Buying an EPS box: hardware store, online or maker
You can buy an EPS box at a hardware store, from a wholesaler, on a marketplace or directly from the manufacturer. If you regularly ship chilled goods, the manufacturer offers fitting sizes, tiered prices, pallets and delivery you can plan around.
We sell EPS boxes ourselves, so we are not neutral. That is why we describe the channels as categories and make no statements about the prices or range of individual suppliers.
One product, many names
An EPS box is also called an EPS cooler, an EPS shipping box or a foam shipping box. Other names are styrofoam box for shipping and insulated foam box. Smaller versions with a lid are also sold as a foam cooler with lid. As packaging material it is called EPS packaging or foam packaging.
EPS stands for expanded polystyrene, a white, light plastic that consists of about 98% air. Tempex is the older brand name for the same material: a Tempex box is a box made of EPS. A styrofoam shipping box, a polystyrene box and an expanded polystyrene box are the same product. Another name is insulated box for shipping.
Buying an EPS box: the four channels
Hardware store
The range depends on the store.
- Strength: you take the box with you right away and pay per piece.
- Limitation: you depend on what the store has in stock.
Wholesalers and cash-and-carry stores
Wholesalers focus on business customers. Whether they carry EPS boxes, and in which sizes, depends on the location.
- Strength: you see the goods on the spot.
- Limitation: you depend on the local range.
Marketplaces and general online shops
On marketplaces you find many sellers, from single boxes to sets.
- Strength: wide choice and quick price comparison.
- Limitation: you compare wall thickness and inner size of every offer yourself.
Directly from the manufacturer
From the manufacturer you buy boxes with tiered prices and pallets. Whether custom sizes are possible differs per manufacturer.
- Strength: a business offer, clear data about the box and delivery you can plan around.
- Limitation: the standard sizes are the ones you find in the range below.
Comparison per channel
The table deliberately mentions no prices. It only shows the pricing logic.
| Channel | Choice of sizes | Pricing logic |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware store | Differs per store | Price per piece |
| Wholesaler | Differs per location | Business price |
| Marketplace | Differs per seller | Price per piece or set plus shipping costs |
| Directly from the manufacturer | Standard sizes from 4.7 to 173 liters, existing molds on request | Tiered prices, pallet prices |
What to look at when you buy
These points decide whether a box is suitable for chilled shipping.
- Wall thickness: the thicker the wall, the longer the contents stay cool. A thin-walled box of 20 mm keeps products cool for roughly eight to twelve hours. A thick-walled box of 40 to 50 mm reaches 24 to 48 hours with gel packs.
- Lid: our EPS boxes come with a matching lid as standard.
- Drain holes: for fish, boxes with drain holes let meltwater run away.
- Size: empty space in the box works against you. The less air is left, the less heat can circulate. Also allow room for cooling elements.
- Stock: ask whether the box is available from stock.
You find the right size with this explanation of how to choose the right box size. A buying guide per application is in Buying a styrofoam box: the right choice for food and medicines.
Our range at Cooled Solutions. We make our boxes in our own production since 1972. The range of EPS boxes runs from 4.7 to 173 liters and is available directly from stock. Every box is delivered with a matching lid as standard. If you order before 14:00, a standard order usually leaves the same day. For larger quantities there are pallet prices. If no standard size fits, ask about the existing molds.
Frequently asked questions about buying an EPS box
Where can I buy an EPS box?
At a hardware store, from a wholesaler, on marketplaces or directly from the manufacturer. We supply our EPS boxes directly, from our own production since 1972.
Is a styrofoam box the same as a Tempex box?
Yes. Styrofoam, Tempex and EPS are names for the same material. The difference lies in the wall thickness, the size and whether a lid is included, not in the name.
Does an EPS box come with a lid?
With us it does: every EPS box is delivered with a matching lid as standard. Separate lids are only available on request.
Are you looking for an EPS box for regular shipments? Take a look at our EPS boxes in all standard sizes or request a business offer with pallet prices.
You will find all names in our glossary.
