Packaging cost per order calculator

Separate supplies used once per shipment from supplies used for each item, then compare packaging costs across three order sizes.

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Enter packaging assumptions

Enter costs in one currency; this tool does not convert exchange rates.

PACKAGING COMPARISON

LOCAL

Estimated supply cost

Supply estimates only. Amounts shown are rounded; annual totals use unrounded costs. Postage, labor, taxes, returns and platform fees are excluded unless separately included in your inputs.

METHOD & PRACTICAL USE

How to calculate packaging cost per order

Add the outer packaging and other shipment supplies used once per order. Add the individual packaging cost multiplied by the number of items. Then multiply by one plus the extra supply allowance. Cost per item is the resulting order cost divided by the number of items.

For example, a $0.80 mailer, $0.20 in other shipment supplies and $0.35 of packaging for each of two items cost $1.70 before allowance. Adding 10% gives $1.87 per order, or about $0.94 per item. At 500 orders of that exact size, the unrounded estimate is $935 for the year.

What belongs in each input?

Count once-per-shipment items such as an outer box, tape or a single shipping label as per-order costs. Count sleeves, protective bags or inserts used for each product as per-item costs. For bulk purchases, add a supply line with the pack price, usable units, and how much you use per order or item. For example, a $12 pack of 100 labels costs $0.12 per label. One label per item adds $0.12 for each item before allowance. Enter the same unit for pack and usage, and do not include that supply in the basic fields as well.

Understand the comparison

Each row applies the same annual order count and allowance to a different item count; annual figures are alternatives and should not be added together. If larger orders need a different box or more filler, change the inputs for that scenario: this comparison assumes the same per-order supplies for all three.

What is not included?

The result does not calculate carrier postage, shipping dimensions or weight, payment fees, labor, storage, taxes, returns or product cost. An allowance is an estimate, not a prediction of waste or damaged goods. Use actual invoices and your own process when pricing an order.

For examples of how packaging, handling and shipping are separate fulfillment costs, see ShipBob’s fulfillment overview.