Facebook marketplace, The Freecycle Network and Buy Nothing groups are among the best places to look for free moving boxes. Some of your best bets for larger boxes include furniture and appliance stores and grocery stores. You may also find free boxes through local businesses, schools, box exchanges, yard sales and more.
Here are 19 places you may be able to find low or no-cost moving boxes.
Where to get free moving boxes
1. People you know
Ask neighbors, friends and family if they have boxes you can take off their hands or if they know someone who does. Anyone who gets regular package deliveries should have at least some boxes on hand (large produce delivery boxes make good moving boxes), and if anyone you know has just moved, you may be able to get all the boxes you need from a single source. Be sure to check that boxes are in good condition and can be closed and taped up properly.
2. Your own delivery boxes
Every delivery that comes to your house has the potential to bring another free moving box your way. (I’m thinking of you, Amazon Prime members.) You’ll likely receive boxes of varying sizes from different companies as well. You’ll need a few months to collect what you need, so be sure to start saving boxes instead of taking them to recycling as soon as you know you’ll be moving.
Nerdy Perspective
Consider all sizes of boxes
Don’t discount overly large or very small boxes. Big delivery boxes can work great for lightweight things, such as decorative pillows and bedding that won’t make them heavy. And small boxes that won’t hold a lot can be good for fragile items that you don’t want moving around larger boxes.
3. The Freecycle Network
The Freecycle Network is a nonprofit movement that encourages hanging onto and reusing things to keep them out of landfills. Sign up for free online or with the Freecycle mobile app, join a local town group (or a few of them!) and post about what you’d like to give away or what you’re looking to receive (moving boxes and supplies). Once you’ve connected with another member with boxes to give away, set up a meeting time and place to pick up your boxes. Before accepting used boxes, always check them carefully to make sure they’re not soiled or damaged.
4. Buy Nothing
The Buy Nothing Project is a benefit corporation that provides a forum for people to give away or get what they need for free. You access Buy Nothing via its mobile app. Create an account, set your viewing radius (Buy Nothing recommends starting with a 20-mile radius) and search for moving boxes in your area. You can then arrange a time and place for pickup. Be aware that there may not always be moving boxes available in your area, and used boxes may be damaged or dirty, so inspect them carefully before accepting them.
5. Yard sales
You’ll often find boxes in plain view at yard sales, holding books or other items for sale. The host of the yard sale may be willing to part with these boxes after the sale, so all you need to do is ask. You may be more successful if you speak to the host close to the end of the sale, when most of the items have already been sold.
6. Your place of work
Many businesses receive supply deliveries regularly, and those supplies often come in boxes that work well for moving. Ask your supervisor if your company has unpacked any deliveries recently and if there are boxes that you can take. Even if no boxes are available at the moment, the company may be willing to hold boxes for you when they arrive and are unpacked.
7. Libraries
Boxes used to deliver shipments of books to libraries have to be sturdy in order to accommodate the weight of books. Call or visit your local library to see if any boxes are available. Book boxes are perfect for your books or smaller items such as shoes or kitchen utensils.
8. Local schools and colleges
Educational institutions get deliveries of books and supplies, particularly in the fall or at the start of a new term. Call first to see if boxes are available and where/when you can pick them up. You may want to make a separate call to the school’s bookstore to see if any strong book boxes are also available.
9. Apartment complexes
Many apartment complexes have a high turnover rate, which increases the chances that someone is moving in when you need moving boxes. Call or visit the apartment complex’s management office to find out if boxes might be available and when/where you can pick them up.
10. Banks
Financial institutions receive regular deliveries of paper and promotional materials, which tend to come in sturdy boxes that lend themselves well to moving. Call or visit your bank and other local financial institutions to see if they have boxes or if they’d be willing to hold them for you when they arrive.
11. Local businesses
Most local businesses receive regular deliveries in boxes that just get recycled if no one takes them. You can call or visit businesses in your area to ask if any boxes are around for you to take. Businesses may be more willing to give you boxes if you’re a regular customer they know, but it’s fine to ask even if you’re not. Be especially careful to inspect food boxes for evidence of insects, pests and moisture. Also inspect boxes that once contained chemicals. Here are a few of the types of businesses that often have boxes on hand:
- Auto parts shops.
- Coffee shops.
- Arts and crafts stores.
- Wholesale stores and warehouse clubs.
- Furniture and appliance stores.
- Liquor stores.
- Grocery stores.
- Restaurants.
- Pharmacies.
12. Office buildings
Large office buildings house multiple businesses that all get regular supply deliveries. To find out if boxes are available, talk to the person working at the building’s front desk.
13. Recycling centers
Many unwanted boxes end up at recycling centers. Although some towns require boxes to be broken down before they’re picked up for recycling, not all areas are that strict. You may find intact boxes that have been dropped off in excellent condition. Speak with the recycling center attendant to see if you can take home any acceptable boxes you find.
Where to get free and cheap moving boxes
1. U-Haul Customer Connect
U-Haul Customer Connect offers a box exchange program that allows customers to find, give away or sell moving boxes. Simply visit the website and type “moving boxes” in the search box to see a list of customers with available moving supplies and where they’re located. You can then click on any offers in your area and respond to communicate your interest. Be aware that there may not be anyone with boxes to share in your area, and that those available may have a small fee.
2. Nextdoor.com
This site allows member neighbors to buy, sell and borrow items, as well as share news and recommendations. You can sign up online or through its mobile app. To find boxes, you do a search (or post a query) to find out if anyone in your area has moving boxes to sell or give away. You then communicate via the Nextdoor platform to negotiate a price and a time and place for pickup.
3. Facebook Marketplace and Facebook community groups
Facebook Marketplace and other Facebook community groups let members search for what they need or post what they’d like to get rid of — and you may find someone in your area with moving boxes available. To use Facebook Marketplace, log into your Facebook account and search Facebook Marketplace for “free moving boxes,” filtering your search for location. Then set up a time and place to pick up your boxes. You can also join and search other Facebook community groups to see if anyone has boxes to give away or sell. Before accepting used boxes, always inspect them to make sure they’re in good condition.
4. OfferUp
OfferUp is a buying and selling platform available through a mobile app. You create an account and do a search for moving boxes to see if anyone in your area has any for sale. You may also find some free boxes on this app. If an offer interests you, message the seller to negotiate the price and set up a pickup time and place.
Where to get cheap boxes
1. Ebay
While not always available, sometimes eBay sellers may put their used moving boxes up for sale at very reasonable prices. It’s worth a quick look and you may find a bargain.
2. Vinted
Vinted is a secondhand site that anyone can use to buy or sell gently used items, generally at very low prices. While what’s for sale varies depending on what’s available when you search, you may find a variety of options for cheap moving boxes and supplies.
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Tips for getting free moving boxes
Here are some ways to streamline getting the best free moving boxes:
- Time it right. Aim to pick up boxes from stores either late in the evening near closing time or early in the morning, shortly after stores open. These are the times when store employees are probably emptying boxes to stock shelves or breaking down boxes from overnight deliveries. Avoid going to stores for boxes during peak hours when it’s more likely to be crowded and staff won’t be able to help you.
- Ask. Call stores before making a visit so you can find out when they expect shipments coming in usable boxes — or if you’re already at the store, ask when a good time would be to come get boxes.
- Think of places that use unique boxes. Liquor stores are great for boxes with glassware dividers.
- Look for boxes that are designed for your items. Bookstores and libraries are a good source for boxes that can hold heavy items, such as a lot of books.
- Skip boxes that aren’t clean or sturdy. Avoid boxes that are wet, soiled, smelly, damaged, held unwrapped and/or perishable foods, or those that show signs of insect infestation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many moving boxes do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment?
For a 2-bedroom apartment, you’ll likely need 40-65 boxes. Whether you’re at the higher or lower end of the estimate depends on factors like your square footage, how long you’ve lived there, how many people in your household and how much decor you have..
Is it okay to reuse boxes for moving?
It’s okay to reuse boxes for moving as long as you look them over carefully to make sure they’re clean, in good shape structurally and free of any signs of vermin.
What type of boxes are the best to reuse for moving?
The very best type of boxes to reuse for moving are those that were designed for moving in the first place. These boxes will have heavy-duty strength, are stackable and may have handles for easy lifting. If you can’t find moving boxes, look for any other clean, strong, double-walled and corrugated boxes in good condition.
When is the best time to ask stores for free boxes?
The best time to ask stores for boxes is either late at night (after 10:00 pm) or early in the morning (6:00 am to 7:00 am), because these are the hours when staff is likely to be emptying boxes to stock shelves or breaking down boxes from overnight deliveries.
For stores with more limited hours, aim for close to their closing time — or right after they receive deliveries.Times to avoid (if you can) are peak hours when people who work in the stores are already busy with customers.
How soon should I buy boxes to move?
You’ll want to have all your moving boxes about four to six weeks before your move. This is also a good time to begin packing nonessentials.
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