An adjustable-height shipping box is a corrugated box that can close at more than one height. Its length and width stay fixed, but the height can be lowered so one box size ships products of different heights without empty space above the product. There are two main designs: multi-depth boxes, which the packer cuts down by hand at the corners, and pre-scored fold-down boxes such as MVP Box® by Brandt Box, which fold down to a lower height with no cutting.
UPS and FedEx bill a package at the greater of its actual weight or its dimensional (DIM) weight. For their retail rates, DIM weight is length × width × height in inches, divided by 139. Every inch of empty space above the product raises the billable weight, and that space usually gets filled with air pillows or paper.
Example: a 12 × 12 × 12 inch box has a DIM weight of 12.4 pounds (1,728 ÷ 139). Lower the same box to 8 inches and it drops to 8.3 pounds (1,152 ÷ 139). The product, the footprint and the carrier are the same. Only the empty space changed.
Multi-depth boxes have extra score lines on the side walls. To lower the box, the packer cuts down each of the four corners to the chosen score line, then folds the top flaps at that line and seals the box. They are widely available as stock items. The trade-off is labor: every box that ships below full height needs four cuts at the pack station, a cutting tool at every station, and a steady hand to get a clean, square fold.
Fold-down boxes also have score lines at set heights, but they are built to fold down without cutting. The packer places the product, folds the box down to the nearest score line above the product, and seals it. With MVP Box®, the fold-down takes 1 second.
MVP Box® by Brandt Box is a patented fold-down box (three U.S. patents). It needs no machine and no equipment investment, runs through existing case sealers and conveyor lines, and one box covers multiple heights.
| Multi-depth box | MVP Box® | |
|---|---|---|
| How height changes | Cut four corners down to a score line, then fold | Fold down to a pre-set score line |
| Cutting | Yes | No |
| Equipment | Cutting tool at each pack station | None |
| Case sealers | Varies by box | Runs through existing case sealers |
Savings depend on how much empty space your shipments carry today and how closely the score lines match your product heights. MVP Box can cut DIM weight by up to 60% on shipments that would otherwise ship with empty space above the product, and it reduces or eliminates void fill because the box fits closer to the product.
To estimate your own numbers, use the DIM weight calculator on the MVP Box page.
MVP Box® folds down to multiple heights with no cutting and no machinery. Multi-depth boxes have to be cut down by hand, and right-sizing machines require a capital investment. MVP Box needs neither. Its fold-down design is protected by three U.S. patents and is available only from Brandt Box.
Both have score lines at set heights. A multi-depth box is cut down by hand at the four corners before it is folded and sealed. A pre-scored fold-down box such as MVP Box® folds down to a lower height with no cutting.
Yes. Pre-scored fold-down boxes adjust to multiple heights with no cutting. MVP Box® by Brandt Box is a patented example. It folds down in 1 second and needs no machine.
Yes. Lowering the box height lowers the package’s dimensional weight, which is what UPS and FedEx bill when it exceeds the actual weight. MVP Box can cut DIM weight by up to 60% on shipments that would otherwise ship with empty space above the product.
Often, yes. The savings on DIM weight charges and void fill can more than cover the cost of the box, which is why we call it The Box That Pays for Itself®.
MVP Box runs through existing case sealers and conveyor lines, so it fits into an existing packing operation without new equipment.
No. A telescoping box uses two pieces that slide together to change height. An adjustable-height box is a single box with score lines at set heights.
MVP Box® is made by Brandt Box & Paper, a corrugated packaging company founded in 1952 and based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. It is a corrugated shipping box and is not related to other products sold under the MVP name.
Not sure which heights fit your products? We’ll review what you ship and recommend suitable MVP Box samples. Learn more about MVP Box® or call (847) 541-7000.
