Quick Answer
Fish totes and fish boxes are sized by fish weight, and the standard steps in North America are 10 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb, 70 lb and 100 lb (roughly 15–90 liters). Distribution and retail delivery mostly run on 25–70 lb boxes with a footprint that tiles a 48 × 40 in pallet; dockside bulk handling uses 300–800 lb insulated totes. Size for fish + ice + headspace, not fish alone: plan about 1 lb of ice per lb of fish for refrigerated hauls and up to 2:1 for warm-weather or unrefrigerated transport.
Standard Fish Tote & Fish Box Sizes
Sizes below are typical industry dimensions for single-trip and limited-reuse fish boxes. Exact outer dimensions vary by maker; what matters for buyers is the fish capacity, the pallet footprint, and whether the box drains melt-water safely.
| Nominal size | Typical inner dimensions (L × W × H) | Approx. volume | Fish + ice load | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb box | 15 × 10 × 6 in (38 × 25 × 15 cm) | ~15 L | 10 lb fish + ice | Fillets, portioned retail, air freight samples |
| 25 lb box | 19 × 12 × 8 in (48 × 30 × 20 cm) | ~30 L | 25 lb fish + ice | Fresh fillets and whole small fish, distributor delivery |
| 50 lb box | 23 × 15 × 10 in (58 × 38 × 25 cm) | ~55 L | 50 lb fish + ice | Whole fish, wholesale, the most common “fish box” |
| 70 lb box | 27 × 16 × 11 in (69 × 41 × 28 cm) | ~70 L | 70 lb fish + ice | Salmon and larger whole fish, processor-to-market |
| 100 lb box | 30 × 18 × 12 in (76 × 46 × 30 cm) | ~90 L | 100 lb fish + ice | Bulk whole fish, short hauls, two-man lift |
| Bulk insulated tote | 48 × 43 × 26–43 in | 300–800 L | 300–800 lb | Dockside offload, processing plants (rigid PE, forklift) |
Dimensions are typical, not universal — OEM makers (including Fuxing) build to your exact internal dimensions and drain-hole layout.
Pallet math
On a standard 48 × 40 in GMA pallet, 25 lb boxes typically tile 8 per layer, 50 lb boxes 5–6 per layer, and 70 lb boxes 4–5 per layer. Corrugated plastic boxes hold their stacking strength when wet, so processors normally stack 6–8 layers of loaded 50 lb boxes; wet cardboard loses most of its compression strength and usually limits stacks to 4–5 layers.
How much ice?
- Refrigerated truck, under 24 h: ~1 lb ice per lb of fish.
- Unrefrigerated or warm weather: up to 2 lb ice per lb of fish.
- Headspace: leave 10–15% of box height for top ice and lid clearance.
- Drainage: melt-water must drain away from the fish — specify drain holes or a false bottom.
Material Comparison: EPS Foam vs Waxed Cardboard vs Corrugated Plastic
The 25–70 lb distribution sizes come in three main materials. The right choice depends on trip length, reuse plans, and what your receiver can recycle.
| Property | EPS foam box | Waxed cardboard box | PP corrugated plastic box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof / soak-proof | Yes | Partly (coating only) | Yes |
| Insulation | Best | Poor | Moderate (air cells; add liner for long hauls) |
| Reusable | No (breaks, contaminates) | No | Yes — multiple trips, rinseable |
| Recyclable at receiver | Rarely accepted | No (wax blocks repulping) | Yes (PP resin) |
| Wet stacking strength | Low–moderate | Low when wet | High, unaffected by water |
| Freight (empty, nestable/flat) | Bulky | Ships flat | Ships flat |
| Printable branding | Limited | Yes | Yes (screen/flexo) |
| Indicative cost per trip* | Low–mid (single use) | Low (single use) | Lowest over 3+ reuses |
*Single-trip prices vary by size and volume; corrugated plastic costs more per box but less per trip once reused. See our full cost breakdown in the waxed boxes vs corrugated plastic guide.
When each material wins
- EPS foam: long unrefrigerated hauls and air freight where insulation matters most.
- Waxed cardboard: lowest upfront cost — but landfill fees and lost repulping value are pushing many receivers away from it.
- PP corrugated plastic: cold-chain trucking, reuse loops between dock, plant and market, and receivers that want a recyclable, soak-proof box with wet stacking strength.
Spec Checklist Before You Order
- Capacity: fish weight + ice ratio + 10–15% headspace.
- Footprint: must tile your pallet (48 × 40 in US standard) with minimal overhang.
- Wall thickness: 3–5 mm PP corrugated sheet is typical for 25–70 lb fish boxes; heavier loads or repeated reuse call for 5 mm+ or edge reinforcement.
- Drainage: drain holes sized and placed so melt-water leaves without draining onto boxes below.
- Food contact: ask for food-grade virgin PP resin and certificates (Fuxing plants hold ISO 9001/14001, SGS and FSC certifications).
- Print: brand, species, catch area, handling icons — one-color screen print is cheap at volume.
- Origin & duties: US buyers — corrugated plastic boxes from China and Vietnam carry AD/CVD duties in 2026. Philippine-made boxes are outside the scope of those orders (standard 19% reciprocal tariff still applies). Details in our Philippines sourcing guide.
FAQ
What sizes do fish totes come in?
Standard steps are 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 lb (about 15–90 L). Dockside bulk totes run 300–800 lb. Distribution mostly uses 25–70 lb boxes that tile a 48 × 40 in pallet.
How much ice do I need per pound of fish?
About 1:1 ice-to-fish for refrigerated hauls under 24 hours, and up to 2:1 for longer or unrefrigerated transport in warm weather. Size the box for fish plus ice plus headspace.
Are corrugated plastic fish boxes reusable?
Yes — PP corrugated boxes are waterproof, rinseable and typically survive multiple trips. They are also recyclable as PP resin at end of life, unlike waxed cardboard.
What is the difference between a fish tote and a fish box?
“Tote” usually means a rigid reusable dockside container; “box” usually means a lighter single-trip or limited-reuse shipping box (EPS, waxed cardboard, or corrugated plastic). In the 25–70 lb sizes the words are often used interchangeably.
Can fish boxes be printed with my brand?
Yes. Corrugated plastic takes screen and flexo printing well, and OEM makers can match your exact dimensions, wall thickness and drain layout at moderate MOQs.
Where can I buy corrugated plastic fish boxes if tariffs are a concern?
In 2026 the US applies AD/CVD duties to corrugated plastic boxes from China and Vietnam. Philippine-made boxes are outside the scope of those orders, though the 19% reciprocal tariff still applies. Fuxing Group ships PP corrugated fish boxes from its Philippine plants to US ports.
Need Fish Boxes Built to Your Spec?
Fuxing Group manufactures food-grade PP corrugated fish boxes and totes at plants in the Philippines and Vietnam — custom sizes, drain layouts and printed branding, with direct shipping to US ports.
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