Choosing the right carton thickness is one of the most important decisions when packaging goods for export. Get it wrong – too thin and products get damaged in transit; too thick and you pay more for material and container weight you do not need.
When to use 3-layer carton
3-layer carton has 2 face papers and 1 corrugated medium. It is the lightest and most economical option, suitable for:
- Light products (under 5 kg per box).
- Domestic shipping with minimal trans-shipment.
- Goods that are not heavily stacked in storage.
- Examples: single-pack clothing, books, FMCG.
5-layer carton – the most balanced choice
5-layer carton has 3 face papers and 2 corrugated mediums. This is the most common option for apparel, FMCG, and electronics exports:
- ECT strength of 32 – 44 lb/inch, meeting most US and EU export requirements.
- Suitable for stacking 4 – 6 layers high in a container.
- Product weight of 15 – 25 kg per box depending on design.
- Examples: clothing, footwear, small household goods.
7-layer carton – for heavy or fragile goods
7-layer carton has 4 face papers and 3 corrugated mediums. This is the premium option for high-value or heavy goods:
- ECT strength up to 55 – 75 lb/inch.
- Heavy products (25 – 50 kg per box).
- Fragile goods (electronics, machinery, ceramics) or shipments with multiple handling points.
- Meets ISTA 3A standards for drop and vibration testing.
Quick comparison
- 3-layer – light, economical, short-distance.
- 5-layer – balanced, standard for exports, versatile.
- 7-layer – strong, for heavy/fragile goods, ISTA 3A.
Not sure which thickness fits your product? Contact UNI-PACK at +84 221 655 2345 or cs@unipack.vn – our technical team will assess your requirements and recommend the best specification.
As a business operating in the field of packaging production and providing comprehensive packaging solutions for many different industries such as food, fast-moving consumer goods, industry, logistics…
HOTLINE: +84 221 655 2345 – ZALO: +84 356 234 847