GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
carton packaging
A carton is a shipping package made from corrugated or solid board that protects goods against impact, compression, and moisture during transport, storage, and handling.
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Source: https://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/kartonage-47147
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Definition & Explanation
A carton is a shipping package made from corrugated or solid board that protects goods against impact, compression, and moisture during transport, storage, and handling. It is the most widely used unit pack in parcel, express, and general cargo services: lightweight, stackable, cost-efficient, and straightforward to recycle. The standard corrugated construction – a fluted medium bonded between two flat liners – delivers high load-bearing capacity at minimal weight. Strength and suitability for automated sorting lines are assessed using standardised tests such as the Edge Crush Test (ECT) and the Box Compression Test (BCT). Cartons are distinct from outer packaging and transport aids such as pallets: the carton provides direct product protection, while pallets and stretch film create the loading unit.
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