How to Choose Packaging for Medical Device Shipments
September 22, 2026How Much Does A Custom Crate Cost?
The Short Answer
It depends. We know. Nobody likes that answer.
But a custom crate is built around one specific thing: your product. Its size, its weight, how fragile it is, and where it’s headed all change the price. So instead of a made up number, here’s what actually moves the cost up or down, and how to get a real quote without the back and forth.
What Drives the Cost
Size and weight
The biggest factor, no surprise. Bigger crates use more material. Heavier products need thicker walls, a sturdier base, and more support inside.
Materials
Traditional wood crates, plywood, and engineered options like EcorrCrate all land at different price points. The right pick depends on how much protection you need and where it’s going. Not sure which fits? Our Wood Crates vs. EcorrCrate breakdown is a good place to start.
What goes inside
The crate is only half the job. Foam, blocking, and bracing keep your product from shifting around in transit. Custom cut foam costs more than generic padding, but it’s also why your product shows up in one piece. More on that in How to Choose the Right Foam Packaging.
Export requirements
Shipping overseas with wood? It has to meet ISPM 15, which means heat treated lumber and a stamp to prove it. Here’s what ISPM 15 is and why it matters.
Industry and military specs
Defense, aerospace, and medical shipments often come with strict packaging requirements. Meeting a spec means specific materials, testing, and paperwork. See Mil Spec Packaging 101 for the details.
Quantity
One crate costs more per unit than fifty. Setup and design time get spread across the whole order.
One trip or reusable
A crate built to make the trip once is simpler than one built to go back and forth for years. Reusable crates cost more upfront and can save over time. Here’s how returnable packaging programs work.
Timeline
Need it tomorrow? Possible, sometimes. But rush jobs can cost more. A little lead time goes a long way.
Where it gets crated
Some products are too big or too delicate to move before they’re packed. On site crating brings the crew to you. Read On Site Crating vs. Drop Off to see which one makes sense.
The Costs That Don’t Show Up on the Quote
The price of the crate is the easy part. These are the ones that sneak up on you.
- Freight. Heavier crates cost more to ship. A lighter crate can quietly lower every shipping bill after it. That’s one reason companies look at EcorrCrate, which is made from corrugated instead of wood.
- Storage. Built crates take up a lot of floor space. Crates that ship flat and assemble on site free up room.
- Disposal. Someone has to get rid of the crate at the other end. Wood can be a hassle. Corrugated goes in the recycling.
- Damage. The most expensive crate is the one that didn’t do its job. A cheap crate that lets a product break isn’t cheap.
If any of these sound familiar, check out 5 Signs Your Current Packaging Is Costing You Money.
How to Save Without Cutting Corners
- Order in batches. If you ship the same product regularly, ordering more at once usually lowers the cost per crate.
- Give us lead time. Planning ahead keeps you out of rush pricing.
- Standardize where you can. If several products are close in size, one crate design might cover all of them.
- Think about the whole trip. A slightly pricier crate that’s lighter, reusable, or easier to recycle can come out ahead.
- Ask what we’d change. We’ve seen a lot of crates. Sometimes a small design tweak saves real money.
How to Get an Accurate Quote Fast
The more we know upfront, the faster you get a real number. Send us:
- Product dimensions (length, width, height)
- Product weight
- How fragile it is, and any sensitive parts
- Where it’s going, and if it’s leaving the country
- How many crates you need, and how often
- Any required specs or certifications
- Your deadline
- Photos, if you have them
Don’t have all of it? Send what you’ve got. We’ll figure out the rest together.
FAQ
Is a custom crate more expensive than a standard one? Upfront, often yes. But a crate built for your product uses the right amount of material and protects it better, which can save on freight and damage.
Are corrugated crates cheaper than wood? It depends on the product. Corrugated crates like EcorrCrate are lighter, which can lower shipping costs, and they’re easy to recycle. We’ll tell you honestly which one fits.
Can I reuse a custom crate? Yes, if it’s built for it. Let us know upfront and we’ll design it to handle multiple trips.
How long does a custom crate take? It depends on the design and quantity. Reach out with your deadline and we’ll tell you what’s realistic.
So, What Will Yours Cost?
The fastest way to find out is to ask. Tell us what you’re shipping and where, and we’ll build a crate around it. No guesswork, no surprise line items.
