Article Focus: This article explains packaging material costs, processing costs, and how to determine whether a supplier’s quote is reasonable.
Packaging cost mainly includes two parts: material cost (based on paper area) and labor cost (based on processing steps).
Keep in mind that quantity is the biggest factor affecting the price—the more you order, the cheaper it gets.
Packaging Box Paper Cost Estimation
Taking a box size of 20×20×10 cm as an example, using 300g/m² white cardboard and an international paper price of 800 USD/ton, we can estimate the paper cost per box as follows:
- Packaging Layout Area
To make a box, the paper needs to be cut and laid out. Based on common structures (such as white cardboard boxes), the unfolded area is approximately 0.161 m² (including about 15% material loss allowance).
2.Paper Weight per Box
0.161 ㎡ × 300g/㎡ = 48.3 g
3.Paper Cost per Box
1 ton = 1,000 kg → Unit price = 0.8 USD/kg
Final calculation:
48.3g = 0.0483 kg × 0.8 USD/kg = approx. 0.039 USD
conclusion
The paper cost per box is approximately 0.039 USD
Note：This cost includes paper material only and does not cover printing, lamination, die-cutting, labor, or shipping. For a full-process quotation, feel free to share your required specifications, and we’ll provide a detailed estimate.
