It’s common to see products shipped by e-commerce sites in plastic poly bags rather than cardboard boxes. This is mainly due to several factors. Most importantly, poly bags are generally lighter and smaller and therefore more convenient when it comes to filling orders.

However, this isn’t true for all types of products. Clothing, which includes soft goods such as t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, blankets etc., tend to be good candidates for being packaged in plastic poly bags. These products don’t typically have a high risk of breaking down during transit, and therefore there is no necessity to provide additional protection via a cardboard box. As long as the poly bag is sturdy enough, it will provide the necessary protection without requiring excessive amounts of materials.
There are multiple reasons why e-commerce sites prefer to utilize poly bags when packaging their products. They are very compact and can be stored in extremely limited spaces. If we compare the amount of space required to store 1000s of flat poly bags vs the amount of space required to store 1000s of boxes, it becomes clear how beneficial poly bags can be for reducing clutter within the warehouse and ultimately making the entire process of preparing shipments easier.
Additionally, consumers often inquire whether poly bags can protect products during shipment. Often, they can. A properly made poly bag provides adequate protection against debris (dirt/dust), moisture, and UV light associated with regular delivery methods. To maximize this benefit, selecting the appropriate size of bag is crucial; a poly bag that does not allow for excessive movement of the product is ideal.

Reducing cost associated with shipping is something that concerns almost every e-commerce site. Generally speaking, since most poly bags weigh significantly less than similar-sized boxes, they can assist in reducing shipping costs related to products that require minimal protection. Although the reductions in shipping costs may seem minor per item, the total cumulative savings can become significant when considering the number of individual shipments processed.

















