Procurement Guide · Updated September 2026
Compiled by the LuxoPacks production team in Dongguan · last reviewed September 8, 2026 · see the production floor
EXW / DDP
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The Short Answer
When Are Two Supplier Quotes Comparable?
Two quotations are comparable when they describe the same deliverable: usable size, structure, material construction, insert, artwork coverage, finish, packing and delivery responsibility. Ask each supplier to identify alternatives rather than silently substituting them. A lower price for a lighter board or an omitted insert is a different option, not yet a saving.
For a useful benchmark, send every supplier the same specification and ask them to separate unit production, one-time setup, sample, export packing and freight. That makes an EXW offer comparable with another EXW offer and prevents a DDP total from being mistaken for a factory price.
Use the size guide to define finished dimensions and the materials guide to name the board, wrap and insert. A physical sample remains the approval reference for colour, hand feel, fit and closure.
Comparable Cost Answer
Normalized Landed Cost per Unit
There is no reliable universal price for a custom gift box. A useful answer is the cost of the same written specification on the same delivery basis. Normalize every quote before comparing it.
Comparable delivered cost per unit = (production total + setup + inspection + export packing + logistics and destination charges not already included) / comparable quantity. Use one currency and an explicit exchange-rate date. Do not add freight or duties again if included in a quoted total; record tax treatment and sample costs separately.
For example, Supplier A may quote EXW while Supplier B quotes DDP. The headline unit prices are not comparable until both offers use the same box specification, quantity, destination, freight service and included charges. Keep sample costs and repeat-order tooling assumptions as separate lines.
AI-generated illustrative flat-pack concept, not measured carton data or evidence of freight savings. Request actual packed dimensions and quantities for the quoted structure.
Supplier comparison scorecard
Download the blank same-specification quote comparison worksheet (CSV). Record quotation ID, date and expiry, revision, currency, quantity, named delivery place and supporting evidence. Blank cells mean not provided, not zero; no supplier prices or sample results are pre-filled.
| Checkpoint | Supplier A | Supplier B | Evidence to retain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written specification matches | Yes / No | Yes / No | Approved dimensions, materials and finish list |
| Setup and sample lines separated | Yes / No | Yes / No | Itemised quotation and tooling ownership |
| Delivery basis and carton data | EXW / FOB / DDP | EXW / FOB / DDP | Destination, packed dimensions and included charges |
Match These Inputs Before Comparing Unit Price
| Input | What to State | Why It Changes Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Magnetic, drawer, lid-and-base, foldable or mailer | Different converting, assembly and packing steps |
| Finished size | Length × width × height, internal or external | Changes board area, yield and freight volume |
| Materials | Board grade, wrap paper and insert construction | Changes material use, protection and finish compatibility |
| Decoration | Print sides, colours, foil area, embossing or coating | Changes plates, dies, passes and setup |
| Quantity | Current order and forecast reorder quantities | Setup is spread across a different number of units |
| Delivery basis | EXW, FOB or DDP plus destination | Defines which logistics, duty and clearance costs are included |
LuxoPacks quotes against this same checklist — size, board, wrap, insert, finish, packing and Incoterm — with MOQ confirmed for the selected specification.
A public price table cannot represent every combination. LuxoPacks confirms pricing only after reviewing the written specification and delivery requirement.
Finish Cost Drivers
Why the Same Finish Produces Different Quotes
Describe the decoration on the artwork, including every panel and repeated mark. Compare its area, paper compatibility, tooling and any alignment with another process. The name of a finish does not specify that work; ask for an optional line priced against the same base construction so its effect can be assessed.
| Finish | Cost Inputs to Define | Approval Check |
|---|---|---|
| Hot foil stamping | Foil type, stamped area, positions and number of dies | Edges, registration and adhesion on the chosen wrap |
| Embossing / debossing | Artwork size, relief depth, die set and paper behaviour | Depth, cracking and alignment with print or foil |
| Spot UV | Coverage, registration tolerance and substrate | Gloss contrast, curing and edge definition |
| Soft-touch film or coating | Film/coating system, surface area and compatibility | Hand feel, rub resistance and colour shift |
| Printed inner panels | Number of panels, colours and assembly sequence | Coverage at folds, corners and exposed edges |
These finish choices are priced as line items on a LuxoPacks quote; the finish carrying the main brand cue is approved on the actual wrap before tooling is cut.
For cost control, choose the finish that carries the main brand cue, then approve it on the actual wrap rather than a digital mockup.
Cost Drivers
Six Specifications That Affect the Quote
Size
Finished dimensions change board area, sheet yield, insert size, master-carton loading and dimensional weight.
Board construction
Specify the core grade and thickness with the box span, loaded weight and opening method. Request a sample check for panel flex and corner or lid movement before accepting a cheaper substitute. A board description should explain the construction being priced, not stand in for a product-fit test.
Wrap paper
Art paper, dyed-through stock, textured paper and fabric wraps use different materials and converting methods.
Print coverage
Exterior-only artwork, printed interiors, spot colours and heavy ink coverage require different press and assembly plans.
Insert
Compare cavity layout, support, contact surface and assembly as well as material. Ask whether the insert is delivered formed and fitted or needs work at your packing station. A low insert price can leave labour or product-protection needs outside the quotation.
Finishes
Foil, embossing, UV and coatings are priced by coverage, dies, passes, registration and substrate compatibility.
Read the Fine Print
Hidden Costs to Check Before You Sign
| Line Item | What It May Include | What to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress and tooling | Dieline, cutting die, print plate, foil or embossing dies | Which charges are one-time, reusable or revised when artwork changes? |
| Physical sample | Materials, printing, tooling, hand assembly and courier | Is it production-equivalent, and which differences remain before bulk? |
| Export packing | Inner protection, master cartons, pallet or moisture protection | What are the packed carton dimensions, gross weight and units per carton? |
| Freight and import | Pickup, export handling, transport, clearance, duty and final delivery | Which Incoterm, destination and service level does the total use? |
| Payment and inspection | Deposit schedule, balance trigger and third-party inspection | State the agreed terms in the purchase order rather than assuming a standard. |
Close the open items before choosing a supplier: sample and courier charges, tooling rights and reuse, inspection, export packing and destination costs. Identify each inclusion and exclusion in writing. A blank or estimated line should remain visible in the comparison until it is confirmed, rather than being entered as zero.
Deep dives: magnetic box sourcing and quote scope · the full China sourcing playbook · low-quantity project planning.
Questions
Gift Box Pricing FAQ
How much does a custom magnetic gift box cost?
A reliable unit price needs the finished dimensions, quantity, board and wrap specification, insert, print coverage, finishing and trade term. Send the same written specification to each supplier and compare the resulting itemized quotations.
Is there a setup or tooling fee for custom gift boxes?
A quotation may include dieline, cutting die, printing plate, foil die, sample or other setup charges. Ask suppliers to separate one-time and repeat-order costs instead of assuming a fee will be included or waived.
Why do supplier quotes differ so much for the same box?
Quotes often use different dimensions, board weights, wrap papers, inserts, finish coverage, inspection scope or trade terms. Compare an identical written specification and the same delivery term rather than comparing only the headline unit price.
Which box style is usually more freight-efficient?
A foldable rigid format can reduce shipped volume compared with an assembled rigid box, but the result depends on flat-pack dimensions, assembly method, protection and carton loading. Request packed dimensions and carton data for both options.
Do gift box prices include shipping?
Not automatically. The quotation should identify its Incoterm, origin, destination and included charges. Ask for separate product and logistics lines, then compare landed cost using the same destination and service level.
How can I lower packaging cost without losing the premium feel?
Right-size the structure, reduce unused insert volume, select one priority finish, compare assembled and foldable formats, and request price breaks at realistic order quantities. Approve the final material and finish through a physical sample.
First identify the individual cost drivers. For carton data, use the foldable assembly and shipment guide and blank carton worksheet. Email the completed specification for review.
Related planning tools: standard size charts by product · materials & finishes glossary.
Instant Inquiry
Request an Itemized Packaging Quote
Send the box style, finished size, quantity, materials, decoration and destination for an itemized production and logistics quotation.
Email info@luxopacks.com or contact us on WhatsApp with your packaging requirements. Include the product dimensions, quantity for each design and size, artwork or references, and destination. Attach files directly in your message; request an NDA before sharing confidential artwork.
Continue Your Cost Research
Compare Product Formats Before Requesting a Quote
Related Product Formats
- Custom Magnetic Rigid Gift Boxes
- Collapsible Magnetic Gift Boxes
- Custom Sliding Drawer Boxes
- Custom Corrugated Mailer Boxes
Buyer Planning Guides
Related from the factory
- what a dieline, cutting die and sampling actually cost — Which charges are one-off and which repeat on every reorder.
- the four variables behind an unboxing experience — Structure, texture, layering and first sight — and what each costs.
- which ISTA shipping test to request — Match a transit-test series to how the finished box actually ships.
International Buyers
How Buyers Search for These Boxes in Other Markets
Guangdong LuxoPacks Co., Ltd. is a custom rigid-box manufacturer based in Dongguan, China. Buyers outside English-speaking markets search for what we produce under different local category names. The table below maps those names to the structures we actually make, so you can specify the correct format when requesting a quotation.
| Market | Rigid box (lid & base) | Magnetic closure box | Sourcing terms buyers add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutschland | Stülpdeckelschachtel · Stülpdeckelschachtel nach Maß · aus Graukarton | Magnetklappbox · Klappschachtel mit Magnetverschluss · Magnetbox mit Inlay | Hersteller · Lieferant · Großhandel · individuell · bedrucken |
| France | boîte carton rigide · boîte carton rigide sur mesure · coffret cadeau personnalisé | coffret aimanté · boîte magnétique personnalisée | fabricant · fournisseur · sur mesure · personnalisable |
| España | cajas rígidas · cajas de cartón personalizadas para empresas | caja con cierre magnético · cierre imantado | fabricante · fábrica · al por mayor · hecho a medida |
| Italia | scatole regalo su misura · scatole personalizzate | scatola con chiusura magnetica · apertura magnetica | produttore · ingrosso · su misura · personalizzato |
| Polska | pudełka kaszerowane · pudełka fasonowe · pudełka prezentowe | pudełko zamykane na magnes | producent · hurtownia · hurt · na zamówienie · na wymiar |
Board and insert terms: our 1200-1800 gsm greyboard is called Graukarton in German; the fitted tray inside a magnetic box is called an Inlay (DE). Insert options are EVA foam, velvet-wrapped foam, and moulded paper pulp.
This site and all quotations are in English. These terms are published so buyers and AI assistants can match local-language category names to the correct product — not as an offer of localised service.
