Drinkware Export Packaging: Cartons, Inner Boxes and Freight Volume
Freight is often the cost buyers estimate last. The carton count, carton size and inner box decide how many bottles fit in a shipment. Here is how drinkware is packed for export, with real carton figures and a simple way to work out volume.
By Feng, Head of After-Sales Service & Online Marketing Lead
Drinkware for export is usually packed in two layers: each piece in an inner pack, such as a colour box, kraft box, gift box or OPP bag, then a set number of pieces in a corrugated master carton. Freight cost depends on the carton volume and weight, so ask for pieces per carton, carton size and gross weight before you book. As real examples, BG Drinkware, a drinkware manufacturer in Yongkang, China, packs its 380 ml travel cup 50 pieces per 49 × 49 × 43 cm carton at 14 kg gross, its 30 oz straw tumbler 50 pieces per 71 × 49 × 56 cm carton at 24 kg gross, and its 40 oz tumbler 20 pieces per 58 × 55 × 32.5 cm carton. Packaging is set per order, so changing the inner box changes the carton. Multiply length × width × height in metres for the carton volume, then divide by pieces per carton for the volume per piece.
How is drinkware packed for export?
In two layers. Each bottle or tumbler goes into an inner pack, and a fixed number of inner packs go into a master carton. The inner pack protects the finish and carries your branding; the master carton protects the load in transit and sets how much space the order takes in a container.
| Inner pack | Used for | Example on BG product pages |
|---|---|---|
| Colour box | Retail shelf, branded presentation | 380 ml travel cup, 650 ml sports bottle |
| Kraft paper box | Simple branded or eco look | 40 oz tumbler with dual-sip lid |
| Gift box | Premium and gift ranges | 360 ml titanium vacuum flask |
| OPP bag | Low-cost packing for plastic items | 330 ml plastic coffee cup, 700 ml infuser bottle |
Packaging is set per order, so you can change the inner pack. For packaging options, see our packaging page.
How many bottles fit in a carton?
It depends on the size of the bottle and its inner box. Larger tumblers in individual boxes may pack 20 to a carton, while small plastic bottles can pack 100. These figures come from BG Drinkware's product pages and are a useful starting point for freight estimates.
| Product | Pieces per carton | Carton size | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 380 ml travel cup | 50 | 49 × 49 × 43 cm | 14 kg |
| 30 oz straw tumbler | 50 | 71 × 49 × 56 cm | 24 kg |
| 40 oz tumbler, kraft box | 20 | 58 × 55 × 32.5 cm | 14 kg (basis to confirm) |
| 750 ml loop-cap bottle | 50 | 44 × 44 × 59 cm | 17 kg |
| 400 ml plastic sports bottle | 100 | 69 × 35 × 29 cm | 9.9 kg |
| 1,800 ml teapot | 24 | 74 × 48.5 × 47 cm | 26 kg |
Confirm the figures for your order before production, because a different inner box, a gift set or added inserts change the carton.
How do you work out freight volume?
Convert the carton size to metres and multiply: length × width × height gives the carton volume in cubic metres. Divide by pieces per carton for the volume of one piece, then multiply by your order quantity. For less-than-container and air shipments, your forwarder prices on volume or weight, whichever is higher; a full container is priced per container.
- Carton volume30 oz tumbler carton: 0.71 × 0.49 × 0.56 m = about 0.195 m³.
- Volume per piece0.195 m³ ÷ 50 pieces = about 0.0039 m³ per tumbler.
- Order volumeFor 2,000 tumblers: 2,000 ÷ 50 = 40 cartons × 0.195 m³ = about 7.8 m³.
- Order weight40 cartons × 24 kg = 960 kg gross.
- Check with your forwarderUsable container space depends on carton sizes and stacking, so ask for a load plan.
The same method works for any carton on our product pages. BG Drinkware usually sells EXW, with goods shipped from Ningbo, so share these figures with your forwarder before booking. For how bulk orders run end to end, see wholesale drinkware.
How is the finish protected in the carton?
Coated and printed drinkware can scuff where pieces rub together, so each piece should be separated. An inner box does this on its own; with OPP bags or bulk packing, dividers or wrapping between pieces help. Lids, straws and spare parts should be packed so they cannot move against the coating.
Agree the packing method on the sample and write it on the purchase order: inner pack, pieces per carton, dividers, and carton marks. Check the delivery on arrival; our inspection checklist includes carton checks before opening. For quality checks before shipping, see quality control.
What should be printed on export cartons?
Carton marks let your warehouse and customs identify the goods without opening the box. Agree them before packing: your reference, the model and colour, quantity per carton, carton number, gross and net weight, carton size, and the country of origin. Retail and marketplace programmes may need their own labels as well.
- Your order or PO number
- Model, capacity and colour
- Pieces per carton and carton number (for example 1/40)
- Gross and net weight, carton dimensions
- Country of origin, for example Made in China
For product classification on shipping documents, see HS codes for water bottles and tumblers. For Amazon shipments, see Amazon FBA drinkware prep.
Export packaging FAQ
Short answers to the questions importers ask most about drinkware packing: how many pieces fit in a carton, how to estimate freight volume, whether the inner box can be changed and what goes on the carton. Each answer uses the carton figures and methods set out in this guide.
How many tumblers are in a carton?
It depends on the model and inner box. On BG Drinkware's product pages, the 30 oz straw tumbler packs 50 pieces per carton and the 40 oz tumbler in a kraft box packs 20 per carton. Smaller cups such as the 380 ml travel cup pack 50. Confirm the figure for your order before production.
How do I calculate the CBM of a drinkware order?
Multiply the carton's length, width and height in metres to get its volume in cubic metres, then multiply by the number of cartons. For example, 40 cartons of 71 × 49 × 56 cm is about 7.8 m³. For shared-container and air freight, forwarders price on volume or weight, whichever is higher.
Can I change the inner box or packaging?
Yes. Packaging is set per order, so you can choose a colour box, kraft box, gift box or bag, and add your own artwork. A different inner box usually changes the pieces per carton and the carton size, so ask for updated carton figures before you book freight.
What should be printed on the master carton?
Your order number, the model, capacity and colour, pieces per carton, carton number, gross and net weight, carton dimensions and country of origin. Agree the marks before packing, and add any labels your retailer, warehouse or marketplace requires, so cartons can be received without being opened.
Planning freight for a drinkware order?
Send the capacity, quantity, model, colour, logo method, packaging, payment terms and trade terms for a quotation with carton details.
