Moving expenses can quickly add up, whether you're moving across town to another Fort Lauderdale neighborhood or heading out of state. To help reduce unexpected costs and stick to your moving budget, use this guide to find cheap or free boxes in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

When you're preparing for a move, make sure to weigh the pros and cons of buying new boxes vs. looking for free ones. The best option will depend on your needs.

If you're moving on short notice or simply want to find boxes quickly and easily, purchasing new boxes is a good choice. New boxes are clean, sturdy, and uniformly sized, making packing, stacking, and loading a moving truck much easier.

On the other hand, finding used moving boxes in Fort Lauderdale can be more cost-effective, allowing you to allocate more of your budget toward other expenses. In addition to cutting costs, opting for used cardboard boxes supports sustainability by reducing waste.

Find How Many Moving Boxes You Need 📦

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Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Fort Lauderdale

Check out Fort Lauderdale grocery stores, liquor stores, recycling centers, retailers, and online exchange groups to help you source boxes at no cost.

Online Exchanges in Fort Lauderdale

Turn to online marketplaces in Fort Lauderdale for free or cheap moving boxes and supplies! Check out listings on Facebook Marketplace Fort Lauderdale and in Facebook groups like Fort Lauderdale Buy, Sell, Trade, South Florida Buy Sell and Barter, and Fort Lauderdale Marketplace, Florida to find boxes at little or no cost. You can also try community platforms like Nextdoor Fort Lauderdale and Craigslist Broward County to connect with Fort Lauderdale residents who are getting rid of moving boxes and packing supplies. Remember to choose a public meeting place and bring a friend for extra security when participating in online exchanges! You can also reach out to friends and family on your own social media channels and ask them to save any boxes they receive from online orders.

Liquor Stores in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale liquor stores are another great option for finding free moving boxes! Liquor store boxes are strong enough to carry heavy bottles, making them sturdy containers for packing glasses, dishes, and other fragile items. Some of these boxes may even have built-in dividers to help keep items securely in place during transit. Reach out to liquor stores like Total Wine, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, and Crown Wine & Spirits to see if they have any cardboard boxes available.

Grocery Stores in Fort Lauderdale

Reach out to one of the grocery stores in the Fort Lauderdale area for free, sturdy moving boxes. Cardboard boxes from grocery stores come in various sizes, are made to resist minor impacts, and may come with built-in handles, making them easier to carry. Contact your nearest Trader Joe's, Publix Super Market, or Whole Foods Market to see if they can set any boxes aside for you—and remember to inspect the boxes for stains, pests, or structural damage to ensure they are safe for your belongings.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Fort Lauderdale

Local recycling centers in the Fort Lauderdale area may have boxes that you can use for your move—but it's best to call ahead before visiting. Try checking with places like the Wilton Manors recycling drop-off center to see if they'll allow you to take free boxes. When picking up cardboard boxes from a recycling center, take the time to inspect them for stains, durability, and pests. Additionally, since recycling centers usually require boxes to be flattened beforehand, you may need to reassemble and reinforce them with tape before using them.

Other Stores & Retailers in Fort Lauderdale

Check out other Fort Lauderdale retailers and convenience stores for free moving boxes. Businesses often receive large inventory shipments and may have excess cardboard boxes that are perfect for transporting your belongings. Try contacting nearby stores like Barnes & Noble, Ross Dress for Less, or HomeGoods to see if they have any boxes for you.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Fort Lauderdale

Affordable moving boxes are available for purchase at Fort Lauderdale storage facilities, home improvement stores, and more. Moving box costs vary by size, type, and retailer, but prices typically range from around $1.00 to $8.99.

Please note that listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.

Walmart

You can purchase moving boxes from Walmart, which has one location in Fort Lauderdale. Walmart's moving boxes range in size from 17x11x13 for $1.00 to 27x15x17.5 for $2.10. They also sell other moving supplies, such as packing paper, bubble cushion, and furniture covers.

Home Depot

Moving boxes from Home Depot range from 17x11x11 for $1.78 to 24x20x21 for $3.78. With one location in Fort Lauderdale, this home improvement store also sells moving tools such as packing paper, bubble wrap, and packing tape.

Office Depot

Office Depot has boxes in various sizes, from 6x6x6 at $1.89 to 20x20x24 at $8.99. There are two Office Depot locations in Fort Lauderdale that sell boxes and other moving supplies—including packing foam, furniture covers, packing tape, and more.

Ace Hardware

Browse cardboard moving boxes ranging in size from 10.5x12x12 at $2.99 to 18x24x24 at $8.99 at Ace Hardware. With one location in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Ace Hardware also supplies items like box labels, lifting straps, and moving blankets.

Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage in Fort Lauderdale has cardboard moving boxes ranging from 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x18x24 at $5.99. There are over ten Extra Space Storage locations in Fort Lauderdale, selling a variety of affordable packing and moving supplies—like quilted moving pads, tie down products, bubble wrap, and more.

Pac-Up

If you'd prefer to rent your moving boxes, Pac-Up offers plastic moving box kits featuring two box sizes—27x17x12 and 28x20x15. Pricing varies based on the rental duration and number of boxes, with costs ranging from $100 to $300 for a one-week rental. You can also rent other moving supplies, such as moving blankets, hand trucks, and lifting straps. All rentals are delivered to your front door.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Fort Lauderdale

Once you've unpacked and organized your new home, get rid of your moving boxes in an eco-friendly way. You can donate or resell cardboard boxes through an online exchange program, or use a recycling service in Fort Lauderdale.

Wilton Manors Recycling Drop-Off Center

Residents of Broward County can drop off cardboard, packing paper, and other recyclables at the Wilton Manors recycling drop-off center, just outside Fort Lauderdale. Recyclables can be dropped off 24/7. Find this recycling center conveniently located at the southeast corner of NE 24th St and NE 12th Ave.

LoadUp

LoadUp accepts cardboard moving boxes and offers curbside pick-up for a small upfront fee. They specialize in door-to-door service and can be reached at (844) 239-7711 for details on pricing and availability. Their typical hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Take5 Recycling Program

Once a week, Fort Lauderdale collects residential recycling through the Take5 Recycling Program, which accepts five types of items—cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, and glass. On your assigned pick-up day, put your blue recycling container alongside the curb for collection.

WM

WM provides a 65-gallon cart for weekly curbside pick-up in Fort Lauderdale. Place your container along the curb by 7 a.m. on your pickup day. All corrugated cardboard boxes must be emptied and broken down before placing them in the cart.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time and day to get free boxes from stores?

The best time to get free boxes from stores in Fort Lauderdale is on weekday mornings, as many companies do overnight restocking—meaning they're emptying lots of boxes. Mid-week mornings are ideal since deliveries are fresh, and there are typically fewer people trying to track down boxes than there are on weekend days.

Can I legally retrieve boxes from store dumpsters or the recycling bin?

It’s not advisable to take boxes from store dumpsters in Fort Lauderdale without permission, as most are on private property. Ask store employees to set aside boxes for you instead, or find community exchange groups with free listings.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Fort Lauderdale, FL?

Yes, Extra Space Storage locations in Fort Lauderdale sell moving boxes, tape, and protective supplies to make packing easier. Buying from Extra Space Storage ensures you get durable, professional-grade materials for your move.

What moving box sizes are available at Extra Space Storage in Fort Lauderdale?

Extra Space Storage in Fort Lauderdale provides several box sizes:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): For dense items like books, fragile items, or kitchen goods.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): For clothing, dishes, or toys.

• Large Boxes (4.5-6 cu ft): For lightweight items like pillows, blankets, and lightweight food containers.

• Wardrobe Boxes: For hanging clothing and coats.

File Boxes: Designed to keep paperwork, records, and important documents secure and organized.

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Getting ready to move? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in Fort Lauderdale!