Frequently Asked Questions – CoolSeal Packaging
Product basics
What are CoolSeal boxes made of?
CoolSeal boxes are made of corrugated polypropylene (PP5), a plastic that does not absorb water. The edges are heat-sealed, and the plastic, glues, and inks are all recyclable. The boxes ship flat, fold by hand, and can be printed with your branding.
Benefits of reusable corrugated plastic boxes
What is sealed edge technology?
Sealed edge technology means CoolSeal heat-seals the open flutes (the hollow channels inside corrugated plastic) along every cut edge. The seal keeps water, dirt, dust, and oils out of the board, makes the box easier to clean and reuse, and adds strength.
Benefits of reusable corrugated plastic boxes
What sizes do CoolSeal seafood boxes come in?
Stock seafood boxes range from 5 lb to 50 lb. Fish boxes come in 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 lb, plus a 13 kg size. There are also 10 and 20 lb fillet boxes and a salmon box. Shellfish boxes include #10 and #20 leakproof boxes, a #10 draining box, and a 20# shellfish box. Stock fish boxes are white and unprinted. Inside and outside dimensions are on the Seafood Box Standard Sizes flyer.
What sizes are CoolSeal CSA crop boxes?
CoolSeal CSA crop boxes come in three stock sizes: 1/2, 3/4, and 1-1/9 bushel. They ship flat in bundles of 25. A custom 1-1/2 bushel size is also available, and no stock box is smaller than 1/2 bushel.
| Size | Inside dimensions (L x W x H) | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 bushel | 16" x 9" x 7.5" | 1,080 cubic inches |
| 3/4 bushel | 16" x 9" x 11.5" | 1,656 cubic inches |
| 1-1/9 bushel | 17.5" x 11.75" x 11.675" | 2,400 cubic inches |
What produce can I pack in CoolSeal crop boxes?
CoolSeal's three stock crop boxes are not limited to one type of produce. They can serve growers of leafy greens, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mangoes, avocados, and sweet potatoes, and they work for mixed CSA shares and farmers market transport.
Ordering and shipping
What is the minimum order for CoolSeal boxes?
Minimums depend on the product. Stock seafood boxes start at 1 pallet. CSA crop boxes start at 1 bundle of 25 boxes. Custom orders start at 10,000 units for seafood boxes and 1,400 units for agricultural boxes.
How much do CoolSeal CSA crop boxes cost?
CSA crop boxes start at $6.32 each for the 1/2 bushel size in quantities of 100 or fewer. The price per box falls as quantity rises. Prices do not include freight, which is FOB at the dock in Perrysburg, Ohio.
| Size | 100 or fewer | 125 to 575 | 600 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 bushel | $6.32 | $5.78 | $5.27 |
| 3/4 bushel | $6.88 | $6.32 | $5.73 |
| 1-1/9 bushel | $7.44 | $6.91 | $6.29 |
Can I order CoolSeal boxes online?
Yes, for CSA crop boxes. Bundles of 25 are sold in the online store: $158 for 1/2 bushel, $172 for 3/4 bushel, and $186 for 1-1/9 bushel. Seafood, custom, and pallet orders go through a quote request.
How long does it take to get CoolSeal boxes?
Stocked boxes ship in 2 to 7 days. Custom designed or printed boxes take 3 to 5 weeks, depending on the project. Transit time depends on the carrier and your destination.
Does CoolSeal offer free samples?
Yes. CoolSeal sends free samples of stocked boxes, up to 5 per request, and pays the shipping. Samples let you test fit, strength, and packing on your own line before you order.
Where does CoolSeal ship?
CoolSeal ships across North America from Perrysburg, Ohio. We can arrange freight to Canada and Mexico, and customers can pick up orders at the plant. CSA box orders of 100 or fewer ship by UPS, 125 to 575 by UPS or LTL carrier, and 600 or more by LTL carrier. Freight is quoted separately.
Custom printing
Can CoolSeal print my logo on boxes?
Yes. CoolSeal prints one-color flexographic UV graphics in house and has multi-color capability. Small digital print runs are available through CoolSeal's printing partner. Printing puts your logo and product information on the box all the way to your customer.
What artwork files does CoolSeal need?
Send DXF or AI files. If you do not have either, send a high-resolution image. CoolSeal sends a proof for your approval before ordering any print plates or die plates. Setup fees depend on the project.
What is the minimum order for custom printed boxes?
Custom printed seafood boxes start at 10,000 units, and custom printed agricultural boxes start at 1,400 units. Digital printing through CoolSeal's printing partner supports smaller runs. Custom printed orders take 3 to 5 weeks. Small CSA programs can use branded labels or stickers instead.
Food safety and complianceAre CoolSeal boxes food safe?
Yes. CoolSeal boxes comply with FDA food contact regulations (21 CFR 177.1520), and CoolSeal USA provides a written FDA letter of guarantee. The sealed edge also closes the open flutes, so dirt and moisture cannot collect inside the board.
Technical information and downloads
Does CoolSeal have an FDA letter of guarantee?
Yes. CoolSeal USA's FDA Letter of Guarantee, dated January 2, 2026, states that products it sells comply with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and that its facility operates under the 21 CFR Part 123 Seafood HACCP regulations. It also covers the Bioterrorism Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, and the Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and says a documented food safety program is kept on file. Ask for a copy.
How does CoolSeal keep its plant contamination free?
CoolSeal USA's contamination-free letter, dated January 2, 2026, says the plant runs a pest control program performed weekly by Orkin, keeps food in the lunch area, maintains machinery to prevent lubricant run-off, and traces raw material to the time of receipt and its source. It states the packaging is free of nanoparticles, synthetic fumigants, fungicides, and pesticides, and references CONEG hazardous packaging laws and RoHS documentation.
Seafood shipping
Can I pack fish in ice in CoolSeal boxes?
Yes. CoolSeal boxes are built for ice-packed shipments. Polypropylene does not absorb meltwater and keeps its strength when wet, so the box stays rigid on ice. For air freight, check your carrier's rules: Alaska Air Cargo, for example, does not allow wet ice and recommends gel packs or properly marked dry ice.
Fish shipping boxes | Alaska Air Cargo seafood rules
What is the difference between leakproof and draining seafood boxes?
A leakproof box seals everything inside, including meltwater, which is the right choice for air freight. A draining box has permanent drain slots that let meltwater run off during transport while the product stays in place. Some operations use both, depending on the shipment.
Do I need a liner in CoolSeal boxes?
No. You can safely pack fresh protein in CoolSeal boxes without a clear plastic liner. By contrast, Alaska Air Cargo requires waxed corrugated (wet-lock) boxes to be sealed in a 4-mil polyethylene liner, which adds cost and labor.
Fish shipping boxes | Alaska Air Cargo seafood rules
Can I ship seafood by air in CoolSeal boxes?
Airlines set their own packaging rules, so confirm with your carrier before you ship. CoolSeal's leakproof one-piece boxes hold all meltwater inside, which is what carriers look for. Most carriers do not accept wet ice and prefer gel packs or marked dry ice. Alaska Air Cargo, for example, generally limits seafood shipments to 100 lb.
Fresh seafood boxes | Alaska Air Cargo seafood rules
How do CoolSeal boxes compare with waxed corrugated and Styrofoam?
CoolSeal boxes are reusable, keep their strength when wet, and ship flat. Waxed corrugated softens when wet, and Styrofoam can crack and shed beads. Traditional wax-coated boxes are also generally not accepted in standard cardboard recycling, and Alaska Airlines does not accept Styrofoam for seafood checked as baggage.
| Feature | CoolSeal (PP5) | Traditional Waxed Corrugated | Styrofoam (EPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength when wet | Holds its shape | Softens | Can crack |
| Ships flat | Yes | Yes | No |
| Liner needed | No | Yes for air freight: 4-mil polyethylene (Alaska Air Cargo) | Varies by carrier |
| Recycling | PP5 recyclable | Generally not accepted | Limited |
Fresh seafood boxes | Alaska Air Cargo, Alaska Airlines baggage rules, Earth911 on waxed cardboard
Do independent tests show corrugated plastic boxes keep fish cold?
Yes. In an independent trial by the UK's Sea Fish Industry Authority (report CR192, December 2002), haddock fillets packed with ice in a Tri-pack Plastics corrugated plastic box averaged 0.4 degrees C over 72 hours in a controlled 2 degree C chilled chain. That compared with 0.0 degrees C in polystyrene and 0.6 degrees C in single-walled fibreboard. The authors found all boxes held fish close to 0 degrees C in a controlled chain, and advised more insulated boxes such as polystyrene in an uncontrolled chain.
Produce and CSA boxes
Why are CSA farms replacing waxed produce boxes?
Waxed boxes are built for single or limited use. Wash water, condensation, and cold storage weaken them until they fail, so farms keep rebuying boxes through the season. CoolSeal crop boxes do not absorb water, keep their shape in cold storage, and can be reused. Waxed cardboard is also seldom accepted by recycling programs.
CSA crop boxes | Earth911 on waxed cardboard
How many times can a CSA crop box be reused?
CSA customers report 15 to 20 or more uses per box in closed-loop programs. Boxes are usually replaced because they are not returned, not because they wear out.
What does a CSA crop box cost per use?
A 3/4 bushel crop box at $6.32 (the 125 to 575 quantity price) works out to about $0.32 to $0.42 per use over 15 to 20 uses, before freight. The cost per use keeps falling each time the box comes back and is used again.
Cleaning, reuse, and recycling
How do I clean and sanitize CoolSeal boxes?
Wash with a detergent first, rinse, then sanitize, and repeat on a regular schedule, such as weekly for CSA boxes. CoolSeal lists these food-safe options: sodium hypochlorite (bleach), hydrogen peroxide, detergents and soaps, and certified organic sanitizers. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) gives this general guidance for plastic containers:
Keep the cleaning temperature below the softening point of the plastic.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents such as white spirit.
Discard cracked or badly scratched containers.
Follow the cleaner's label. Solutions of 1 to 2 percent are usually enough, and stronger is not better.
Rinse with plenty of clean water.
Never mix detergents with sterilizers. Bleach mixed with an acid can release dangerous fumes.
CSA crop boxes | FAO, Cleaning in the Fish Industry
Are CoolSeal boxes recyclable?
Yes. CoolSeal boxes are PP5 (polypropylene, resin code 5), and the plastic, glues, and inks are all recyclable. Recyclers that process PP5 purify used polypropylene into resin that manufacturers can extrude into new plastic. Local acceptance varies, so ask your recycler before you drop boxes off.
Benefits of reusable corrugated plastic boxes
What does closed-loop mean at CoolSeal?
At CoolSeal, closed-loop means the plant takes scrap from extruded plastic, regrinds it on site, and uses it to make new plastic. It does not mean CoolSeal takes back used boxes. CoolSeal does not take boxes back, so send used boxes to a recycler that accepts PP5.
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