Packaging Cost Calculator
Most sellers underestimate packaging by half because they count only the box. Break down every component: box or mailer, tape, void fill, tissue, stickers, thank you cards, inserts, shipping labels, poly bags, and pack labor. Get materials per package, total per order, monthly and annual cost, and packaging as percent of AOV to see where to simplify.
Instant calculations · Editable fee assumptions · Export-ready results
Inputs
Values update results instantly. Adjust fee assumptions to match your seller dashboard.
Materials
Box, poly mailer, or rigid mailer per unit
Tape per package estimate
Bubble wrap, kraft paper, air pillows
Clear garment bag or protective sleeve
Branding
Tissue paper, wrapping
Branded sticker or label per package.
Thank you card per package.
Coupon, sticker, sample
Shipping
Thermal label cost per package.
Volume
Orders per month.
Labor
Minutes to pack one order
Hourly wage for packing labor.
Reference
For cost as percentage context
Results
Live estimates based on your inputs and editable fee assumptions.
Materials per package
$1.56
Sum of all material components.
Labor per package
$0.60
Minutes times hourly rate.
Total cost per package
$2.16
Materials plus labor.
Monthly packaging cost
$432.00
Per package times orders.
Annual packaging cost
$5,184.00
Monthly times 12.
Packaging as % of AOV
6.2%
Total per package divided by AOV.
What this means
Materials $1.56 + labor $0.60 = $2.16/pack. 200 orders = $432/mo, $5184/yr, 6.2% of $35 AOV.
Packaging cost breakdown per order
Interactive breakdown of fees, costs, and remaining profit.
Distribution
- Box + fill + tape$0.9845.4%
- Branding$0.5525.5%
- Labels$0.031.4%
- Labor$0.6027.8%
Total $2.16 · 4 segments · interactive
Line-item breakdown
Dollar amounts, share of revenue, and visual proportion.
- Box/maller
- $0.65
- Tape
- $0.08
- Void fill
- $0.15
- Tissue
- $0.20
- Sticker
- $0.05
- Thank you card
- $0.12
- Insert
- $0.18
- Shipping label
- $0.03
- Poly bag
- $0.10
- Materials per package
- $1.56
- Labor per package
- $0.60
- Total per package
- $2.16
- Monthly total
- $432.00
- Annual total
- $5,184.00
- As % of AOV
- 6.2%
Assumptions used
- • Materials $1.56 = sum of 9 components
- • Labor $0.60 = 2min/60×$18.00
- • AOV $35.00 for % context
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Packaging Cost Calculator
Generated 8/4/2026, 2:49:38 PM · Currency USD
Inputs
- Box, poly mailer, or rigid mailer per unit: 0.65
- Tape per package: 0.08
- Void fill cost per package: 0.15
- Tissue paper or gift wrap: 0.2
- Branded sticker or label: 0.05
- Thank you card cost: 0.12
- Branded insert cost: 0.18
- Shipping label cost: 0.03
- Poly bag or protective sleeve: 0.1
- Monthly orders: 200
- Packing time minutes per package: 2
- Hourly labor rate: 18
- Average order value (for % context): 35
Results
- Box/maller: $0.65
- Tape: $0.08
- Void fill: $0.15
- Tissue: $0.20
- Sticker: $0.05
- Thank you card: $0.12
- Insert: $0.18
- Shipping label: $0.03
- Poly bag: $0.10
- Materials per package: $1.56
- Labor per package: $0.60
- Total per package: $2.16
- Monthly total: $432.00
- Annual total: $5,184.00
- As % of AOV: 6.2%
Interpretation
Materials $1.56 + labor $0.60 = $2.16/pack. 200 orders = $432/mo, $5184/yr, 6.2% of $35 AOV.
How it works
Methodology & formulas
This calculator is transparent by design. Review the steps and formulas so you can trust the estimate and adjust assumptions when your dashboard differs.
Calculation steps
- 1Add every physical component the buyer touches to get true materials cost.
- 2Convert minutes to hours for labor cost per package.
- 3Multiply by volume for monthly and annual views.
- 4Divide by AOV to contextualize packaging as percent of revenue.
Formulas
- materials = box + tape + void + tissue + sticker + card + insert + label + poly
- labor = minutes/60 × hourlyRate
- totalPerPack = materials + labor
- monthly = totalPerPack × orders
- annual = monthly × 12
- pctOfAOV = totalPerPack / AOV × 100
Important assumptions
- Materials per package sums box, tape, void, tissue, sticker, card, insert, label, poly.
- Labor per package = laborMinutes/60 × hourlyRate.
- Total per package = materials + labor.
- Monthly = totalPerPackage × monthlyOrders.
- Packaging % = totalPerPackage / avgOrderValue × 100.
Worked example
Branded DTC packaging breakdown
Box $0.65 + tape $0.08 + void $0.15 + tissue $0.20 + sticker $0.05 + card $0.12 + insert $0.18 + label $0.03 + poly $0.10 = $1.56 materials. Labor 2min × $18/hr = $0.60. Total $2.16 per pack. 200 orders = $432/mo, $5,184/yr. At $35 AOV = 6.2%.
FAQ
Common questions
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