You can usually get free moving boxes from local community groups, retail stores, and online “free stuff” boards, often within a day or two if you start looking now.

Top places to check

  • Local grocery stores and big-box stores (Walmart, Target, Costco): Ask at customer service or in the stocking area; they break down shipping boxes daily and often give them away if you request them before they are compacted.
  • Liquor stores and wine shops: Their boxes are sturdy and great for books and fragile items, and many stores are happy to let you take them after deliveries.
  • Apartment complexes: Check with the front office or at designated recycling areas where recent movers leave their boxes.

Online and community “free” spots

  • Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups: Search “free moving boxes” and also post a “wanted” request in neighborhood or Buy Nothing–style groups.
  • Craigslist “Free” section and Freecycle: Many people list stacks of used moving boxes after a move, asking only that you pick them up promptly.
  • Neighborhood apps like Nextdoor: People frequently give away moving boxes there; posting once can get you more boxes than you need.

Moving companies and shipping services

  • U-Haul “Take a Box, Leave a Box” bins: Many locations keep an area where customers leave gently used boxes that anyone can take for free.
  • Local moving companies: Some keep used boxes they’re willing to give away or sell cheaply if you call and ask about recycled supplies.
  • Big-box office supply or hardware stores: Even if they mainly sell new boxes, staff may have spare shipping cartons in the back.

Smart tips when picking boxes

  • Prioritize clean, dry, sturdy boxes with intact corners and flaps; avoid any with signs of pests, moisture, or strong odors.
  • Use small boxes for heavy items like books and records, and larger boxes for lighter things like clothes and linens so the boxes are easy to lift.
  • Bring a box cutter, tape, and a marker so you can quickly flatten, sort, and label boxes as you collect them.

TL;DR: Search neighborhood apps and “free” sections (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle), ask grocery/liquor/big-box stores for leftover shipping cartons, and check U-Haul’s leave-a-box area and local movers for used boxes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.