Styrofoam shipping box, EPS cooler and foam cooler (English)
A styrofoam shipping box is an insulated box made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that keeps chilled or frozen products at temperature during transport. At Cooled Solutions every EPS box comes with a matching lid, made in our own production since 1972 and available directly from stock. This guide explains the names, the sizes and what to look at before you order.
What is a styrofoam shipping box?
EPS stands for expanded polystyrene. In Dutch it is called piepschuim, the older brand name is Tempex, and in English it is called styrofoam. It is one lightweight white plastic that consists of about 98% air and 2% polystyrene.
The air is what makes it work. The material is built from millions of small closed cells, so heat can hardly pass through. An EPS cooler therefore behaves like a thick sweater: it holds the temperature inside, whether that is cold or warm. That is why you find the EPS foam cooler in every corner of the cold chain, from fish and meat to medicines.
EPS cooler, foam cooler or insulated shipping box: the same thing?
An EPS cooler and an EPS foam cooler are English names for a box that you fill, close with its lid and send off. A foam cooler is the short form. An insulated shipping box is the broader term: it can also mean a box made of cardboard with insulation or of another material.
The box in this article is made of EPS. If you want a box that you take with you again and again, for example to a market or on a boat, have a look at our EPS coolers per piece. If you ship larger quantities, the EPS boxes in the main range come with pallet prices.
Sizes of our insulated styrofoam shipping box range
Our range runs from a compact 4.7 litre box to a 173 litre box. The table shows a selection with the outer size, the inner size, the wall thickness and the number of boxes on a full pallet. Always look at the inner size: with a wall of 50 mm, the space inside is much smaller than the outer size suggests.
| Volume | Outer size (mm) | Inner size (mm) | Wall thickness | Per pallet (pieces) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 L | 300 x 200 x 200 | 240 x 140 x 140 | 30 mm | 200 |
| 5 L | 300 x 200 x 155 | 270 x 170 x 120 | 15 mm | 360 |
| 10 L | 400 x 300 x 200 | 330 x 230 x 140 | 35 mm | 100 |
| 12 L | 400 x 300 x 155 | 365 x 260 x 125 | 20 mm | 160 |
| 20 L | 500 x 400 x 160 | 460 x 360 x 120 | 20 mm | 90 |
| 30 L | 600 x 400 x 300 | 500 x 300 x 200 | 50 mm | 35 |
| 45 L | 600 x 400 x 400 | 500 x 300 x 300 | 50 mm | 25 |
| 173 L | 800 x 600 x 650 | 680 x 480 x 530 | 60 mm | 6 |
Several sizes are also available with and without drain holes, such as the 5 litre and the 12 litre box. Drain holes let melt water run away, which is useful for fish. A box without drain holes keeps liquid inside. The complete range, including all other sizes, is listed on the page with our EPS box products.
How to choose an insulated styrofoam shipping box
Look at three things.
- Wall thickness. The thicker the wall, the longer the contents stay at temperature.
- Volume. A box that is half empty lets air move around and cools less well.
- Drain holes. Boxes with drain holes suit fish, because melt water runs away. A box without drain holes keeps liquid inside.
How long a box stays cold in practice depends on the outside temperature, the amount of coolant, and the length of the journey. A thin walled box of 20 mm keeps products cool for roughly eight to twelve hours, while a thick walled box of 40 to 50 mm reaches 24 to 48 hours with gel packs. Tell us what you ship and how far it travels, and we help you choose the wall thickness.
Using your EPS box with coolant
An EPS box holds cold, it does not make cold. For chilled or frozen shipments you need a coolant. That can be ice packs or hard cooling elements. Place the gel packs on top of the product, because cold air sinks and cools the contents evenly. Fill the box tightly so there is as little air left as possible.
For extra protection during transport, a matching cardboard outer box is available for several sizes. The EPS box is also reusable, which is why it is common with food companies and web shops. If you are comparing materials, read our Dutch article on EPS or EPP or the comparison with honeycomb boxes in EPS dozen vs honingraad koeldozen.
Frequently asked questions about the styrofoam shipping box
Is the lid included with the insulated shipping box?
Yes. Each EPS box is delivered with a matching lid. A separate lid is only available on request.
Can I use an EPS foam cooler for medicines?
Our boxes are suitable for shipping medicines and other temperature sensitive products. The right size and wall thickness depend on your product, the transport time and the temperature you need to hold. We are happy to advise on the size.
Do you make sizes that are not in the standard range?
We have a large number of existing moulds. If your product does not fit a standard size, ask for a quotation and we will look for a solution together.
Order your styrofoam shipping box
Do you know the size you need? Browse all our styrofoam shipping box and EPS cooler sizes, made in our own production and available from stock. If you cannot decide between two sizes, contact us. We are happy to help.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary (in Dutch).
