Where to easily find moving boxes? 15 quick tips

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I’ve finally found the home of my dreams, my moving checklist is slowly filling up, and my flat is clearing out of all those useless things I’ve accumulated over the years...

It’s finally time to start packing!

But, of course, I threw away all my boxes when I moved in. 

Oops.

No worries, though—it’s just a small hurdle before I start my new life. 

Finding moving boxes is surprisingly easy with the tips that I gathered from some of the best movers available on Yoojo.

Free moving boxes: the best tips, for real!

You’ll be swimming in boxes with all the tips I’m going to give you!

Why pay when you can get boxes for free? Beyond the savings—especially if you need a lot of boxes—reusing your neighbour’s boxes is an eco-friendly gesture for the planet.

Here are the best tips to find boxes without much effort... or almost none!

Use the power of social media

Why do the hard work when others can do it for you?

Thanks to social media, I’ve found moving boxes from the comfort of my sofa. This is particularly true on Facebook, which has a marketplace where lots of boxes are exchanged.

Let me explain.

Ask your friends and family for help in exchange for a favour

The first step in your social media journey is using your network of friends.

Every day, I post a message asking if someone can check their attic or garage for empty boxes.

And to sweeten the deal, I like to offer something in return... Success guaranteed:

Post in local Facebook groups

On Facebook, you’ll find loads of local groups where people give away or exchange items rather than throw them away. It’s the perfect place to find free boxes.

To find these groups, just search Facebook with keywords like:

• boxes + CITY
• free boxes + CITY
• give boxes + CITY
• donate + CITY
• swap + CITY
• exchange + CITY
• freebies + CITY
• CITY + free

There are loads of groups where locals exchange boxes, and you can always post your own request if you need some urgently:

Don’t be afraid to extend your search to nearby towns if needed. If you get too many results, just filter by "groups".

You can also try other social networks—if you maximise your chances, you’ll easily find some boxes.

The best businesses that give away boxes : you just have to ask!

You probably already know that some shops will happily give you their boxes as it helps them get rid of them. But not all shops are equal in this regard.

For example, everyone raids the boxes from supermarkets... it’s likely you’ll leave your local Tesco or Sainsbury’s empty-handed!

Here’s a list of the best places to ask for boxes and how to do it:

1. Your local wine shop

Your local wine shop receives dozens, if not hundreds, of boxes every week. It’s a great idea that not many people think of (they prefer supermarkets). Call ahead and ask if they have any spare boxes... and maybe buy a bottle of wine to say thanks!

2. Florists

You might not know it, but florists receive many flowers and plants in large boxes they no longer need once their floral arrangements are done.

This is the perfect opportunity to grab some boxes and pick up a bouquet for your mum!

3. Eco-friendly shops

There’s no shop more likely to recycle than zero-waste, bulk-buy, ethical, and eco-friendly stores. 

Like any other shop, they receive their products in boxes and will be happy to give them to you. Plus, you can do your shopping while you’re there!

4. Home décor and sports shops: perfect for large boxes

If you’re after large boxes, I recommend heading to home décor or sports shops. Everything displayed in-store was delivered in boxes that the shop owners need to dispose of!

It’s the perfect way to find those big boxes you regret throwing away, which will be incredibly useful for electronics, office chairs, and other bulky items.

5. Restaurants and fast food places

Restaurants receive loads of boxes every week, just like supermarkets, and it’s often a hassle for them to get rid of them.

In fact, by taking them, you’re doing them a favour.

Plus, you can grab a bite to eat while you’re at it... who could say no?

6. Recycling centres: a last resort!

It’s not the most romantic option, but this is where many boxes end up. If you visit your local recycling centre or sorting centre, you’ll likely find plenty of boxes waiting for you. You can easily find them on Google Maps.

In the same way, you can also take a look around recycling bins. 

Sometimes, there's no more space inside, and people leave their boxes next to the bin... free for the taking, and it's right near your home.

Technically, you’ll find boxes in nearly every shop and business around you… they’re everywhere. 

However, you might need special boxes for some items that you won’t find for free, and you’ll need to buy them.

I’ll explain everything!

Buying moving boxes: why, how, and where?

Free boxes are great, but they won’t cover everything. 

Some items won’t fit in a standard box, and others need special boxes if you want to avoid breakages.

Here, I’ll explain which boxes to buy and where to find the best deals without breaking the bank.

Which types of boxes should you buy?

As mentioned earlier, there’s no need to buy a ton of boxes, as you can easily find plenty for free. Plus, most of your belongings can be transported in standard boxes.

However, there are two situations where you might need to buy boxes:

• You don’t want to spend hours scouring the neighbourhood
• You have items that require special boxes

Sure, you could wrap everything five times in bubble wrap, but it’s better to invest in some special boxes.

The table below will help you choose the right box from your favourite store.

Where to buy affordable moving boxes? With price examples

You don’t need to spend a fortune on boxes, I’ve done the research for you! Discover where to shop, both online and in-store.

Here are some price examples so you know what to expect.

Buying second-hand boxes: an extra tip!

Your boxes don’t always need to be new. In most cases, even if they’re a bit damaged, a good roll of tape will be enough to fix them up.

Facebook has an excellent Marketplace where you can find cheap boxes.

Just set your location and type "boxes" into the search bar to find some for just a few pounds.

Buying new in-store: who offers what?

Prefer new boxes? Have a very specific need? No problem! You can also buy new boxes at places like IKEA ! 

IKEA :
Website
Products : 3-5 references
Prices : from £0.80 per box

The Swedish giant offers a little bit of everything, though not a huge selection of boxes. However, it’s a practical store if you need bags for clothes or more durable storage than cardboard.

Local box stores: they still exist!

Prefer face-to-face shopping over online? There are still specialised moving box shops in major UK cities. 

Conclusion: finding moving boxes is easy with the right tips

And that’s it! If you haven’t found any boxes after reading this guide, you probably haven’t looked very hard.

You should now have everything you need to pack up your entire home. Now all that’s left is to move!

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