EPS boxes with lid: sizes and use
An EPS box with lid is the standard solution for shipping food and medicines chilled. An EPS box made of foam insulates well, is light and comes with a matching lid included. The size you choose decides how much fits in one box and how many boxes fit on a pallet. In this article we put the main sizes side by side and explain what to look at.
One box, three names
An EPS box with lid is also called a styrofoam box with lid or a Tempex box with lid. It is always the same: expanded polystyrene, a white, light plastic that consists of about 98% air. Tempex is the old brand name. Our EPS boxes with lid come from our own production since 1972 and are available directly from stock. The lid belongs to the box, so you order everything at once. Separate lids are only available on request.
What decides the right size of EPS box?
Look at the inner size, because the wall of an EPS box is thick. For a 12-liter box with a wall thickness of 20 mm, 365 x 260 x 125 mm remains inside from 400 x 300 x 155 mm outside.
Empty space in the box works against you: the less air is left, the less heat can circulate.
Sizes and wall thickness of our EPS boxes with lid
The table below shows a selection from the range. All sizes are delivered with a matching lid, and the number per pallet is included. The full list with all variants is at our EPS boxes.
| Volume | Outer size (mm) | Inner size (mm) | Wall thickness | Per pallet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 liters | 300 x 200 x 155 | 270 x 170 x 120 | 15 mm | 360 pieces |
| 12 liters | 400 x 300 x 155 | 365 x 260 x 125 | 20 mm | 160 pieces |
| 19 liters | 500 x 300 x 210 | 460 x 260 x 165 | 20 mm | 96 pieces |
| 25 liters | 600 x 400 x 155 | 540 x 340 x 110 | 30 mm | 90 pieces |
| 34 liters | 600 x 400 x 205 | 540 x 340 x 165 | 30 mm | 60 pieces |
| 30 liters | 600 x 400 x 300 | 500 x 300 x 200 | 50 mm | 35 pieces |
| 45 liters | 600 x 400 x 400 | 500 x 300 x 300 | 50 mm | 25 pieces |
Four sizes in practice
The 5-liter EPS box is the compact size for small shipments. It measures 300 x 200 x 155 mm on the outside, has a 15 mm wall and comes with and without drain holes. If you need more insulation in the same footprint, look at the 4.7 liter of 300 x 200 x 200 mm with a 30 mm wall. It comes without drain holes and fits 200 pieces on a pallet.
The 20-liter EPS box measures 500 x 400 x 160 mm on the outside and 460 x 360 x 120 mm on the inside. The wall is 20 mm thick and 90 pieces fit on a full pallet. It is a roomy, flat box for medium-sized shipments.
The 400x300x300 EPS box has a volume of 17.5 liters, an inner size of 330 x 230 x 230 mm and a 35 mm wall. 70 pieces fit on a pallet. The box has the same base as the 10-liter box of 400 x 300 x 200 mm, which also has a 35 mm wall and fits 100 pieces on a pallet. The stacking pattern therefore stays the same, the box is just 10 cm taller. That is handy for products that must stand upright.
The 600x400x300 EPS box has a volume of 30 liters and a 50 mm wall. The inner size is 500 x 300 x 200 mm and 35 pieces fit on a pallet. The base of 600 x 400 mm is a full euro size. If you want even more volume with the same wall, there is the box of 600 x 400 x 400 mm with 45 liters, of which 25 fit on a pallet.
Thin or thick wall?
The thicker the wall, the longer the contents stay cold. A thin-walled box of 20 mm keeps products cool for roughly eight to twelve hours, while a thick-walled box of 40 to 50 mm reaches 24 to 48 hours with gel packs. How long a box stays cold in practice depends on the outside temperature and the amount of coolant. You can read more about it in our article how long a styrofoam box stays cold.
With or without drain holes
Some sizes are available with and without drain holes. Boxes with drain holes let melt water run away and are often used for fish. Boxes without drain holes keep moisture inside. Take a look at both versions at EPS boxes with drain holes and EPS boxes without drain holes.
Coolant in your EPS box
An EPS box holds cold, but does not make it itself. For chilled or frozen transport you need coolant. That can be ice packs or hard cooling elements. Place gel packs on top of the product, because cold air sinks and so cools the contents evenly. Fill the box as tightly as possible, so little air stays in.
EPS or another cooler box
If you want a box that comes back often and is reused, EPP is an option. If you prefer to ship without foam, there are cardboard alternatives. A comparison is in our article choosing between EPS and EPP. An overview of all cooler boxes is at cooler boxes.
Frequently asked questions about EPS boxes with lid
Is the lid included?
Yes, an EPS box with lid is delivered including a matching lid. That is also stated with each product. A separate lid is only available on request.
Which size EPS box do I choose for a medicine shipment?
Look at the inner size. The 5 liter and the 12 liter are suitable for small shipments of medicines. The right thickness depends on the transport time and the temperature you need to reach.
Can I order EPS boxes in large quantities?
Yes, the boxes are delivered per pallet. The number per pallet is in the table and with each product.
Buy an EPS box with lid
Do you know which size you need? Then take a look at all EPS boxes from our own production, available directly from stock. If you are choosing between two sizes, contact us. We are happy to help.
You will find all names in our glossary.
