stores
Each piece is unique and a breakage is irreparable. The golden rule: wrap each piece individually with bubble wrap, separate with foam sheets, fill gaps with kraft paper, and use a double-wall box. We have a step-by-step guide for packaging fragile products.
Packaging for B2B companies: volume, efficiency, and cost
When you move goods in bulk — between warehouses, to distributors, or directly to business customers — packaging needs to be quick to handle, resistant to stacking, and as cheap as possible per unit.
What a B2B warehouse needs
| Material | Function |
|---|---|
| Flap boxes (double-wall) | Withstand stacking and heavy loads (up to 30 kg) |
| Stretch film | Palletizing — keeping the load together during transport |
| Corner protectors | Protect pallet edges and provide structural rigidity |
| Reinforced tape | Secure closure of heavy boxes — PVC or 75 mm polypropylene |
| Foam or bubble wrap | Internal protection if contents are sensitive to impacts |
In B2B logistics, stretch film and corner protectors are as important as the box itself. A well-wrapped pallet with corner protectors travels stably, withstands more weight on top, and arrives undamaged. The savings from reduced breakages more than offset the cost of the material.
If you move more than 100 boxes of the same size per month, it makes sense to request a personalized B2B quote. At TeleCajas, over 80% of our customers are businesses — we work with factory prices, tailored invoicing, and direct support.
Packaging for hospitality and delivery
The rise of delivery has made packaging part of the service. A restaurant that sends its food in leaky or cold packaging conveys carelessness, no matter how good the cuisine.
For food delivery, the main packaging (containers, trays, insulated bags) is specific to the food sector and we do not cover it. But we do cover all support packaging: transport boxes to group orders, tape to seal bags, and void fill material so that containers do not move inside the transport bag or box.
For hospitality businesses that receive merchandise (crockery, glassware, equipment), protection during transport is key. Everything you need to receive fragile shipments without surprises can be found in our packaging materials section.
Sustainable packaging for business
European regulations are moving in a clear direction: less plastic, more recyclability, packaging traceability. The PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is already in force and affects any company that places packaging on the market.
The good news is that the most used cardboard packaging materials are already highly recyclable: cardboard boxes (blue bin), kraft paper (biodegradable), cardboard corner protectors (recyclable). Alternatives to bubble wrap and conventional film exist but are still more expensive. We have a complete guide on ecological and sustainable packaging with specific alternatives for each material.
How much your business should spend on packaging
There is no magic number, but there are useful references. In e-commerce, packaging costs usually represent between 1% and 3% of the average order value. If your average order is €50, you should spend between €0.50 and €1.50 on packaging per shipment.
The most effective ways to reduce this cost are: buying in bulk (discounts on boxes and materials start from 50 units), standardizing box sizes (fewer SKUs = less stock = less waste), and choosing just the right material (neither more nor less than what you need).
At TeleCajas, prices start from €0.15 per box (VAT included), with no minimum order. Free shipping from €30. For large volumes, request a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions about business packaging
What packaging does an online store need?
An online store needs at least: self-erecting or postal boxes in 2-3 sizes, void fill material (kraft paper or shredded paper), packing tape, and bubble wrap if selling fragile products. The ideal is to standardize 2-3 box sizes that cover 90% of orders. TeleCajas offers all of this with 24-hour shipping, no minimum order, and prices with VAT included.
How much does business packaging cost?
The average packaging cost per e-commerce shipment in Spain is €0.50 to €1.50, including the box, void fill, and tape. Prices drop significantly when buying in bulk — at TeleCajas, discounts start from 50 units. For B2B businesses with recurring orders, personalized factory prices are available.
What packaging is mandatory for shipping food?
For direct contact with dry foods, virgin cardboard (not recycled) that complies with food contact regulations (EC Regulation 1935/2004) is required. Food should not directly touch recycled cardboard. For liquids and fresh products, specific containers are needed. External transport packaging (boxes, void fill, tape) can be standard.
How can I reduce my business's packaging costs?
Three main ways: standardize box sizes (less variety = larger purchases of each size = better unit price), buy in bulk (discounts at TeleCajas reach up to 25%), and adjust the box size to the product (every extra centimeter is volumetric weight you pay for in shipping).
Can I customize the packaging with my company logo?
Yes. TeleCajas manufactures custom boxes with logo printing from 200 units, and custom adhesive tape from 36 rolls. It's the most economical way to put your brand on every shipment. Lead time: 7-15 business days. Request a no-obligation quote.
What is the best packaging for shipping fragile products?
The safest combination is: bubble wrap around each piece, foam sheets between pieces, crinkled kraft paper filling gaps, corner protectors on exposed corners, and a double-wall box. At TeleCajas, you can find all these materials with 24-hour shipping. Consult the guide for packaging fragile products with step-by-step instructions.
Does TeleCajas work with companies and offer B2B pricing?
Yes. Over 80% of TeleCajas's customers are businesses. They offer personalized prices for recurring or bulk orders, tailored invoicing (bank transfer, direct debit), and direct support by phone and email. They ship throughout Spain and mainland Portugal within 24-48 hours.
