Empty chocolate boxes with inserts are a popular gift packaging item in the UK for home bakers, small confectionery businesses, and gifting businesses alike. Whether you’re packaging truffles as a wedding favour, creating a subscription box, or picking stock for a market stall, the cost of these boxes will play a large part in the price of your product. Here’s what you can expect to pay, what changes the price and how to spend less without overspending on boxes.
What Are Empty Chocolate Boxes with Inserts?
An empty chocolate box with an insert is actually a two-part packaging solution. The outer box (which is usually made of rigid cardboard, kraft paper, or folding carton board) forms the shape and presentation while the insert is shaped tray (usually made of plastic, moulded pulp, or thick cardboard) that sits inside the box and creates separate cavities for each chocolate. This prevents the chocolate from moving, melting into each other, or getting damaged in transit.
These boxes are sold empty so buyers can fill them with their own handmade or brand chocolates. This makes them popular for small businesses that want professional packaging, without having to make a custom run.
What does an empty Chocolate Box with Insert cost in the UK?
On average, empty chocolate boxes with inserts uk can be purchased for around £0.07 per box in bulk in the UK, but prices rise depending on size, material, and design complexity. Boxes with a basic content of 6 to 9 chocolates tend to be on the cheaper side of the scale, while larger boxes with a capacity of 16, 24 or customized chocolates are priced much higher.
Retail or small-quantity purchases (under 50 units) are more expensive per box (£0.50 – £2.50), as there is still not the economies of scale to bring the price down. Businesses ordering hundreds or thousands of boxes can bring the cost per unit right back to £0.07, especially if they order standard sizes and in plain or lightly-branded finishes.
What Factors Affect the Price of Chocolate Boxes with Inserts?
Does Box Size Change the Cost?
Yes, size is one of the biggest cost drivers. A box for 6 chocolates will always be cheaper than a box for 24, because it uses less board and a smaller insert. If you’re on a tight budget, choosing a smaller box or grouping multiple compartments into one larger box (instead of several small boxes) can help you save on the cost of packaging a single chocolate.
How Does the Insert Material Work?
Yes. Plastic inserts, particularly clear PET or PVC trays, are the cheapest and typically come in standard shapes. The more eco-friendly options, such as pulp or moulded fibre inserts, can cost more by way of production. Cardboard dividers are the cheapest option but may offer less protection than a moulded tray and may not be suitable for small or irregularly shaped chocolates.
How Does Order Quantity Affect Pricing?
Buying in bulk is the most efficient way to lower your price per box. Most suppliers offer tiered pricing, meaning that the price per unit falls as your order volume increases. A business that orders 100 boxes may pay more per unit than a business that orders 5,000 boxes because the setup and material costs are spread over a larger batch.
Is Branding or Printing an Additional Cost?
Yes, customization such as custom printing, foil stamping, embossing or window cut-outs can add to the cost of an empty box. If you only require boxes that are unbranded, then you pay a third more than the base price. Nevertheless, many UK suppliers, including specialist companies like The Printed Packaging, can print a small business logo or brand colour without a massive added cost, if ordered with a standard insert size.
What Does the Final Price Contain?
Shipping costs can increase your total bill, particularly if you are ordering bulk items. UK suppliers generally have better delivery rates and faster turnaround times than overseas suppliers, even if their basic price per unit is slightly higher. So check whether delivery is included or additional. This could make you choose the cheaper deal.
Where Can You Buy Empty Chocolate Boxes with Inserts in the UK?
Empty boxes with inserts can be purchased from packaging wholesalers, confectionery shops, or online retailers. Many UK suppliers sell sample packs to enable you to test box quality and fit of inserts before purchasing bulk quantities. It is worth asking for pricing based on what you anticipate ordering, as “starting from” prices usually only apply to the largest orders.
Is It Cheaper to Buy Boxes and Inserts Separately?
Yes, sometimes buying the outer box and insert tray separately can save you money, especially if you have your preferred box style and just need a matching insert. But for most small businesses, purchasing a box-and-insert set is easier, allows you to customize the box, and is not very expensive when adjusting for matching costs.
How Can You Reduce the Cost of Empty Chocolate Boxes with Inserts?
There are several things you can do to reduce your packaging spend, including:
- Ordering in bulk for lower pricing per unit.
- Standard sizes over custom dimensions.
- If boxes are plain, then use a ribbon or stickers to give it your logo instead of full printing.
- Comparing multiple UK suppliers before you place a large order.
- Buying box and insert sets together to avoid mismatched sizes and wasted stock.
Final Thoughts
The price of empty chocolate boxes with inserts for bulk, standard orders starts from £0.07 per unit, and rises to more than £0.07 per unit for larger quantities, premium materials, or custom branding. This is essential to knowing when to expect your boxes to be, so you can budget properly, and choose packaging that is best suited to the product and the price. Compare prices from a few UK suppliers, check bulk discounts, and decide early on whether branding is important to you in order to find the best value without sacrificing presentation. Read more: Custom Fast Food Boxes