Why Grading Matters
In the used box market, grading is everything. A standardized grading system creates trust between buyer and seller by establishing clear expectations for box condition. At Portland Boxes, our four-tier grading system (A through D) ensures you always know exactly what you are getting.
Grade A: Like New
What to expect: Clean surfaces with no printing, labels, or significant tape residue. Minimal signs of prior use — perhaps a slight crease or one small area of tape mark. Structurally identical to a new box.
Best for: Retail packaging, customer-facing shipments, e-commerce where unboxing experience matters, professional office relocations.
Typical savings: 40-45% vs. new boxes of equivalent quality.
Grade B: Good
What to expect: Light wear visible on close inspection. May have minor printing, small label remnants, or tape marks. All walls and flaps are fully intact with good structural integrity.
Best for: Business-to-business shipping, general e-commerce, warehouse storage, product returns processing. This is the sweet spot of value — excellent performance at significant savings.
Typical savings: 45-55% vs. new boxes.
Grade C: Fair
What to expect: Moderate wear with visible printing, labels, or tape. May have minor cosmetic damage like light staining or pen marks. Structurally sound but clearly used. All flaps functional.
Best for: Internal logistics, warehouse storage, moving and relocation, non-customer-facing shipping, recycling center collection.
Typical savings: 55-65% vs. new boxes.
Grade D: Used
What to expect: Significant wear. May have softened corners, partial label coverage, or minor structural imperfections. Still functional for its rated capacity but showing its age.
Best for: Temporary storage, padding and void fill, non-shipping applications, composting operations, arts and crafts projects.
Typical savings: 65-75% vs. new boxes.
How to Choose Your Grade
The right grade depends on your use case. Ask yourself:
- Will the customer see this box? If yes, Grade A or B. If no, Grade C or D.
- How far is it shipping? Longer distances benefit from higher grades.
- What is inside? Fragile items warrant Grade A or B. Durable goods work with any grade.
- What is your budget? Grade C offers the best value for most non-customer-facing applications.
Remember: our grading is conservative. Many of our Grade B boxes would be considered new-like by other suppliers.