Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Los Angeles

Moving boxes are one of the most significant supply costs of any residential move. A properly sized box order for a two-bedroom apartment can run $80 to $150. For a larger home, boxes alone can cost $200 to $400 or more. But across Los Angeles, there are dozens of places where you can get sturdy, usable boxes at no cost — if you know where to look and how to ask.

LuxeMove has helped thousands of LA residents move over the years, and we've heard every box-sourcing story. Below is our comprehensive guide to finding free moving boxes in Los Angeles, organized by source type.

Online Communities: The Best Starting Point

Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing Groups

Buy Nothing groups are hyperlocal Facebook communities where neighbors give away items for free — no trades, no payment. Moving boxes and packing supplies are among the most frequently posted items in these groups.

To find your local group, search "Buy Nothing [your LA neighborhood]" on Facebook. Popular groups include:

• Buy Nothing Silver Lake / Echo Park
• Buy Nothing Santa Monica
• Buy Nothing Culver City
• Buy Nothing Koreatown
• Buy Nothing Studio City / Valley Village
• Buy Nothing Manhattan Beach
• Buy Nothing Pasadena

Post a request specifying the number and sizes of boxes you need and your timeline. It's common to walk away with a full car load — sometimes including tape, packing paper, and bubble wrap.

Facebook Marketplace is the other major option. Search "free moving boxes Los Angeles" under the Free category. Listings come and go quickly, so check daily once you're 3–4 weeks from your move date.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is a neighborhood social network where residents frequently post free moving supplies after completing a move. Search "moving boxes" on your local Nextdoor feed and post a request. Because Nextdoor is hyperlocal, pickups are typically nearby and convenient.

Craigslist Free Section

Craigslist's "Free" category under the LA listings often has moving boxes, particularly around May and June (peak LA moving season). Search frequently and act quickly — free box posts get many responses and disappear fast.

Retail and Business Sources

Liquor Stores

Liquor stores receive new inventory constantly in boxes that are extraordinarily useful for moving. Liquor boxes are:

• Typically double-walled and very sturdy
• Sized for bottles, making them perfect for glassware and kitchen items
• Often divided internally, providing built-in compartments for fragile items
• Consistent in size, which makes for efficient truck loading

Call ahead or walk in and ask the manager if you can have their empty boxes. Most liquor stores break down boxes daily and are happy to set them aside if asked politely. Try Bristol Farms, BevMo, Total Wine, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, and smaller independent liquor stores throughout the city.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores cycle through enormous quantities of boxes. The produce and dry goods sections receive daily deliveries in medium-weight boxes that work well for kitchen items, books, and household goods.

Visit the store in person and ask the produce manager or store manager directly. Calling rarely yields results — in-person requests are far more effective. Go in the morning when overnight shipments have been unpacked. Good options include:

• Whole Foods (multiple LA locations)
• Vons and Pavilions
• Ralphs
• Trader Joe's (though they often shred boxes quickly)
• Sprouts

Tip: Ask specifically for produce boxes if you want sturdier options. Bread and cereal boxes are lighter and less reliable.

Bookstores

Used bookstores and Barnes & Noble locations regularly have boxes they're happy to pass along. Book boxes are typically small, uniform in size, and very sturdy — perfect for actual books and dense household items.

In Los Angeles, try:

• The Last Bookstore (Downtown LA) — frequently has boxes from book donations
• Chevalier's Books (Larchmont)
• Vroman's Bookstore (Pasadena)

Office Supply Stores

Staples and Office Depot locations often have surplus or damaged-carton boxes from their own supply chains. Ask at the customer service desk — the answer is often yes. These are typically medium-duty boxes suitable for light to medium items.

U-Haul Box Exchange Program

U-Haul operates a "Box Exchange" board at many of its locations where recent movers can post excess boxes for free pickup. Visit uhaul.com/moving-supplies/free-moving-boxes to see current LA-area listings. These are real used moving boxes in good condition, often available in sets of 20 to 50.

Neighborhood-Specific Tips for Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city of constant movement — the combination of high rental turnover and a large population means someone is always finishing a move near you. A few area-specific tips:

Westside (Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City): High apartment turnover generates lots of free boxes. Check the free boards at community laundromats and building lobbies, which sometimes have stacks of boxes left by departing tenants.

Mid-City and Koreatown: Retail stores in these dense commercial neighborhoods go through enormous box volumes. Try smaller electronics shops, small-format grocery stores, and dry goods stores.

The Valley (Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino): Suburban neighborhoods have active Buy Nothing groups and tend to have less competition for free boxes than denser urban areas.

East LA and Boyle Heights: Local produce markets and tiendas often have produce boxes available. The boxes are typically solid and free for the asking.

South Bay (Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance): Costco and warehouse retail locations in this area frequently have excess boxes at the exit. Ask at customer service or check the designated free-box area near the entrance.

What to Look for in a Free Box

Not every free box is worth taking. Before accepting a box, check:

• Structural integrity: No crushing, delamination, or wet damage
• Seam integrity: No torn corners or open seams that won't re-seal
• Size consistency: Try to collect boxes in a few standard sizes rather than a chaotic mix
• No odor: Boxes from restaurants or food service can have persistent smells that transfer to your belongings

Avoid boxes from produce aisle floors that show signs of moisture exposure, and skip anything with visible mold or pest damage.

When Free Boxes Aren't Enough

Free boxes can cover a large portion of your standard moving box needs, but there are supplies you'll likely still need to purchase:

• Specialty dish-pack boxes for the kitchen
• Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
• Mirror/picture boxes for framed art
• Mattress bags
• Quality packing tape

These specialty items are generally not available for free and are worth buying new.

If you'd rather not spend time sourcing boxes at all, LuxeMove's full-service packing option includes all supplies — boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap, and specialty materials. It's the most efficient option for a busy schedule. Contact us for a quote.