FAQs

Yes, we can provide packaging advice. You can find expert hints, tips, and advice in our packaging blog.

If you’d like some face to face time with one of our experts contact us or find your closest Macfarlane Packaging distribution centre. We can visit your site to complete a packaging review, help you decide what packaging you need and even help you reduce costs!

Yes, we can help you with all sorts of custom packaging. We can provide free estimates, help with bespoke packaging sizes, design and print.

Visit our custom packaging page to learn more!

The size of the cardboard box or boxes you need will depend on the size of your product(s).

It’s important to remember that the size of cardboard boxes stated is usually the internal dimensions – so you can see if you will fit your product. The dimensions are usually given in millimeters and are usually displayed in order of length x width x height (or depth).

A short guide to how to measure a box can be found on our blog.

How you recycle packaging will depend on the type of packaging you are using.

For example, if you are using cardboard boxes, they are widely recycled at kerbside. We would advise removing all plastic tape or document wallets from a cardboard box before it’s recycled.

For other products, recycling might not be as straightforward. That’s why we give all our catalogue products an Environmental Impact Rating. The rating gives you information about recycling, recycled content and the material type, so you can make an informed decision about the packaging you choose and how it’s disposed of.

You can also check out our guide to recycling packaging here.

There are several ways you can place an order with Macfarlane Packaging.

• Shop online – if you’re looking to buy packaging straight away, head to our online shop.
• Order with your local Macfarlane Packaging branch – if you’re an existing customer or want to speak to someone local, speak to your nearest Macfarlane regional distribution centre. Our RDCs can take orders via phone and email.
• Use our e-trading portal – if you’re registered to use our e-trading portal Simplicit.e, you can log on to place your order here.

The above applies to our UK customers. If you’re outside the UK, see question “Can I place an order from overseas?”.

You will be sent an order acknowledgement from either the website, RDC or our e-trading platform, depending on the channel you placed your order. (See question above).

Macfarlane Packaging delivers in the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe.

If you’re shopping in Ireland, please use our Irish website or speak to our regional distribution centre in Wicklow.

If you’re in Continental Europe, please contact our Macfarlane Europe team with your enquiry.

Yes, Macfarlane Packaging does deliver overseas. In addition to delivering in the UK, we can also deliver packaging supplies across Ireland and Continental Europe.

To see more about our European locations, click here.

We do not deliver outside of Europe.

There is not a monetary minimum order value. Some of our products are sold individually (in eaches) but most are sold by pack if you are ordering from our catalogue range.

For example, 1 pack of boxes could contain 25 units. Where sold by the pack, the minimum order quantity is usually 1 pack.

If you have placed a custom packaging enquiry, you will be advised of a minimum order quantity when you receive your packaging estimate.

Packaging is a quantity sensitive product.

If you buy online via our web shop, many of the products are already set up to offer bulk discounts depending on the number of packs you buy. In this instance, bulk prices are automatically applied when you add products to your cart.

If you’re purchasing from one of our regional distribution centres they can advise if any economies of scale can be offered on the packaging suppliers you’re buying.

If you’ve placed an order with us before, we can provide you with your order history. See how you can see your order history below:

• If you buy via our website – you can log in to see your order history.
• If you buy via our regional distribution centres – your account contact provide you with your order history. Contact your local branch.
• If you buy via our e-trading platform – if you use Simplciti.e, our e-trading platform, you can log on there to see your order history.

You can see Macfarlane Packaging’s terms and conditions by clicking here.

You can see Macfarlane Packaging’s privacy policy here.

All information you provide to us is stored on secure servers.

We have appropriate security measures in place to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. We have also put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach.

All data you provide us with is stored in accordance with data protection law and GDPR. See our privacy policy for more information.

Yes, you can unsubscribe from marketing at any time. Simply email marketing@macfarlanepackaging.com to confirm your preferences. If you receive marketing emails you can also choose to opt out by clicking the unsubscribe link contained with in the emails.

There are different ways you can pay for your packaging supplies:

• If you buy on our website – if you buy online you can checkout via your online account. If you don’t have an account yet, you will be prompted to create one before proceeding with your order. You can also create one here. We accept the following payment methods on our website: Cheque, Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Visa Electron and Debit Cards, PayPal and credit accounts payments (subject to status). Read our terms and conditions for more information.
• If you buy via our regional distribution centres – when trading with our local branches, if you have a trade account set up you can provide a Purchase Order and then make payment in line with your credit terms. You can opt to pay via bank transfer, cheque or credit and debit card.
• If you use our e-trading platform – if you are an existing customer and use our free e-trading platform, Simplicit.e, invoices will automatically appear on your account and can trigger an automated payment if you sign up for the self-invoicing and payment suite.

Yes, you can apply for a trade account with Macfarlane Packaging. The type of trade account you need will depend on which channel you use to transact with us:

• If you are buying from our website and are a business representative that spends at least £500 a year on packaging, you can register for a trade account with us. Signing up for our trade account is quick and easy and will allow you to access a host of benefits, including reward points, custom priced products, and support from a dedicated account manager.
• If you are a customer purchasing through our regional distribution centres you can apply for credit terms when you open your account. You can also ask about using our e-trading platform Simplicit.e. By opening an e-trading account, you gain a 24/7 access to all your packaging needs, including the ability to place orders, view your order history, invoices and monitoring your packaging material usage. If you would like to sign up, speak to your account manager.

This will depend on how you place your order.

• If you use our e-trading platform, Simplicit.e, your invoices will automatically appear on your account. You can also request for them to be sent to you via email.
• Customers purchasing via our regional distribution centres (RDCs), can contact their Account Manager or local branch to receive their invoice.
• If you buy packaging directly from our website, you will be able to view and download your invoice(s) from your online account.

Yes, you can get a copy of an invoice from a past order.

If you have signed up for our e-trading platform, Simplicit.e, you will be able to view and download your past invoices from your account.

Customers buying from our regional distribution centres can contact their Account Manager or local branch to request a copy.

If you purchased from our website, log in to your online account to view and download your past invoices. If you need assistance, please get in touch.  

How much you will pay for your delivery will depend on the delivery type (standard or next business day) and your order value.

We offer free delivery for orders over £150 or €150 if you order from one of our regional distribution centres or via our e-trading platform.

If you order via our online shop, we offer free standard delivery on orders over £150 (excluding VAT) placed via our website that are shipped to UK Mainland destinations. Free standard delivery is also available in Ireland on orders over €150. This is subject to our terms and conditions. Website orders below this value will be subject to delivery fees. Read more here.

If you are an existing customer who buys through our regional distribution centres (RDCs), contact your Account Manager or local branch to find out about their specific cut-off times – they may vary from branch to branch.

If you are buying from our UK website, we must receive your order before 3.00pm for it to qualify for next business day delivery (subject to stock availability). Orders received after 3.00pm will be processed and despatched the following business day. Please note that orders received after 3.00pm on Fridays and before 3.00pm on Mondays will be processed on the Monday. Find out more here.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer next day delivery on orders placed on our Irish online shop at this time.

Orders placed via our website will be delivered by Tuffnells, our carefully selected and reputable third-party courier. You can track your order here.

Orders placed via our e-trading platform Simplicit.e or one of our regional distribution centres will be delivered by our own fleet of over 150 vehicles, ranging from 3 tonne to 40 feet articulated lorries.

Macfarlane Packaging can deliver packaging supplies across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe.

We primarily deliver packaging supplies across the UK through our network of Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs), as well as Ireland and Continental Europe.

Follow this link to locate your nearest UK distribution centre, or click here to view our European locations.

Yes, in addition to our UK operation, we have distribution centres in Ireland and throughout Continental Europe.

We also work with several third-party logistics (3PL) partners located on the continent to provide full packaging distribution coverage across Europe. Follow this link to view our European sites or click here to learn more about our services in Continental Europe.

We do not deliver packaging outside of the specified areas.

At Macfarlane Packaging, we recognise our obligation to operate sustainably and invest in our business to reduce our environmental impact. We have set targets for reducing our carbon emissions and are focused on implementing initiatives that help our customers achieve their sustainability objectives. Follow this link to find out more more about our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.

Yes, Macfarlane Packaging is working towards achieving ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 registration at all its sites. You can view and download our current ISO certificates from the About section of our website.

Follow this link to view our sustainability goals and find out more about our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.

At Macfarlane Packaging, we provide eco-friendly packaging products that use the minimum amount of material possible, are recyclable and use recycled content (where feasible), while ensuring appropriate transit protection.

We can help you with environmentally friendly packaging materials that reduce waste in your supply chain and lower your carbon emissions. Click here to see how we can work with you to reduce you carbon footprint through optimised packaging, our approach to eco-friendly packaging and the types of sustainable packaging products we can provide.