Gift boxes & packaging

Gift boxes and packaging in South Africa: prices and rules

Updated 3 November 2026

In South Africa a plain gift box costs about R 2 to R 25 each, and a printed or ribbon-tied box about R 65 to R 200. Prices fall per unit when you order in quantity, and some suppliers offer bulk options, so give the number of boxes when you ask. For offers on your size and quantity, describe the order on BlaBlaPrice.

Packaging rules and food boxes

National packaging rules cover four material streams: metals, glass, paper and plastics, as set out in the government packaging guideline. If the box will hold food or cosmetics, the packaging must be functional, safe and must not harm or alter the product, and the foodstuffs and cosmetics regulations apply. Ask the supplier which materials it uses before you order.

Warranty and consumer rights

The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud explains that every item you buy has an automatic 6-month warranty that it complies with the requirements of the law, in addition to any written warranty. This applies to gift boxes as well as other goods. Ask the supplier for its terms in writing if you order printed or custom boxes.

Season and deadlines

Summer runs from December to February, and December is the main gift month, so the packaging must be ready before the holiday rush. November is the time to confirm lead times for printed or logo orders. Winter (June to August) is the cooler half of the year.

How it is bought here

Listings give sizes in millimetres or centimetres, and many boxes are sold per each while others come in packs of 10. Compare the unit price, not the pack price, before you choose. Confirm delivery to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha and the courier fee, because some suppliers sell mainly to retailers and events.

What to write in your request

Say the packaging type, the dimensions in millimetres, the quantity and the material. Add the colour, whether you need a logo, the deadline, your delivery city and your budget. Mention if the boxes will touch food or cosmetics, because that changes which materials are suitable.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the boxes in a chat, and the AI asks for missing details such as size, quantity and deadline. It then looks through suppliers' websites and price lists in South Africa and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their own offer, price and lead time, and your contact details stay hidden until you choose to share them. Buying is free. For related items, see gifts or corporate gifts, or start on the home page.