Transportation & Logistics
Reliable Corrugated Pickup & Delivery
Getting boxes from point A to point B should not be complicated. Seattle Boxes operates a dedicated fleet covering the entire Puget Sound region — with same-day capability, bulk hauling capacity, and the flexibility to work around your schedule.
What We Offer
Logistics Services for Every Need
Box Pickup
We come to your facility and collect surplus, used, or recyclable corrugated boxes. Our crew handles all loading from your dock, staging area, or warehouse floor. Free pickup for qualifying volumes within our standard service area.
Box Delivery
Purchased boxes delivered directly to your dock, warehouse, or jobsite. Orders arrive palletized and shrink-wrapped for efficient unloading. Liftgate service available for locations without dock access.
Bulk Hauling
Full truckload capacity for large-volume moves — warehouse cleanouts, facility relocations, production overruns, and seasonal inventory surges. Flatbed, box truck, and 53-foot trailer options available.
Recurring Routes
Scheduled weekly or bi-weekly service for businesses with consistent corrugated flow. Locked-in route days, dedicated driver familiarity with your facility, and simplified invoicing.
Emergency / Same-Day
Urgent corrugated needs do not wait. Same-day pickup and delivery available within our core service area for orders confirmed before 10:00 AM. Next-day service guaranteed for orders confirmed by 2:00 PM.
Bale & Roll-Off Service
For high-volume recycling accounts, we provide roll-off container placement, swap-outs, and bale pickups. Containers available in 20, 30, and 40 cubic yard sizes with scheduled or on-call servicing.
Service Area
Covering the Greater Seattle Region
Our service area spans from Bellingham in the north to Olympia in the south, and east to Ellensburg. Service levels, delivery times, and minimums vary by zone.
Core Zone
Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, Shoreline
Same-day service available. No delivery minimums.
Extended Zone
Tacoma, Everett, Redmond, Kirkland, Federal Way, Auburn, Lynnwood, Bothell
Next-day service standard. Minimums may apply for free delivery.
Regional Zone
Olympia, Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Centralia, Ellensburg, and surrounding areas
Scheduled route days. Truckload minimums for free delivery.
Delivery Time Expectations by Zone
| Zone | Same-Day | Next-Day | Standard | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Zone | Available | Guaranteed | 1-2 business days | 10:00 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Extended Zone | Case-by-case | Available | 2-3 business days | 2:00 PM |
| Regional Zone | Not available | Case-by-case | 3-5 business days | Schedule in advance |
Our Fleet
Right-Sized Vehicles for Every Job
We match vehicle size to your load, keeping costs efficient and minimizing unnecessary fuel consumption. Our fleet ranges from nimble 16-foot box trucks to full 53-foot trailers.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Pallets | Best Use | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-ft Box Trucks | Up to 6,000 lbs / 800 cu ft | 4-6 pallets | Local deliveries, small-to-medium pickups, and liftgate-accessible locations. | Gasoline (12-14 MPG) |
| 26-ft Box Trucks | Up to 12,000 lbs / 1,600 cu ft | 10-12 pallets | Standard pickup and delivery. Handles most single-location orders. | Diesel (8-10 MPG) |
| Flatbed Trucks | Up to 20,000 lbs / 48 ft deck | 20-24 pallets | Pallet loads, bale transport, and oversized corrugated products. | Diesel (6-8 MPG) |
| 53-ft Trailers | Up to 44,000 lbs / 3,400 cu ft | 24-26 pallets | Full truckload hauling for bulk operations, facility cleanouts, and inter-facility transfers. | Diesel (5-7 MPG) |
Loading & Handling
Comprehensive Loading Services
Dock Loading/Unloading
Standard service for facilities with dock doors. Our crew uses your dock plates and our pallet jacks to efficiently move palletized loads. Typical dock load/unload takes 15-30 minutes for a full truck.
Liftgate Service
For locations without dock access, our trucks equipped with hydraulic liftgates lower pallets to ground level. Available on 16-ft and 26-ft box trucks. Additional $25 per delivery.
Inside Delivery
We place boxes in your designated storage area rather than leaving them at the dock. Our crew hand-trucks or pallet-jacks material to your specified interior location within a reasonable distance (up to 100 ft from dock).
Floor Loading
For loose (non-palletized) box pickups, our crew hand-loads material from your warehouse floor into our truck. We bring hand trucks, dollies, and the manpower to get it done efficiently.
Forklift Service
For locations without forklift capability, we can bring a truck-mounted forklift for palletized loads. Ideal for construction sites, temporary facilities, and locations without material handling equipment.
Container Swap-Out
For roll-off container customers, we swap full containers for empties during scheduled service calls. Swap-outs take approximately 15-20 minutes. We can also perform compactor pulls for customers with on-site compaction equipment.
Special Capabilities
Special Handling Capabilities
Fragile/Delicate Boxes
Premium and specialty boxes that require careful handling to maintain their grade. Our crew is trained to handle high-value reuse inventory without causing damage.
Wet or Contaminated Loads
Corrugated with moisture or contamination that requires containment during transport. We use liner tarps and containment measures to prevent cross-contamination.
Oversized Items
Pallet boxes, octabins, and non-standard containers that exceed typical box truck dimensions. Flatbed transport with securing straps and weather protection.
Temperature-Sensitive
Waxed corrugated from refrigerated environments that must not be exposed to heat during transport. Scheduled for early morning or covered transport.
Multi-Stop Routes
We consolidate multiple pickups or deliveries on shared routes to reduce per-stop costs. Ideal for businesses with multiple facilities in the same metro area.
After-Hours Service
Pre-arranged after-hours pickup or delivery for facilities that cannot accommodate trucks during standard business hours. Requires advance scheduling and key/access arrangements.
Pricing
What Determines Transportation Cost
We price transportation transparently based on six factors. Many of our clients pay nothing for transportation because it is bundled into their box buying, selling, or recycling service agreement.
Distance
Mileage from our facility to your location is the primary cost driver. Core zone deliveries start at $45, with per-mile rates applied for extended and regional zones.
Vehicle Type
Larger vehicles cost more to operate. A 16-ft box truck run costs less than a 53-ft trailer deployment. We match vehicle size to your load to minimize cost.
Load Size & Weight
Partial loads are priced per pallet or by weight. Full truckloads receive flat-rate pricing that represents the best per-unit transportation cost.
Service Speed
Standard (2-3 day) service is our lowest rate. Next-day adds a small premium. Same-day service carries the highest surcharge due to routing disruption.
Loading Requirements
Dock-accessible locations with forklift support are standard. Liftgate service, inside delivery, and non-dock locations may incur additional fees.
Service Bundling
Transportation costs are often reduced or eliminated when bundled with box buying, selling, or recycling services. Ask about bundled pricing for your account.
Local vs. Freight
Local Delivery vs. Freight Carrier
Not sure whether to use our local fleet or a freight carrier? Here is a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which option fits your specific shipment.
| Factor | Local Fleet (Seattle Boxes) | Freight Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Single-metro deliveries under 200 miles | Inter-city or cross-state shipments over 200 miles |
| Typical Cost | $45-$350 per trip | $500-$2,500+ per shipment |
| Speed | Same-day to 2-3 business days | 3-7 business days typical |
| Load Handling | Our crew loads and unloads | Dock-to-dock, you handle loading/unloading at origin |
| Tracking | Driver phone contact, 30-min arrival notice | BOL tracking, carrier-dependent updates |
| Flexibility | 2-hour delivery windows, reschedule same-day | Fixed dates, limited flexibility after dispatch |
| Vehicle Size | 16-ft truck to 53-ft trailer | LTL or FTL carriers, 53-ft standard |
| When to Use | Regular Seattle-area pickups and deliveries | Bulk one-time moves, inter-facility transfers outside metro area |
Pallet & Volume Capabilities
We handle corrugated in every format — loose, palletized, baled, or containerized. Here is what our standard vehicles accommodate:
- Palletized boxes: Up to 26 standard pallets (48x40) per 53-ft trailer, double-stacked when dimensions permit.
- Loose boxes: Floor-loaded by our crew to maximize cubic capacity. Typical 26-ft truck holds 1,200-2,000 boxes depending on size.
- Bales: Standard OCC bales transported on flatbed or in enclosed trailers. Up to 22 bales per 53-ft trailer (approximately 24,000 lbs).
- Gaylords: Up to 20 gaylords per 26-ft truck, nested or stacked depending on condition.
Packaging Requirements for Transport
To ensure your material arrives in the same condition it was loaded, here are our packaging and preparation recommendations:
- Palletized loads: Shrink-wrap or stretch-wrap pallets to prevent shifting. We provide shrink-wrap at our facility for outbound orders at no charge.
- Loose boxes: Flatten and stack when possible. This maximizes truck capacity and reduces per-unit transport cost.
- Wet material: Notify us in advance if material has moisture exposure. We will bring containment tarps and appropriate equipment.
- Weight limits: Standard pallets should not exceed 2,500 lbs. Heavier pallets require forklift handling and may affect vehicle assignment.
Eco-Friendly Fleet
Sustainable Transportation
Transporting recyclable materials with gas-guzzling trucks undermines the environmental mission. We are actively investing in fleet efficiency and emissions reduction across every metric that matters.
15-20%
Fuel reduction from GPS route optimization vs. static routing
85%
Average vehicle load utilization — minimizing empty-run miles
30%
Trips consolidated via multi-stop routing each month
50%
Fleet low-emission target by 2028
Fleet Sustainability Initiatives
- Route optimization: GPS-based routing software minimizes miles driven per load, reducing fuel consumption by an estimated 15-20%.
- Load consolidation: Multi-stop runs reduce total trips by combining pickups and deliveries on shared routes.
- Idle reduction: All vehicles equipped with automatic idle shutoff and driver training on fuel-efficient practices.
- Vehicle replacement plan: Transitioning to low-emission and electric vehicles. Goal: 50% low-emission fleet by 2028.
- Preventive maintenance: Strict maintenance schedules keep engines running at peak efficiency, minimizing emissions from poorly tuned vehicles.
- Right-sizing: Matching vehicle size to load prevents sending a 53-ft trailer when a 16-ft truck will do, saving fuel and reducing road impact.
Service Guarantees
Service Level Agreements
We back our service commitments with defined SLAs. If we miss a commitment, you receive automatic credits or fee waivers — no need to ask.
| Service | SLA Commitment | If We Miss |
|---|---|---|
| Same-Day Pickup | Pickup within 4 hours of confirmation (before 10 AM) | Service fee waived if SLA missed |
| Next-Day Pickup/Delivery | Service completed by end of next business day | 20% discount on next service call |
| Standard Delivery | Delivered within 3 business days of order confirmation | Delivery fee refunded if SLA missed |
| Recurring Route | Service on designated route day, within 2-hour window | Monthly service credit for missed windows |
| Roll-Off Swap | Container swap within 24 hours of request (business days) | No rental charges during delay period |
| Emergency Service | Response within 2 hours, execution within 4 hours | Emergency surcharge waived if SLA missed |
Scheduling
How to Schedule Service
Request Service
Contact us via form, phone, or email with your pickup or delivery needs, preferred date, and location details (dock height, access restrictions, hours of operation).
Confirmation
We confirm availability, assign a vehicle and crew, and send you a confirmation with your scheduled window (typically a 2-hour window for standard service).
Day-Of Communication
Your driver contacts you 30 minutes before arrival. Real-time ETA updates available by text or phone for time-sensitive deliveries.
Execution
Our crew loads or unloads at your facility. Weigh tickets, BOLs, and delivery receipts provided on-site. Photos documented for all pickups.
Transportation FAQ
Common Questions About Logistics
Is pickup really free?
Yes — for qualifying volumes within our service area. Box buying pickups are free when you meet our minimum quantities (200 boxes, 20 gaylords, or 5 OCC bales). Recycling collection is free for accounts generating 1+ ton per month. For sub-minimum quantities, a modest trip charge applies, or you can drop off at our facility at no cost.
What if my location does not have a loading dock?
No problem. Our 16-ft and 26-ft box trucks are equipped with hydraulic liftgates that lower pallets to ground level. We also offer inside delivery where our crew places boxes at your specified location. We serve businesses in office parks, retail strips, construction sites, and residential storage facilities daily.
Can I track my delivery?
Our drivers provide a 30-minute advance call or text before arrival. For time-sensitive deliveries, you can request real-time ETA updates. We do not currently offer GPS tracking portals, but plan to implement web-based delivery tracking in the future. For recurring route customers, your designated route day and approximate window provide reliable predictability.
How do I prepare my boxes for pickup?
Ideally, flatten boxes and stack or palletize them near your dock or accessible area. However, we understand that not every business can prep material in advance. Our crew will pick up boxes in whatever state they are in — stacked, loose, palletized, or scattered across your warehouse. The more accessible the material, the faster we can complete the pickup.
Do you deliver outside the Seattle metro area?
Yes. Our regional zone covers Olympia to Bellingham and east to Ellensburg. For deliveries outside this area, we can arrange freight carrier service or truckload direct-haul for large orders. Contact us with your location and we will provide a custom logistics quote.
What happens in bad weather?
We operate in all weather conditions typical of the Pacific Northwest. Heavy rain, wind, and cold do not delay our service. In the rare event of severe weather (ice storms, heavy snow, road closures), we communicate proactively and reschedule as quickly as conditions allow. Our covered trucks protect your material from weather during transport.
Need Boxes Moved?
From a single pallet to a full truckload, we have the fleet and the crew to get it done. Contact us to schedule your pickup or delivery.